Ernest Hemingway once quipped: “Write drunk, edit sober.” And long after his death, it's still pretty applicable advice. Tonight the Miami Writers Institute is hosting an evening happy hour for program participants and Miami locals interested in writing and publishing.
The Miami Writers Institute, part of the Center for Literature and Theatre at Miami Dade College (MDC), is a twice-annual creative writing conference. The micro-courses range from one to four days long and take place in November during the Miami Book Fair International and in May after MDC’s semester ends. And Wednesday, a new crop of writers began their workshops on fictional and non-fictional topics ranging from graphic storytelling with George O’Connor to poetry with Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Additionally, this year includes a manuscript consultation workshop with literary agent Andy Kifer
Celebrating its tenth anniversary of workshops this year, the institute aims to unite professional and nonprofessional writers and provide affordable, not-for-credit instruction to help them improve their skills and achieve their literary goals. And with each edition of courses, the group of participants diversifies even more.
Lisette Mendez, director or programs at the Center for Writing and Literature says, “The Miami Writers Institute has really contributed to our city’s reputation as a smart city that appreciates culture. People also come from outside the area, from other states and that makes me feel great!”
And because these workshops are attracting more and more people, The Miami Writers Institute has organized a happy hour that's free and open to the public to encourage writers to network, mix and mingle, and, of course, share their work.
Tonight, the workshops wind down with a free and open event — happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m. at Books & Books’ newest location at the Adrienne Arsht Center (1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami). Participants are encouraged to head to DRB afterwards for live music and more drinks.
“Writers can feel solitary,” she continues. “[This] event gives writers a place to write with fellowship and refreshments and food. We do it free because we just want to provide an environment to bring together people through a shared love of books and writing.”
So get going and get drunk with some literary friends.
For more information, visit thecenteratmdc.org.