The creative writing community in Rockland, particularly in Nyack, is thriving. Lucky us to live in such a creative place.
Still, it’s not always easy to know how to connect with other writers. Here are some ways to do it plus — bonus! — a multidisciplinary organization that offers resources for writers.
Next up in the series: events for book lovers.
Editor’s note: Thank you to Lily Greenberg for her input on this article.
The All Ways Writing Collective
The first and best local stop for connecting with the local writing community is The All Ways Writing Collective. Poet, educator, and organizer Lily Greenberg launched the organization in 2023, building on the work of the now inactive River River literary organization. Currently, about 400 writers find inspiration, support, community, and connection through weekly Writing Circles, Write Nights, readings, and events. Here’s some of what All Ways Writing offers.
Writing Circles
In this event facilitated by different creative writers each week, participants are given a prompt and about 45 minutes to write, then have the option of sharing what they created. It’s a warm, welcoming group open to creative writers working in any genre with any level of experience.
Every Thursday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Creative Arts Workshop, 171 Main Street, Nyack. $10 payable in cash to the facilitator at the event.
Write Night
Writing can be lonely; not at Write Night, where you can work silently in the vibey upstairs room of Prohibition River on your writing alongside other writers, and can order a drink or food if you like. In the last 15 minutes, you’re invited to share how your writing went.
Every first Tuesday of the month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Prohibition River (usually upstairs in its Rose Hall), 82 Main Street, Nyack. Free, but good to register).
Readings
All Ways Writing partners with other organizations in the Nyack community to hold public readings. These include: poetry readings at Big Red Books pairing visiting guest poets with local community poets; prose salon-style readings at Marydell Faith & Life Center featuring a smattering of local prose writers; and environmental themed-readings at River Hook Preserve (among others). Typically free and open to the public, these readings are a great way to get a sense of who in your community is out here writing — and hopefully be inspired in the process.
Watch All Ways Writing’s website, Substack, and Events page for future opportunities.
Writing Workshops at Bookstores and the Library
Some local independent bookstores offer writing workshops, sometimes in collaboration with authors and other organizations. They’re a great way to meet and connect with other writers. Be sure to check the bookstores’ websites frequently to see what they’re offering; the following are coming up.
The Sparkle Bookstore in Sparkill
May 13: Poetry Workshop with Juan Pable Mobili: Making Our Poems Stronger, Together. A workshop with Rockland’s poet laureate.
June 3 and 17: Prose Writing Circle with Rebecca Watkins and Donna Miele: A chance fiction and nonfiction writers to share their work, discuss goals, and offer feedback. $10 per meeting.
Big Red Books in Nyack
July 1, 8, 15, and 22: Fiction Writing Workshop with Big Red Books owner and author Richie Fulco. [link to article]
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2026/04/a-page-in-the-life/
Nyack Library
June 2 and 16: OWL Writers Group, Nyack Library Community Room, 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. This is Nyack Library’s ongoing poetry workshop, which is specifically for older writers to experience an ongoing morning of creativity and conversation.
Spoken Word Poetry
The Rockland Poets
If you’re interested in performing spoken word poetry — and sometimes competing — the Rockland Poets organization may be a good fit for you.
Bonus! Multidisciplinary Resources for Writers
The Arts Council of Rockland
Though it’s a multidisciplinary arts organization that’s not exclusively devoted to writing, the Arts Council of Rockland (ACOR) oversees the Rockland County Poet Laureate Program, and offers several writing-related resources, including grant opportunities, professional development workshops, and more.
