Wildlife and nature

Animal shelters and rescues

Theater and dance

Rivers, parks and trails

Hunger and food

Schools and learning

Housing and homelessness

Community health

Mental health

Mentoring and foster care

Legal help and rights

Jobs and money help

Atlanta

The Triangle

Everywhere

The Collective Workshop

Royal Animal Refuge

Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta

Georgia Advancing Communities Together

Atlanta Writers Club

Cobb Collaborative

Bosleys Place

Jewish Fertility Foundation

Redbud Writing Project Community or Ganization is a tax-exempt nonprofit that runs writing classes, including classes for survivors of domestic violence.

Redbud 2027 Year Long Novel Intensive

Redbud 2027 Year Long Nonfiction Intensive

Redbud Writing Gala and Fundraiser 2026

Canopy Mixer & Writing Time

Redbud Class Reading

Redbud Grand Opening Party

Buy Coppice Prize anthology

Give

What Happens at a Redbud Class Reading--Plus: Some Reading Tips — Writing Classes in Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Notes from a Magical Week at Redbud’s International Writing Retreat in Portugal — Writing Classes in Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Student Spotlight: Benjamin Bradley — Writing Classes in Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Red McClung

Jason Jefferies

Tammy Blackard Cook

Sam Delgado

Dasia Moore

Jill McCorkle

Catherine Peng

It's all haaaapening!! Gala prep is underway and we're so excited to see you all there tomorrow! Just a few tickets left if you want to join the fun!!! 💕

We've got so many exciting upcoming events! Canopy Mixer & Writing Time, Nov. 13 @ Redbud HQ, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: mingle, write, and enjoy wine and snacks at the Canopy, Raleigh’s only co-working space specifically for writers. Free & open to all! RSVP! Slumber Party Write In, Dec. 12 @ Redbud HQ, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m: Don your coziest clothes for an evening of reading, writing, hot cocoa, pizza, snacks, literary themed crafts, and of course—writing and sharing time! $25 Oct-Nov. Class Reading, Dec. 16: Victorian Holiday Themed @ the atmospheric Watts & Ward (more details coming soon) Spring 2027 International Writing Retreat in Portugal: six days of writing in peaceful Seia, Portugal with a group of enthusiastic writers; all meals included and prepared by an amazing onsite chef! 2027 Year Long Novel and Nonfiction Intensives: applications live now until November 20 & November 30, respectively Jan-Feb. classes beginning January 10, 2027! #ralevents #downtownraleigh #writingcommunity #ncwriters #writingworkshop

We’re so excited to announce our five live auction items, available at our gala on Saturday! This year, we’re offering: ✨A Redbud-curated trip to Savannah, Georgia, complete with literary swag bag and itinerary ✨A custom hand-made wallet from Redbud instructor Ben Murphy, who’s also the craftsman behind @morosoleatherworks ✨An opening chapters critique from Therese Anne Fowler, best-selling author of Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, A Good Neighborhood, and many more! @thereseannefowler ✨Drinks with literary agent Katie Grimm of Curtis Brown Ltd. ✨An exclusive poem written by @thepoetryfox about Redbud! You can’t buy any of these in stores! We can’t wait to share these opportunities with Redbuddies new and old on Saturday night! #gala #raleigh #raleighnc #hillsborough #durham

Nonfiction writers--we didn't forget about you! If you've been looking for a long term program that will give you accountability, motivation, peer and instructor support as you dive into your nonfiction project in the new year, this is the program for you! The Redbud Nonficition Intensive is a year-long program designed for advanced writers who are ready to make serious progress on a nonfiction project. For 2027, we will select ten students for our cohort, who will go through a year of classes, group work, and one-on-one meetings and manuscript reviews. The year will end with each student having a one-on-one meeting with a literary agent to receive advice about pitching and shaping their project for the marketplace. (AND--don't worry if you've already taken our Six Month Nonfiction Intensive; you are welcome in this program!) This intensive features a new instructor, different readings, a different cohort for feedback, and an agent meeting.) 📋 The deadline is at 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2026. Head on over to redbudwriting.org-->Nonfiction Intensive 2027 We can't wait to read your applications! #writingcommunity #workshop #novel #fiction #northcarolina

