Workshop Frequently Asked Questions

Does Inkberry have workshop guidelines?

Indeed we do! Our guidelines are designed to give students a safe, supportive, constructive workshop experience. You can read them here.

What’s the ambience like at an Inkberry workshop?

Friendly and constructive. We work hard to make sure that our instructors are top-notch, and that they provide their students with a fun, safe atmosphere in which to learn the tools of the writing craft. (See our workshop guidelines for more on that.)

Who teaches Inkberry workshops?

Our roster of teachers varies each term. You can read about this season’s instructors here.

Who takes Inkberry workshops?

Our students have ranged in age from teens to senior citizens, and in level of experience from “lots” (people who write professionally or who have been writing for a long time) to “none” (people who’ve never tried creative writing before), with everything in between. Different workshops are geared towards different experience levels.

How many people are usually in an Inkberry workshop?

That depends. Most workshop instructors choose to cap their workshops at a certain number of student, although some will take as many people as want to come. Usually our workshops range in size between four and twelve people; six to eight students is average.

Can I take a Master Class if I’m just a beginner?

This varies by the class; some of the visiting writers who teach Master Classes purposely structure their workshops to be accessible to beginning writers as well as more advanced students. Others are specifically geared towards intermediate and advanced writers. The workshop description is a good way to judge; if the class sounds like something you’d enjoy, that’s probably a sign that you’re ready for it.

What if I want to take a workshop but can’t afford it?

For classes that take place at Inkberry, we have a generous work-study policy that lets you trade volunteer time for class time. Contact Inkberry at inkberry@inkberry.org or 413-664-0775 to find out more.

We don’t currently have a work-study program for online classes, but we may develop one soon, so if this interests you, contact us.

What if I sign up for a workshop but change my mind at the last minute?

Check out our official refund policy, below, and if you have other questions it doesn’t cover, drop us an email.

REFUND POLICY: Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Placement cannot be confirmed until tuition is received. In the event that the class you request cannot accommodate you, Inkberry will return your payment in full, and you will be entitled to priority enrollment in our next session of classes. CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel your enrollment at least 48 hours before the next class meeting, Inkberry will return your payment in full. If you cancel your enrollment less than 48 hours before the first class, you are entitled to a 75% refund; after the first class meeting, a 50% refund; you cannot receive a refund for enrollment cancelled after the second class meeting.