Our Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

As a precaution to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and care for our community, Just Buffalo Literary Center has postponed a number of events, and we will follow the guidance of Buffalo Public Schools in terms of Just Buffalo Writing Center programming.

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LIT CITY: On The Move

LIT CITY: On The Move is a public art collaboration between Just Buffalo Literary Center and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) that brings poems by local writers to bus shelters, rail stations, and buses throughout the city of Buffalo.

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BABEL 2021–2022

Four of the world’s greatest writers, on stage at Kleinhans Music Hall. Just Buffalo Literary Center is excited to announce the return of a full four-event BABEL season in 2021-2022, once again creating a global literary conversation right here in Buffalo.

Just Buffalo Writing Center Workshops 2022

Writing Workshops

Join us for an array of writing workshops for both teens and adults at the Just Buffalo Writing Center.

Upcoming Writing Workshops

January 2022
Story Sharing Circle on Climate Change

Story Sharing Circle on Climate Change with Ujima Company (Hybrid)

At this time, all January workshops will be conducted virtually only. During this special session, we’ll embark on a story sharing circle with the young artists/performers of Ujima Company considering these questions. Then we’ll create art (all genres welcome) to process our stories and the conversation. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Thursday, January 27, 2022
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
February 2022
Cardioversion with Julio Valentin

Cardioversion with Julio Montalvo Valentín (Hybrid)

We are often told to write our hearts into the page. Just as often, we find that many things we write feel incomplete or sound “off-beat.” This workshop aims to identify the heart defects in past pieces of poetry and prose, and utilize “cardioversion:” a form of revision that shocks rhyme and/or rhythm into being. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Curious Essays with Laura Marris

Curious Essays with Laura Marris (Hybrid)

In this two-part writing workshop, we will explore the unfolding beauty of the essay form and the ways it can capture your curiosity on the page. This adult writing workshop is limited to 12 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Saturday, February 5, 2022
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Office Hours

Office Hours (Hybrid)

At this time, all January workshops will be conducted virtually only. Office Hours is a space (and time) where young people can receive one-on-one feedback on any of type of writing. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Just Buffalo Writing Center - Open Share - Youth Workshop 2022

Open Share (Hybrid)

At this time, all January workshops will be conducted virtually only. Open Share is a time for you to share any of your creations, thoughts, and inspirations with peers. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Thursday, February 10, 2022
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Teachers Are Writers with Katie Naughton

Teachers Are Writers with Katie Naughton (Hybrid)

This teacher workshop series is aimed at school teachers and educators so they will have the opportunity to explore their own creative work, engage in ongoing conversations about process, and grow as writers. This workshop is FREE and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. CTLE credit is available through the Buffalo State English Education program. ...
Thursday, February 10, 2022
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Curious Essays with Laura Marris

Curious Essays with Laura Marris (Hybrid)

In this two-part writing workshop, we will explore the unfolding beauty of the essay form and the ways it can capture your curiosity on the page. This adult writing workshop is limited to 12 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Saturday, February 12, 2022
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Building Character with Richie Wills

Building Character with Richie Wills (Hybrid)

In this workshop we will explore how to go about creating characters that shape your narrative and what makes a reader care deeply about a character to the point where they remember them long after reading. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
LeRoi's Universe with LeRoi Johnson

LeRoi’s Universe: Writing Inside Paintings w/ Burchfield Penney Art Center & LeRoi Johnson (Hybrid)

During this workshop, we’ll write inspired by the universes inside the paintings of Buffalo-based artist LeRoi Johnson. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Thursday, February 17, 2022
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
March 2022
Japanese Manga with Max Weiss

Japanese Manga Workshop with Max Weiss (Hybrid)

Are you a fan of Sailor Moon, Naruto, or One Piece? What about popular anime titles such as Cowboy Bebop, Dragon Ball Z, or the films of Hayoao Miyazaki? This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
The Everday Memori with Mike Scalise

The Everyday Memoir with Mike Scalise (Hybrid)

In this three-session adult writing workshop, we will search everywhere but our bookshelves for the building blocks of essays and memoirs, then use what we find to improve our personal writing in new, exciting ways. This adult writing workshop is limited to 12 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Trends, Fads, and Phases in Color with Danny Merlino

Trends, Fads, and Phases: In Color! with Danny Merlino (Hybrid)

This youth writing workshop centers around the works of cartoonist Alison Bechdel and her graphic novels, The Secret to Superhuman Strength, which is featured in her 2022 BABEL visit, as well as Fun Home. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Thursday, March 3, 2022
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Office Hours

Office Hours (Hybrid)

At this time, all January workshops will be conducted virtually only. Office Hours is a space (and time) where young people can receive one-on-one feedback on any of type of writing. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
The Everday Memori with Mike Scalise

The Everyday Memoir with Mike Scalise (Hybrid)