Just your friendly reminder that Redbud throws a good party 😁😁 We are not mentioning this for any reason in particular. But just out of curiosity, what are you doing on November 7? At 6:30 p.m.? 😅 Snaps from our grand opening in September from the fabulous @embody_media 💕💕 #ralevents #downtownraleigh #grandopening #localbusiness #writingcommunity

If you've been looking for a long term program that will give you accountability, motivation, peer and instructor support as you dive into your novel in the new year, this is the program for you! The Redbud Novel Intensive is a year-long program designed for advanced writers who are ready to make serious progress on a novel project. For 2027, we will select ten students for our cohort, who will go through a year of classes, group work, and one-on-one meetings and manuscript reviews. The year will end with each student having a one-on-one meeting with a literary agent to receive advice about pitching and shaping their project for the marketplace. (Plus...you too will get to told to "act like you're having fun" by Arshia and Emily as they take promo pics of your class. So you definitely don't want to miss out! 😂😂) 📋 The deadline is at 11:59 p.m. on 11:59 p.m. on November 20, 2026. Head on over to redbudwriting.org-->Novel Intensive 2027 We can't wait to read your applications! #writingcommunity #workshop #novel #fiction #northcarolina

There's been a lot of gala talk on here but that's not the only exciting thing happening at Redbud...Join us for a week-long international writing retreat in Portugal this spring!!! The dates are April 16-22, 2027 and there are just 10 spots available! A few favorite moments from last year’s retreat: 📜Walking back from the pool as a majestic group of horses wandering past us stopped to receive pets 📜Lingering over conversations with our hosts over slices of homemade orange and almond cake 📜Being greeted by two adorably fluffy Portuguese mountain dogs whenever you step onto the patio 📜Sharing long laughter-filled dinners paired with local wine 📜Floating in the natural pool overlooking the rolling countryside And perhaps most importantly, getting the time and space to dive deeply into a writing project with the guidance of seasoned instructors and an enthusiastic cohort! Join Emily and Arshia for the international writing adventure of a lifetime!! 🥰🥰 #writingretreat #writingabroad #retreat #writingcommunity #ncwriters

#latergram from our delightful Canopy mixer/writing time last Friday! Missed it? Never fear, join us on November 13 for the next one! The details: We'll kick off the evening with wine and snacks, then dive into silent reading or writing time (your choice!), and wrap up with sharing and more mingling. For the silent reading/writing time, we'll provide writing prompts and have an extra book or two on hand if you've been in a reading rut and need something fresh to break you out of it. The schedule: 6:30-7:00 p.m: wine & snacks 7:00-7:45 p.m.: silent reading/writing time 7:45-8:00 p.m. sharing & discussion We can't wait to see you there! 💕 #writingcommunity #ralevents #freeevent #local

Just 17 days until Redbud's BIGGEST party of the year!! 🧚‍♀️🥂🎫📚🍷🪄🎉 Join Redbud on Saturday, November 7 at 6:30 p.m. for a magical evening of food, drink, celebration, and literary community. So grab a friend, your best fairy tale-inspired costume*, and snag your tickets today!! (*Costumes are optional but really fun! 😁 We'd also love to see you in your best cocktail attire. 💕) #northcarolina #raleighnc #hillsbourghnc #writingcommunity #fundraiser

