Is your programming only geared towards experienced/published writers?

Absolutely not. wordsinhere is a community organization, and by community we mean everyone. Though some masterclasses might be geared to particular subjects and require a bit of writing already under your belt, most of them are open to aspiring writers as well as those who've been writing awhile. These are workshops that everyone will get something out of, no matter your experience level. They are non-competitive and safe spaces where you can share your work, experiences and questions. And most importantly, the masterclasses and writing groups are links in a large chain of our community here, connecting you to other writers—and, we hope, new friends.

Why take The Writer's Workshop over one of the other workshop programs in town?

Most other workshops in Amsterdam charge quite a lot of money, which is why our biggest concern with them is that most are led by folks who aren't publishing. So you'll take a workshop in short story from someone who has never published a short story. We know that publishing isn't everything, but we also know that there are hundreds of thousands of publishing opportunities out there. Basically every writer who works hard at what they do can get published now. Sure, I'd pay $400 to sit down with Anne Carson, but I wouldn't pay that to someone whose name isn't coming up in Google. You know what I mean?

Why are some of your workshops called "masterclasses"?

The term "masterclasses" refers to the writer who leads them, and does not exclude anyone from participating. What it means is that the workshop is led by a well-published, and (in some or many circles) a well-known writer. Our teachers aren't just folks who've read a "how to" book on teaching creative writing workshops. They write, publish, and work in the same things they'll be guiding you through, which means you can trust them and their experience.

What would becoming a member do for me?

The Versal membership is a true community initiative. It connects you directly to some of the exciting international stuff that is happening in the Netherlands. Writing is largely a solitary experience, but that doesn't mean you don't have a community. With the membership's incredible discounts, you'll have no excuse but to encourage your write side.