Word Play is a fun and creative exploration of writing and storytelling. We use a number of generative exercises to find inspiration in play, art, our imaginations, and the world around us. Students write, draw, act, and share their work aloud. The mix of structured and unstructured writing time lets students explore and practice elements of storytelling, written or visual. As in all our programs, we encourage students to share their work. Word Play is a fun and supportive place for reluctant writers and passionate storytellers, and is open to those new to The Telling Room as well as experienced writing veterans.

Story Sleuths is designed for students who are looking for various creative ways into the writing process. During the first few sessions, we dive into different generative exercises finding inspiration through play, our imaginations, and the world around us. Our investigations might take us for walks around the wharves or a trip to an art gallery. One year students even interviewed strangers for a podcast! During the second half of the program, students pick one of their story starts and work towards a polished piece. Story Sleuths is a fun and supportive place for reluctant writers and passionate storytellers, and is open to those new to The Telling Room as well as experienced writing veterans.

Works in Progress is designed for students working on a specific long-term writing project for which they'd like inspiration, creative space, and feedback. Using a workshop model, students share their work with peers and learn how to give and receive feedback. Works in Progress is a fun and supportive place for reluctant writers and passionate storytellers, and is open to those new to The Telling Room as well as experienced writing veterans.

Do you have a novel inside of you? A collection of poetry you’re bursting to share? Characters or stories that just won’t let you go? Each year, we work with four dedicated Maine teens to write, develop, and publish their own books through Young Emerging Authors, our fifteen month afterschool program for youth in grades 8 - 11 (at the time of application).

Do you have a passionate message you'd like to share? Something you need to get off your chest? Are you interested in working on your stage performance and/or delivery? Have you participated in another Telling Room program but still have more to write? Perhaps you just want to keep writing and feel it’s time to dig in again and find your SECOND STORY!

SWARM! (Student Writers and Readers Meet!) is a virtual network of youth writing groups across the State of Maine. Whether you are writing in Boothbay, Vassalboro, Kittery, Trenton, Camden, Orono, Passadumkeag, or anywhere in Maine — we are here for all of you!

In this semester-based program, Publishing Workshop participants take the lead in youth publishing, learning about the book publishing industry through hands-on work. Over the course of the year, we work together to create and publish an anthology of young writers’ work. Students learn writing, publishing, communication, and leadership skills through the real-time editorial and production processes. 

Young Writers & Leaders is a free, nine-month afterschool literary arts education program exclusively for high school students with international and multicultural backgrounds. We select 24 students a year through a competitive application and interview process to participate for nine months.

The Telling Room offers a college essay workshop led by our college essay expert, Program Director Nick Whiston. Each workshop offers four hours of small-group instruction and individual revising support.

April and Summer break camp registration is now open!

Word Play is a fun and creative exploration of writing and storytelling. We use a number of generative exercises to find inspiration in play, art, our imaginations, and the world around us. Students write, draw, act, and share their work aloud. The mix of structured and unstructured writing time lets students explore and practice elements of storytelling, written or visual. As in all our programs, we encourage students to share their work. Word Play is a fun and supportive place for reluctant writers and passionate storytellers, and is open to those new to The Telling Room as well as experienced writing veterans.

Story Sleuths is designed for students who are looking for various creative ways into the writing process. During the first few sessions, we dive into different generative exercises finding inspiration through play, our imaginations, and the world around us. Our investigations might take us for walks around the wharves or a trip to an art gallery. One year students even interviewed strangers for a podcast! During the second half of the program, students pick one of their story starts and work towards a polished piece. Story Sleuths is a fun and supportive place for reluctant writers and passionate storytellers, and is open to those new to The Telling Room as well as experienced writing veterans.

Works in Progress is designed for students working on a specific long-term writing project for which they'd like inspiration, creative space, and feedback. Using a workshop model, students share their work with peers and learn how to give and receive feedback. Works in Progress is a fun and supportive place for reluctant writers and passionate storytellers, and is open to those new to The Telling Room as well as experienced writing veterans.

Do you have a novel inside of you? A collection of poetry you’re bursting to share? Characters or stories that just won’t let you go? Each year, we work with four dedicated Maine teens to write, develop, and publish their own books through Young Emerging Authors, our fifteen month afterschool program for youth in grades 8 - 11 (at the time of application).

Do you have a passionate message you'd like to share? Something you need to get off your chest? Are you interested in working on your stage performance and/or delivery? Have you participated in another Telling Room program but still have more to write? Perhaps you just want to keep writing and feel it’s time to dig in again and find your SECOND STORY!

SWARM! (Student Writers and Readers Meet!) is a virtual network of youth writing groups across the State of Maine. Whether you are writing in Boothbay, Vassalboro, Kittery, Trenton, Camden, Orono, Passadumkeag, or anywhere in Maine — we are here for all of you!

In this semester-based program, Publishing Workshop participants take the lead in youth publishing, learning about the book publishing industry through hands-on work. Over the course of the year, we work together to create and publish an anthology of young writers’ work. Students learn writing, publishing, communication, and leadership skills through the real-time editorial and production processes. 

Young Writers & Leaders is a free, nine-month afterschool literary arts education program exclusively for high school students with international and multicultural backgrounds. We select 24 students a year through a competitive application and interview process to participate for nine months.

The Telling Room offers a college essay workshop led by our college essay expert, Program Director Nick Whiston. Each workshop offers four hours of small-group instruction and individual revising support.

Workshops are conveniently nestled between field trips and residencies as a medium length programming option, and we are able to host them at our writing center in Portland or travel to schools and other sites. Workshops typically last 4 to 10 hours over multiple visits.

As a teacher, there are times when it may not be possible for your class to visit us for a field trip, or you may have a whole classroom of students you want to immerse in the writer's world. Our writers and artists can come to you for an in-school residency.

Field trips are back for the school year! To arrange a visit for your students to come to The Telling Room, contact Program Director Nick Whiston at nick@tellingroom.org.