Calling all book lovers! Join the Redbud Writing Project for an enchanted evening at the @thehoneysuckleteahouse in Hillsborough on November 7 at 6:30 p.m. for our third annual fundraising gala! This year’s theme is “fairy tale” and it’s going to be a magical night of literary community, delicious food and drinks, and tons of fairy taled-themed activities. Think a magical setting, delicious dinner, an open bar with beer and wine, fairy hair, photo opportunities, and a special reading by North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green. Plus, bid on incredible prizes from local favorites in our silent auction. Also featuring: 🪆Whimsical puppets from Paperhand 🪄A darkly enchanted atmosphere 🍷Dinner, drinks & an unforgettable night out 📚A celebration of the power of stories 💕 A chance to support a cause that changes lives 🎫🥂 Want to make the night even more magical? VIP tickets include sheep herding with a professional shepherd, champagne, hors d’oeuvres, live music, swag bags, and a special cocktail hour with local literary luminaries. 🧚‍♀️Costumes are completely optional…but fyi there may be a “best costume” award! :) Come dressed in your favorite fairytale look or your usual cocktail attire. What are you supporting? Redbud is a creative writing organization whose mission is simple: bring the life-changing power of creative writing to everyone in our community, regardless of means. To that end, we offer completely free writing classes to marginalized populations such as survivors of domestic violence, unhoused individuals, people in addiction recovery, and more. Your ticket helps Redbud provide affordable writing classes to the general public, scholarships, and free creative writing programs for underserved communities across North Carolina. 🎟️ So snag a friend and get your tickets today!! Last year’s Romantasy-themed gala sold out early and you don’t want to miss your chance to support local literary community! We can't wait to see you on Nov. 7! 💕💕 #Hillsboroughnc #raleighnc #writingcommunity #northcarolina #writingevent

It’s our first--but not last--Canopy mixer! Whether you’re a member of the Canopy co-working space, a Redbuddy, or just someone who wants a chance to read & write with others, we hope you’ll join us! All you need to bring is a book to read or a writing project to work on during the silent reading/writing time! FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! 😁 Spread the word!! When & where: Fri., Oct. 23 6:00-8:00 p.m. Redbud HQ, 230 Fayetteville St. Raleigh We can't wait to see you there! 💕📚

Our instructor @red.for.short just wrapped up their six-week class at @womenscenterthetriangle for unhoused single women. Red’s description of how the class impacted the students truly encapsulates why we’re so committed to our Community Courses Program. It’s so important to give marginalized communities the tools to write, to express, to tell stories—because too often, groups like the unhoused are dismissed, overlooked, and dehumanized, and art and creativity are crucial for combating that. We’re hosting a continuation of the course now, taught by @polk.fiction! This program is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission. #raleigharts #raleighartspartners #arteverywhere

What an amazing night at the @ajffoundation fall networking event! We stayed past closing time chatting with folks who we’ve only met over zoom or email, plus meeting new people who are doing wonderful work across the Triangle. The internet is fine and all, but nothing beats face-to-face conversations! #raleigh #raleighnc #ajfletcher #downtownraleigh #thursdayvibes

This year’s silent auction will go live on October 25, two weeks before our gala. We have some very exciting prizes this year, some repeats from 2025 and some entirely new. Scroll through to get a taste of ten of the items we’ll be offering and let us know: which are you most excited to bid on? And thank you so much to all of these businesses for donating! #raleigh #durham #northcarolina #hillsborough #gala

Did you know that Jaki Shelton Green, poet laureate of North Carolina, will be reading her work at our gala on November 7 in Hillsborough? We’re so excited to welcome Jaki to the event and hear her work! We hope you’ll come on out and join us! #hillsborough #northcarolina #gala #durham #carrboro

Hey #Durham, do you want to take an amazing creative writing class this fall? Check out our new course Crafting Short Fiction, which meets Wednesdays starting October 14. Here’s the description: What is a short story? What makes it different from a novel? In this workshop, instructor Omaria Sanchez Pratt will explore short fiction through a series of readings, writing exercises, and generative discussions. Participants will examine elements of craft including openings, character, structure, point of view, voice, and setting, while experimenting with different approaches to telling a story. This workshop aims to help you develop new ideas, strengthen your storytelling skills, and discover what the short story form can make possible. Sign up at the link in our bio! #durhamnc #downtowndurham #writers #northcarolina

