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Meet THe Team
Use code EARLYBIRD through June 4 for 10% off. (Members, check your email for your special 20% off limited-time discount code.)
This summer, set your creative spirit ablaze with IGNITE!, our inaugural Writing Camp for Adults, to take place in the evenings on the week of July 28. You're welcome to attend all five sessions (at a discounted price!) or opt for individual drop-in sessions as you prefer.
Whether you’re tangled in the web of writer’s block, seeking to establish a steady writing practice, or simply in search of a creative community, IGNITE! is your beacon. Each evening, Monday through Friday, immerse yourself in transformative sessions led by a diverse lineup of instructors, each bringing their own innovative and possibly intersecting approaches to the craft of writing. Our camp caters to enthusiasts of all genres, aiming to motivate, inspire, and perhaps most importantly, to move you from inertia to action.
The grand finale? A celebratory open mic night in our cozy backyard setting, where participants, instructors, and community members alike gather to share and revel in the week's harvest of words over refreshing drinks.
Monday, July 28, 6-8pm: Jumpstart Your Writing Practice with Lisa Bubert
Tuesday, July 29, 6-8pm: Brainstorm Together with Meredith Lyons
Wednesday, July 30, 6-8pm: The Art of Inspiration—Taking Your Ideas to the Page with Lauren Nossett
Thursday, July 31, 6-8pm: Recovering a Sense of Play in Your Writing with Frank Ewert
Friday, August 1, 6-8pm: Beyond the Draft: A Writer’s Guide to What’s Next with Lauren Thoman
IGNITE! Open Mic Night: Friday, August 1, 8pm onwards
Wrap up IGNITE! Writing Camp with our Open Mic Night, a free event open to all writers. This celebration under the stars in The Porch’s backyard features a mix of stories, poems, and more, shared by a diverse group of voices. IGNITE! participants get priority sign-up, but all levels and genres are welcome. We’ll allot approximately five minutes per reader to ensure everyone has a chance to share their work. Enjoy drinks, refreshments, and the camaraderie of fellow writers. Whether you’re sharing or cheering on others, join us for an evening of community and creativity. Register here.
Lauren Thoman writes speculative fiction featuring diverse ensemble casts for teens and adults. Her debut novel, the timeslip mystery I'll Stop the World, was selected for publication in 2023 by six-time Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling through her eponymous imprint, Mindy's Book Studio, and was named a finalist for the Tennessee Book Award in 2024. Kaling said she was "dazzled" by the genre-bending novel, which she called "unputdownable." Lauren's sophomore novel, You Shouldn't Be Here, was published in 2024 by Thomas & Mercer.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Lauren now lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children in a chaotic household that includes a fluctuating number of rescue and foster dogs, and a somewhat alarming quantity of fish.
Lauren also works as a freelance pop culture writer with bylines in numerous online outlets including Parade, Vulture, and The Wrap. When she's not writing, she's probably on the hunt for tacos or coffee, poking around her flowerbeds, or buried underneath a pile of dogs.
"Lauren Thoman was an excellent teacher! Her organization, materials, and presentation were all top-notch. She was terrific at being welcoming to everyone, alternating between presenting material and group work, and encouraging participation without putting anyone on the spot. She took care of the time appropriately and made sure students were physically comfortable. The class was informative and also really fun to be part of. I'd love to take another class from her!"
"Lauren was a great instructor who was a good mix of inspiring and instructive. I would take a class with her again."
