CRAIG FERGUSON AMONG NAMES AT EVENT.
The next Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop (the 10th offering of the biennial workshop held at University of Dayton) will be April 5-7, 2018.
If you’re wondering why I’m telling you about it now, it’s because registration opens at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 5.
And if past workshops are an indicator, registration will close out quickly — the 2016 workshop sold out in less than six hours.
In case you’d like to sit with your fingers poised over the keyboard in anticipation of the registration link, here’s the workshop’s website: humorwriters.org.
But since a few days remain before the registration link goes live, you might also enjoy knowing that the workshop will feature 30 writing instructors (disclosure: including this columnist) and five celebrity writers and entertainers as keynoters:
■ Craig Ferguson, comedian, actor, writer and, for 10 entertaining years, the madcap host of “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” will kick off the workshop. An author of two books, he won two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Game Show Host for “Celebrity Name Game,” and can be heard nightly on “The Craig Ferguson Show” on SiriusXM.
■ Liza Donnelly, award-winning cartoonist with The New Yorker magazine, resident cartoonist for CBS News and author/ editor of 18 books.
■ John Grogan, author of the international No. 1 bestseller “Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog,” a memoir and numerous children’s books.
■ Karen Walrond, bestselling author, photographer, coach and speaker who inspires others to find and celebrate their own uniqueness, through the power of storytelling.
■ Monica Piper, Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and stand-up comic who has written for sitcoms “Roseanne,” “Mad About You” and “Veronica’s Closet,” and was the head writer of the popular children’s animated series “Rugrats.”
The registration fee is $450 with a number of free scholarships available for University of Dayton students.
Additionally, the Washington Twp.-Centerville Public Library will offer its Erma Bombeck Writing Competition, with the winner receiving $500 and a free registration. Writers, you have from 8 a.m. Dec. 4, through 8 a.m. Jan. 3 to enter. Here is the link for more information and rules: wclibrary.info/erma
I asked Teri Rizvi, the workshop’s founder and director, for her thoughts on the 10th offering of the biennial workshop.
“When we started the workshop in 2000, we envisioned it as a one-time event to bring national visibility to the donation of Erma’s papers to the University of Dayton. Never in our wildest dreams did we envision how wildly popular this would become — much through word of mouth. That speaks to the power of Erma’s legacy, the support of the Bombeck family and the University of Dayton, and the testimony from writers across the nation that this workshop has made a real difference in their lives,” Teri said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled — or humbled.”
Learn more about the workshop — what it offers writers and its history — at www.humorwriters.org
Upcoming literary events
■ Tuesday, Dec. 5, 7 p.m., Boonshoft CJCE (525 Versailles Drive, Centerville) — Dr. David Novick shares his finding in his book, “A Gastroenterologist’s Guide to Gut Health.” Register at http:// www.jewishdayton.org/ gastroenterologists-guidegut-health-dr-david-novick
■ Wednesday, Dec. 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Oakwood Starbucks, 2424 Far Hills Ave. — Word’s Worth Writing Center (www.wordsworthdayton.com) offers “First Wednesday Writing Workout” with author and creative-writing instructor Katrina Kittle. These sessions will offer writing prompts, the time to explore them, a mini-craft lesson, loads of tips, and the opportunity to share impromptu pieces. See the website to register.
■ Thursday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m., Boonshoft CJCE (525 Versailles Drive, Centerville) — Journalist Abigal Pogrebin shares her experiences in researching, observing and writing about every Jewish holiday on the calendar in her book, “My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew.” Register at http:// www.jewishdayton.org/ my-jewish-year-18-holidaysone-wondering-jew-journalist-abigail-pogrebin
■ Friday, Dec. 8, 7-9 p.m., Vernet Ecological Building, 400 Corry St., Yellow Springs — The sixth annual Solstice Poetry Reading, co-sponsored by Tecumseh Land Trust and Glen Helen, will feature 14 poets from southwest Ohio reading original work, followed by a wine and cheese reception, and an open mic session. This year’s theme is “Endings and Beginnings.” Glen Helen requests a $5 donation. Contact krista@ tecumsehlandtrust.org or call 767-9490 for more information.
■ Monday, Dec. 11, 1-3 p.m., Washington Twp.-Centerville Public Library, Centerville Library Lobby, 111 Spring Valley Road — This month’s “2nd Monday Authors” program will feature Bob Welbom, and his book “The Cactus Who Wanted to Be a Christmas Tree,” and V.L. Marsell, “A Christmas Star Wish.”
■ Monday, Dec. 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Oakwood Starbucks, 2424 Far Hills Ave. — Word’s Worth Writing Center (www.wordsworthdayton.com) offers “First Chapters, First Impressions” with author and creative writing instructor Katrina Kittle. This class explores how to craft an opening with story promise that pulls the reader into the story world. See the website to register.
■ Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Oakwood Starbucks, 2424 Far Hills Ave. — Word’s Worth Writing Center (www.wordsworthdayton.com) offers “The Writer’s 12-Step Program: Write Your Novel In A Year” with author and creative writing instructor Katrina Kittle. This series breaks down the process of drafting a novel into a year’s worth of sessions, which may be attended as a one-off or as a monthly class. December’s focus is “Research Tips and Traps.” See the website to register.