We are pretty dang excited about the VIP reception at our gala, which is taking place on Nov. 7 in Hillsborough. VIPs are invited to come early (at 4 pm), participate in a sheep-herding experience, then enjoy an intimate cocktail reception featuring our first-ever Redbud awards for Teacher of the Year and Student of the Year. Tickets are limited, so snag yours at the link in our bio today! All proceeds go to the great cause of making creative writing accessible to everyone in our community. #hillsboroughnc #raleigh #durhamnc #northcarolina #writer

PSA: Short stories actually make the best travel reading because you can finish one on a train ride! 🚈📚 #shortstories #amreading #writingcommunity #northcarolinawriters #ohenryprize

#latergram from our August-September class reading! A huge thank you to everyone who came out to share, celebrate, and do some impromptu literary trivia! 🥰🥰 #ralevents #downtownraleigh #writingcommunity #ncwriters

Do you have your tickets for our annual fundraising gala yet?? Last year's gala was absolutely magical: over 150 of you came out to our 2025 Romantasy-themed gala to help support Redbud's scholarship program, free community courses, and more. We can't wait to celebrate with you again at this year's event! This year's gala will be taking place @thehoneysuckleteahouse Union Grove in Hillsborough on November 7 starting at 6:30 pm. We’ll have food from @mediterraneandeli, beer from @trophymaywood and wine at our open bar, a reading from NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green, a silent auction, and a FAIRYTALE theme, which will include: 🪾Darkly dramatic magical decor 🪾Fairy hair for all attendees 🪾Fairytale characters circulating in the crowd for photo ops 🪾Costumes are optional—you can also come in cocktail attire! PLUS a special VIP experience beforehand: from 4-5 p.m., you'll get to herd sheep with a professional shepherd onsite at the farm. Then, from 5-6:30 p.m., you're invited to a special cocktail hour featuring champagne, hors d'oeuvres, swag bags, live music, and a chance to talk to local literary luminaries who will also be in attendance. 🐑🐑 Not only will this evening be a magical and literary blast, but it’s also for a great cause. This is our major fundraiser of the year and all proceeds will go towards our mission of making Redbud more inclusive and expansive in 2027. If you want to be a part of that—get your tickets today! Link in bio! All photos courtesy of @embody_media #northcarolina #amwri̇ti̇ng #writersoﬁg #hillsboroughnc #raleigh

We could not be more thrilled to bring you the inaugural digital edition of Understory- -Redbud's student-run literary magazine!! From speculative fiction about strange appetites to poetry about the elusive meaning of home, we hope you enjoy these pieces as much as we do. Please join us in congratulating our contributors: Timothy Reveri Kathleen Wagner Kenneth M. Kapp Carrie Morris Emily Walton Denise Gartner Rick Sapir Rutger Middelburg Harrison Udeh Sebastian Ellios 🎉🎉🎉 An of course, a huge thank you to our staff for their hard work! Editor: Allie Coker Staff: Henry Bundy Tammy Blackard Cook Olga Rossow Casey Shapack 📆 Stay tuned for our inaugural print issue to land in mid-October! We are so honored to share work from our incredibly talented Redbud community with you! With that, happy reading! #writingcommunity #literarymag #raleighnc #northcarolina #writersofig

At long last, the 2026 Coppice Prize anthology is here! Featuring four stories from the winner of our 2026 short story competition, which saw a record number of submissions (nearly 400!). Buy your copy now on our site at Get Involved—>Shop Gift Cards & Merch! And thank you as always to @unitedartswake for sponsoring this project! #raleigh #raleighnc #arts #smallpress #writer

Wondering where you can catch Redbud this weekend?? Here’s what we have going on! 📕Class reading on Friday, Sept. 25 at HQ in Raleigh 📕Come learn about zine-making from @red.for.short at the @hillsborougharts Last Fridays event on Sept. 25 from 5:30-8:30 pm on the Old Courthouse Lawn in Hillsborough 📕Durham, come on out to the @jubileehomenc Block Party & Resource Fair on Saturday, Sept. 26 on E. Umstead and Dawkins Streets from 11 am to 3 pm—we’ll have a table there handing out information about Redbud’s resources and offerings! 📕Ok this isn’t this weekend, but it doesn’t hurt to remind you that classes start up Oct. 12. Will we see you at any of these events?? #northcarolina #hillsborough #durham #raleigh #weekend

