What is Amherst Writers & Artists?
Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) is a non-profit arts organization founded on the belief that every person is a writer.
Its mission is to support the voices of established and emerging writers, to free silenced and marginalized voices, and to promote respect for the artist in all writers.
“AWA groups are non-hierarchical: Nobody’s an expert, and everyone’s ideas are respected. You are the authority on your creative practice.”
— Amherst Writers & Artists
Pat Schneider (1934–2020), who founded Amherst Writers & Artists in 1981, authored ten books of poetry, plays, and memoir. She grew up in tenements and in an orphanage until she received a scholarship to college. Later she developed the AWA method while leading community-based writing workshops for women living in the Chicopee Housing Project in western Massachusetts.
The Amherst Writers Method
AWA’s core belief is simple: anyone who writes is a writer, and every writer deserves a safe environment in which to experiment, learn, and develop craft.
The AWA method — a set of philosophies and practices — forms the foundation of each workshop.
“When we stay with the writing, rather than focus on the writer behind the words, no subject is too big.” — Pat Schneider
Essential Affirmations:
Everyone is born with creative genius and has a strong, unique voice.
Writing as an art form belongs to all people, regardless of economic class or educational experience.
Craft can be learned (or taught) without damage to a writer’s original voice or artistic self-esteem.
A writer is someone who writes.
Essential Practices
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We maintain a non-hierarchical spirit: Everyone’s writing, including the group leader’s, is treated with equal value.
Writers are encouraged, but not expected, to read their work aloud. The workshop facilitator writes along with the group and reads at least once during each session, sharing risk-taking and mutual trust.
There is no “better or best” comparison or competition in the creative process.
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We hold all the writing in strict confidence.
We do not assume any writing is about the writer, an approach that protects their privacy.
We do not discuss or share others’ writing outside the workshop with each other or anyone else.
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We listen attentively, allowing ourselves to enter the world created on the page — without preconceived ideas about what a story should be, how a poem should sound, or what we might do differently.
We leave our own expectations, assumptions, and anecdotal experiences behind — without adding our own story.
Our focus stays with what has been written.
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Writing exercises invite experimentation and growth, without crushing the creative genius.
We treat all writing as story, as poetic expression, as literature, as art. We listen for and notice the craft choices a writer has made.
We respond to elements like vivid imagery, description, dialogue, musicality/rhythm, storytelling or poetic structure, syntax, narrative voice, etc. that help to create success in the writing.
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We address the “Narrator,” “Protagonist,” or “Character(s)” when referring to the narrative voice/speaker, persona, or characters in a piece of writing.
We don’t refer to “You” (the Writer/Author) as we offer feedback, even if there's an “I” (first-person) point-of-view in the piece.
Feedback is offered to the writing, not to the life of the person writing. The writing and the writer are separate. This practice protects the writer’s privacy.
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Our responses to just-written work mirror back what caught our attention, what was memorable, what stayed with us, or what effect the writing created.
We do not direct any criticism, craft questions, or negative comments toward the writer.
We do not offer suggestions for what should happen to the writing. No response is about fixing the writer or the writing.
Writers who find creative freedom with the Amherst Writers method say:
AWA is a graceful way to integrate creative writing into our lives.
The responses are heartfelt: a source of warmth to break isolation.
Hearing others care about my characters revitalized my writing.
I appreciate the generosity of responding meaningfully to each other’s work.
I love everyone’s positive input and willingness to share.
AWA is like learning a new language. The writing takes on a life of its own.
It’s a powerful, affirming methodology that resonates.
Let’s work together!
Learn more about how Pencil & Pen can support your writing life.