In this three-session adult writing workshop, we will search everywhere but our bookshelves for the building blocks of essays and memoirs, then use what we find to improve our personal writing in new, exciting ways. This adult writing workshop is limited to 12 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Just Buffalo Writing Center - Open Share - Youth Workshop 2022

Open Share (Hybrid)

At this time, all January workshops will be conducted virtually only. Open Share is a time for you to share any of your creations, thoughts, and inspirations with peers. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Thursday, March 10, 2022
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Teachers Are Writers with D. Arthur

Teachers Are Writers with D. Arthur (Hybrid)

This teacher workshop series is aimed at school teachers and educators so they will have the opportunity to explore their own creative work, engage in ongoing conversations about process, and grow as writers. This workshop is FREE and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. CTLE credit is available through the Buffalo State English Education program. ...
Thursday, March 10, 2022
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Office Hours

Office Hours (Hybrid)

At this time, all January workshops will be conducted virtually only. Office Hours is a space (and time) where young people can receive one-on-one feedback on any of type of writing. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
The Everday Memori with Mike Scalise

The Everyday Memoir with Mike Scalise (Hybrid)

In this three-session adult writing workshop, we will search everywhere but our bookshelves for the building blocks of essays and memoirs, then use what we find to improve our personal writing in new, exciting ways. This adult writing workshop is limited to 12 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Just Buffalo Writing Center - Open Share - Youth Workshop 2022

Open Share (Hybrid)

At this time, all January workshops will be conducted virtually only. Open Share is a time for you to share any of your creations, thoughts, and inspirations with peers. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Thursday, March 24, 2022
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
Automatic Writing with Gabriel Bump

Automatic Writing with Gabriel Bump (Hybrid)

In this workshop, we'll fall into our thoughts. Students will try to write without pausing, without second-guessing themselves. We'll get lost in our writing, find a trance-like state, stumble, maybe, onto something revelatory. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
End Of The World Summit with Birch Kinsey

End of the World Summit with Birch Kinsey (Hybrid)

In this workshop we’ll create characters and lore imagining a summit to stop the end of the world. Then, in Dungeons & Dragons-style, we’ll improv our way through the summit and, hopefully, towards the saving of our future planet. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Thursday, March 31, 2022
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
April 2022
Office Hours

Office Hours (Hybrid)

At this time, all January workshops will be conducted virtually only. Office Hours is a space (and time) where young people can receive one-on-one feedback on any of type of writing. This youth writing workshop is FREE, aimed at young students aged 12–18, and limited to 10 in-person participants with the option to join virtually. ...
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Just Buffalo Writing Center
468 Washington Street, 2nd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14203
Get Tickets Now View Event
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About Just Buffalo

Support Just Buffalo

Make an Online Donation

From the BABEL series to the Writing Center, everything that we do depends on your help. Show your support for Just Buffalo and the literary arts today.

Become a Member

Join Just Buffalo Literary Center today and save on select events, participate in members-only groups and contests, and get a 10% discount at Talking Leaves Books.

Volunteer

Want to give the gift of your time? Just Buffalo reviews volunteer applications on a rolling basis, with interviews in August and December for the following season.

  • If you’ve resolved to get your story idea on the page this year, novelist & teaching artist Nishant Batsha is here to help! In this Q&A, Nishant joins us to talk about the writing process, woodworking as a metaphor for story form, and how to find a rhythm.

    Author ImageMeghan Pipe
    03 January, 2022

  • We can't wait to welcome you to BABEL on Thursday, Nov. 18, for an evening with novelist Chang-rae Lee. Here, you'll find FAQs for event attendance, whether in-person on online.

    Author ImageMeghan Pipe
    17 November, 2021

  • JBWC writer Zelda has two poems out in the newest issue of Illustoria, a print magazine for creative kids & their grownups. Learn more about the yodeling goats Zelda dreamed up, the writers and books she's inspired by, and her NaNoWriMo goals for this year.

    Author ImageMeghan Pipe
    05 November, 2021

  • We can't wait to welcome you to BABEL this Thursday, Oct. 14, for Aminatta Forna. Below, you'll find FAQs for event attendance.

    Author ImageMeghan Pipe
    11 October, 2021

  • Saturday’s Silo City Reading Series finale let us extend the feeling of summer just a little longer—more warmth, more discovery, more time to explore & celebrate art in one of Buffalo’s most iconic spaces. So much gratitude to Danez Smith, Jazz De Nero, dntwatchtv, and Steve Baczkowski for bringing us together with your art. Until next summer, friends.

    Author ImageNoah Falck
    26 September, 2021

  • Work with us! Just Buffalo Literary Center is currently accepting applications for contracted Program Assistants to help with readings, events, and creative writing workshops for youth, teachers, and adults. Read the full job description & responsibilities here. Applications are due Sept. 16, 2021, with notifications in early October. Questions? Email info@justbuffalo.org with “Program Assistant” in the subject line.

    Author ImageMeghan Pipe
    26 August, 2021