Every Monday morning this session, instructor Red McClung has been teaching a one-hour creative writing class at the Women’s Center, a shelter in Raleigh for women experiencing homelessness. Today, Red taught a lesson on voice: what is it, why is it important, what’s the difference between dialogue and narration, how can we glean inspiration from disparate voices such as Zora Neale Hurston and Jesmyn Ward…we’re so honored to have the opportunity to work with these women and that over and over, they come out on a Monday morning to talk literature, craft, and writing with us! This program is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission. Thanks for making this possible, @raleigh_arts! #raleigharts #raleighartspartners #arteverywhere #raleigh #writers

Mark your calendars, friends! Redbud’s third annual fundraising gala is on Nov. 7 at the Honeysuckle at Union Grove in Hillsborough. You are NOT going to want to miss this event! Tickets are on sale now at the link in bio! #northcarolina #amwri̇ti̇ng #writersofinstagram #hillsborough #raleigh

Redbud Class Reading alert! Join us on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. for a celebratory class reading at the Redbud HQ located at 230 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh. 🥳🥳 As always, our class readings are free and open to the public, so invite your friends and come on out for an evening of drinks, snacks, and literary entertainment! #shoplocal #downtownraleigh #writingcommunity #writersofnorthcarolina #ralevents

Whew! We’ve finally had a moment to take a breath after the most amazing night. ♥️ Our grand opening at 230 Fayetteville Street was everything we hoped it would be—and more. A sold out 105-person event full of people who love literary community as much as we do. 🎉🎉🎉 We’re so grateful to everyone who came, raised a glass, and helped us fill this new space with good vibes. Thank you to our incredible readers @danielwallace1 @belle_boggs @sylvester_for_real_ @theamandashow12 , our AMAZING volunteers, our fabulous instructors @red.for.short @daijmoore @omariapratt @rsimon113 our friends and supporters, and everyone who has believed in Redbud along the way. Here’s to Redbud’s next chapter in the heart of downtown Raleigh @downtownraleighalliance ! 🥂📚🥰 P.S. Please tag yourself in these pics! (And DM us your names...we would love to publish these pics in various mags but we need names in order to do so! :)) (And a huge thank you to @embody_media for the professional pics in this batch and to @soandsobooks for being our official bookseller at this event!) #ralevents #downtownraleigh #writingcommunity #writingclass

Registration for the Canopy is live! Follow the link in our bio to snag your spot at Raleigh’s first and only coworking space for writers. #raleigh #downtownraleigh #raleighnc #northcarolina #writers

Our plants have made it to their new home 🥰🥰 See you this Friday at 6:30 p.m. at 230 Fayetteville St. for the literary party of the century??! #ralevents #raleighnc #downtownraleigh #writingcommunity #durhamnc

Hey Durham, do you want to take a class with us this session? We still have space in @daijmoore’s Writing the South course, which starts Monday, August 24 at our NEW Durham HQ at 113 E. Main Street! We also have space in our four-week Magical Realism class with @omariapratt starting Tuesday, Sept. 8. Sign up for either class at the link in our bio! #durham #durhamnc #writers #downtowndurham #northcarolina

It's August and Redbud classes are officially underway! This Monday, we kicked off Fiction I and Intro to Memoir at our new headquarters on 230 Fayetteville St in #downtownraleigh and we couldn't be more excited to be in such a beautiful and inspiring space! 🥰 If you're looking to join a robust community of writers, there's still time to snag a spot in one of our six-week workshops, taking place in Raleigh, #durhamnc , and online! Swipe to check out the options! 👉 #writingcommunity #writingclass #fiction

