Exciting Writing Opportunities in Erie and Western PA

This one is for our writers! We have some awesome upcoming opportunities that I found or were shared with me by Casey of Erie Arts and Culture. If you’ve been looking for a place to get your work out of your notebook and into the world, there is a huge literary arts community just up the road and in Erie, and they are ready to welcome you.

Here is the “must-know” list for every writer in the Syndicate:

1. The Local Champions: Werner Books & Main Street Rag

Support is the lifeblood of a writing career, and these two organizations are leading the charge:

Werner Books: They aren’t just a bookstore; they are champions for regional writers. They host author events and actively stock local works. If you want to see how they support the community, visit:https://www.wernerbooks.com/local
The Main Street Rag: Based in Edinboro, this publisher has a massive output and a deep commitment to supporting local writers. They are a powerhouse resource for those looking to move toward publication.https://mainstreetrag.com/

2. Poetry & Slam: Grassroots and Growing

If your heart beats in stanzas, you need to be connected to these two groups:

NWPA Poetry: This is a fantastic monthly group that uses a grassroots email chain to blast out opportunities for readings and professional development. Their website is a simple landing page—go there and sign up for their newsletter immediately to stay in the loop.https://nwpapoetry.com
Erie Slam: Hosted by Jordan Bubin, a slam poet and educator who is revitalizing the local scene. He curates a monthly calendar of poetry events and slams that are high-energy and inclusive.https://erieslam.com

3. Workshops at the Erie Art Museum

This spring, the Erie Art Museum is hosting Clayton Bradshaw-Mittal, EAC’s Mid-Career Artist Fellow, for a series of transformative writing workshops. These are incredible opportunities to sharpen your craft at an accessible price point:

Shorthand Stories—Experimental Flash Fiction A 3-session workshop exploring the power of the short form. Dates: Wednesdays—April 8th, 15th, and 22nd (5:00–6:30 PM).Cost: Pay what you can ($0–$30).Link: https://www.erieartmuseum.org/flash-fiction
Writing Visual Art: Ekphrastic Poetry and Prose Learn to translate the visual into the verbal in this 1-session workshop. Date: Saturday, April 18th (1:00–3:00 PM).Cost: Included with Museum admission (donations go to Compton’s Table).Link: https://www.erieartmuseum.org/ekphrastic-poetry
The Audacity: Queer Imaginaries in Art and Writing A 1-session seminar focusing on queer perspectives in creative work. Date: Wednesday, April 29th (5:30–8:00 PM).Cost: Included with Museum admission.Link: https://www.erieartmuseum.org/the-audacity

4. Big Summer Deadline: Bridge Journal

Looking ahead to June, the Bridge Literary Arts Center is seeking submissions for their 2026 Journal. This is a fantastic way to get published locally with no entry fee.

Deadline: June 1, 2026
Requirements: Max 2,000 words for prose/plays or up to 3 poems/art pieces. Include a 150-word bio.
How to Apply: Email submissions to bridgelitjournal@gmail.com
Full Details: http://www.bridgeliteraryartscenter.org/journal.html

Writers: We want to hear from you. Are you planning on attending any of these workshops? Do you have a local writers’ group we missed? Respond to this post or bring it up at our next meeting!

5. More Western PA Gems

Beyond Erie and Oil City, our neighbors in the broader Western PA region have some heavy-hitting resources for writers:

The Ligonier Valley Writers: They host a variety of workshops and an annual conference. They also publish The Loyalhanna Review.Link: https://www.lvwriters.org/
Write Pittsburgh: A fantastic resource for writers of all ages. They offer workshops and “Write-Ins” to help you find that “3rd place” vibe for your literary work.Link: https://www.writepittsburgh.com/
Madwomen in the Attic (Carlow University): One of the oldest and most respected writing programs in the state, offering workshops and a literary journal (Voices from the Attic) that accepts submissions from regional writers.Link: https://www.carlow.edu/about/centers/madwomen-in-the-attic/
The Creative Nonfiction Foundation: Based in Pittsburgh, they provide workshops and resources for anyone writing memoir, essays, or true stories.Link: https://www.creativenonfiction.org/

6. National Grant: The Andy Warhol Arts Writers Grant

If you are an art historian, critic, or a writer strongly engaged with contemporary visual art, this is a major opportunity to fund your research or publication projects.

The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant: This program awards grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 for original ideas, research, or criticism pertaining to contemporary visual art (post-WWII). They fund articles, books, short-form writing, and translations.
2026 Deadline: May 6, 2026 (Application is currently OPEN!)
Link: https://www.artswriters.org/

7. Book Fairs & Festivals To Keep On Your Radar (More To Come)

If you have a finished book or chapbook, these Western PA festivals are the perfect places to secure a table and meet your audience:

The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books: A massive annual event featuring dozens of local authors, workshops, and exhibitors. This is one of the premier spots in the state to network with other writers.Link: https://www.pittsburghbookfestival.org/
Erie Lit Fest: A newer, vibrant celebration of the literary arts in Erie. This festival is a fantastic touchpoint for regional writers looking to engage with a community of readers and fellow authors.Link: https://www.erielitfest.com/

Stay creative,

Rafi & Klee