The rumors are true: we’re going to Puerto Rico this fall! Join us from Nov. 11-15, 2026 in a historic property in Old San Juan for four days of writing, reading, learning, bonding, and fun! Follow the link in our bio to learn more and reserve your spot! #retreat #writingretreat #northcarolina #travel #puertorico

Have you signed up for an August-September class yet? Like, for example, our always-popular The Art of Turning Your Personal Experiences Into Articles, with @rsimon113? This course begins on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at our new downtown Raleigh HQ and runs six weeks out from there. Register today on our website! #raleigh #raleighnc #downtown #downtownraleigh #northcarolina

Yes—it’s time. Tickets for our third annual fundraising gala are on sale!! This year’s event will be taking place @thehoneysuckleteahouse Union Grove in Hillsborough on November 7 starting at 6:30 pm. We’ll have food from @mediterraneandeli, beer from @trophymaywood and wine at our open bar, a reading from NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green, a silent auction, and a FAIRYTALE theme, which will include: 🌲Darkly dramatic magical decor 🌲Fairy hair for all attendees 🌲Fairytale characters circulating in the crowd for photo ops 🌲Costumes are optional—you can also come in cocktail attire! Not only will this evening be a magical and literary blast, but it’s also for a great cause. This is our major fundraiser of the year and all proceeds will go towards our mission of making Redbud more inclusive and expansive in 2027. If you want to be a part of that—get your tickets today! Link in bio! All photos courtesy of @embody_media #northcarolina #amwri̇ti̇ng #writersoﬁg #hillsboroughnc #raleigh

Check out our upcoming events schedule and mark your calendars!! ✒️8.16: Just two weeks until school starts up again! Snag your spot in one of our six-week workshops today! ✒️ 9.4: Our grand opening party at the new headquarters in downtown Raleigh. It's going to be the literary party of the century!!!! 🎊🎊🎊 ✒️9.12: Redbud will be @meredithcollege tabling for the fabulous JFL North Carolina literary festival @jaipurlitfest ✒️9.13: A creative writing workshop at @jaipurlitfest ✒️9/13: "Writing Your Rage" workshop @ncartmuseum Delve into how writers can explore and interrogate the topic of rage in memoir and fiction. #writingcommunity #raleighevents #local #northcarolina #creativewriting

We are so thrilled to welcome these four stellar readers to our grand opening party on Sept. 4 at 6:30! Will we see you there?? #raleigh #raleighnc #downtownraleigh #raleighbusiness #writer

Did you know that Redbud offers bespoke “Lunch & Learn” packages? Today, we had the pleasure of facilitating a Lunch & Learn @deloitte called “Creative Writing for Well-Being.” During this 90-minute session, participants explored how creative writing—and the simple practice of paying close attention—can help cultivate reflection, imagination, and well-being. At Redbud, we believe that creative writing is a great way to slow down and become more attuned with the world around you and we couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up a work week than with a dose of the arts! Interested in hosting a Lunch and Learn at your office? DM us! 🥰 @lifeatdeloitteus #creativewriting #writingcommunity #northcarolina #raleigh #wellness

There’s not much we love more than our READINGS! Last Thursday, we gathered at @my.muses.card.shop for our end-of-session showcase of seven writers who took classes during May-June. We were so impressed by the depth and variety of these pieces! From Christian fundamentalism to the carceral system, mental health to the vice of poverty—these stories delved into the issues and they did it with heart, humor, and grace. If you’re new to the Redbud ecosystem, we highly recommend attending a reading as a way to get to know us and our community! And thank you so much to the wonderful @embody_media for the photos! #carrboro #northcarolina #amwri̇ti̇ng #summervibes☀️ #chapelhill

You heard it here first! We're having a grand opening party and you MUST come!!! 🥂 Join us on Friday, September 4 at 6:40 p.m. as we celebrate the next chapter for Redbud at our new headquarters at 230 Fayetteville Street. Raise a glass with us for an evening of wine, delicious food, and readings by local authors as we officially open the doors to our new home. We believe the literary arts belong in the heart of downtown, and we want you to help us fill this space with conversation and community from day one. We envision a place where writers and readers gather for workshops, readings, book clubs, celebrations, and community events, along with a dedicated co-working space for writers. Whether you've been part of Redbud from the beginning or you're just discovering us, we'd love to celebrate this milestone with you. 💕💕 @downtownraleighalliance #writingcommunity #downtownraleigh #northcarolina #nonprofit

Just 24 hours left to donate to our summer scholarship campaign and DOUBLE your impact! We are raising funds for scholarships for “In These Times: Writing as Survival,” a new online course taught by @theamandashow12 and @omariapratt. A generous donor is matching all gifts received before tomorrow night, so make your tax-deductible donation today (link in bio!) and help us bring the life-giving magic of creative writing to everyone this summer. $10, $25, $50…it all adds up! Thanks, everyone! #raleigh #durham #durhamnc #nonprofit #northcarolina

📣There's still time to join @theamandashow12 and @omariapratt for a special online four week class "In these Times...Writing as Survival" and we still have one scholarship left! Spread the word!! (Class begins Wednesday, July 8, 2026, and runs every Wednesday for four weeks from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.) 📋Course description: This four-week course examines current events through creative writing and self-exploration with a Black Feminist lens. How do we write in times of war, genocide, climate disaster, class divide, and the rolling back of civil rights? What does your community need to survive this moment? In these times, the craft of writing and the skill of critical thinking are essential tools for survival. Using writing prompts, discussion, and examples from movies, novels, and music, these four weeks will be generative with the goal of producing one form of written work (poem, short story, manifesto, letter to your representative or community, grant narrative, etc.) that speaks to the present time we are living in and offers a template for a new way forward. As the title of the class alludes to, discussions like these more important than ever. Join us!! #writingcommunity #scholarahip #creativewriting #northcarolina

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT TIME!!! We are thrilled to announce that our new headquarters will be in the Carolina Trust building at 230 Fayetteville Street right downtown. Our two new rooms are on the third floor of this gorgeous historic office building, with transom windows, wainscoting, exposed original brick and plaster—all an aesthete’s dream! But even more important than that, we are thrilled that we’re going to get to be a part of downtown Raleigh’s flourishing and burgeoning creative scene. Our new HQ is going to be a literary arts center—with classes, readings, parties, book clubs—RIGHT DOWNTOWN, just blocks from the state house. How cool is that?? And that’s not all! Remember a few weeks ago when we asked whether you’d be interested in a coworking space for writers? Well, during the day, our new HQ is going to be just that! It’s called The Canopy and it’s going to officially open Oct. 1. You can learn more and fill out an interest form at the link in our bio. Stay tuned for a date for the opening launch party for this new space! Til then, thank you all for all your support over the years. We can’t wait to enter Redbud’s next chapter with you. 📘📚📓 #raleigh #downtownraleigh #raleighnc #northcarolina #amwri̇ti̇ng

A lovely summer day for some meetings! What are we cooking up? Let’s just say there’s a big announcement coming tomorrow! #raleigh #raleighnc #amwri̇ti̇ng #downtown #northcarolina

Intro to Memoir with @red.for.short at @loadingdockhq last night! #raleigh #raleighnc #amwri̇ti̇ng #writersofig #northcarolina

SAVE THE DATE!!! 🧚‍♀️🪾🧌✨🌲 We are SO excited to officially announce our third annual fundraising gala! This year’s fête will be taking place on Saturday, November 7 at the Honeysuckle Tea House in Hillsborough (not the one in Chapel Hill! They have a new second location). This year’s theme is, appropriately for the season and the farmland setting, DARK FAIRYTALES! We can’t wait to celebrate with you all again. Not only will this be a fun night full of magical flair, literary conversation, music, auctions, and maybe even SHEEP, it’ll also be our main fundraiser for the year, helping us keep our classes affordable, our scholarship fund robust, and our Community Courses program growing and evolving. Tickets go on sale on August 1, so mark your calendars! And thank you so much to our sponsors @trophymaywood @lettersbookshop @goldenfigbooks @northstatebanknc @ajffoundation @waltermagazine #hillsborough #northcarolina #gala #chapelhill #amwriting

The last night of @anisevance’s Writing the Novel class @goldenfigcarrboro! ❤️❤️❤️ #carrboro #carrboronc #writing #indiebookstore #bookstore

Redbud Class Reading alert! We're so excited to be hosting our May-June class reading @my.muses.card.shop in their connected art gallery! If you haven't been there before, you're in for a treat. My Muses prides itself on curating local, handcrafted, and ethically sourced products and on supporting local artists. 😍😍 🥳🥳 As always, our class readings are free and open to the public, so invite your friends and come on out for an evening of drinks, snacks, and literary entertainment! #shoplocal #giftshop #indiebusiness #writingcommunity #writersofnorthcarolina

You may have noticed that our Raleigh classes are not taking place at our HQ. That’s because, after five wonderful years, we’re moving! We’ll announce our new permanent Raleigh HQ soon, but for the summer, we’re delighted to announce that we’ll be holding our classes @vaeraleigh on W. Morgan Street! We’re feeling bittersweet about the end of our time on North Person, but also excited about what’s to come. Stay tuned—and see you at the art gallery this July?? #raleigh #raleighnc #downtownraleigh #northcarolina #writingcommunity

⛱️ Our special four-week summer session is live!!! During this truncated session, we offer esoteric, offbeat courses that you won’t see any other time of year. 🌞All About Travel Writing with Rachel Simon, 909 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, meets for four Thursdays beginning July 9 🌞In These Times…Writing as Survival with Omaria Sanchez-Pratt and Amanda Bennett, online, meets for four Wednesdays beginning July 8 🌞The Dark Forest with Matthew Buckley Smith in Carrboro, meets for four Wednesdays beginning July 8 🌞Steering the Works with Ben Murphy, 909 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, meets for four Tuesdays beginning July 7 🌞Microfictions, with Melanie Tafejian, online, meets for four Tuesdays beginning July 7 😎 The Art of Turning your Personal Experiences Into Articles with Rachel Simon, 909 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, meets for six Mondays beginning July 6 [a rare six-week summer class!] Head on over to redbudwriting.org to learn more and sign up!

Finally, without further ado, please join us in congratulating this year’s Coppice Prize winners!!! 🎉 Honorable mention Norie Suzuki (she/her) was born and educated bilingually in Tokyo, Japan, where she writes and works as a simultaneous interpreter. She earned an MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Her work has appeared in Baltimore Review, Cutleaf Journal, The Offing, and elsewhere. She received third prize in the T. Paulo Urcanse Prize for Literary Excellence in 2024, and her work will be included in “Best Microfiction 2026.” Stanley Péan is a Haitian-born, Montreal-based writer, broadcaster and screenwriter. The author of numerous books — including novels, short story collections and essays — he has received several distinctions for his work in both literature and radio. His fiction has appeared in various magazines and anthologies in French and in English. His photo is courtesy of Sophie Lemaire. Sandra Jensen has over 60 publications including in: World Literature Today, The Irish Times, AGNI and Cutleaf Journal. Awards include winning the Bridport Novel Prize. She has lived with chronic illness for three decades and was recently commissioned to write a book titled “The Irrepressible Writer: How Writers with Ill Health Write Well”. She mentors writers and holds writing workshops on “The Art of Therapeutic Writing”. She lives in England. Catherine Peng, who always goes by Cate, is a queer Asian-American woman who dreams in stories. When she’s not click-clacking away on her secret writing account or pulling new tales from the quiet corners of daily life, she’s immersed in the immortal voices of Hafez, Ferdowsi, and Saadi, or wandering through the shadowed halls of Gothic and historical fiction. Carmilla is a touchstone; Wolf Hall is currently on her nightstand. Apart from the literary world, she also enjoys burlesque shows, indulging her competitive streak on Dress to Impress (Roblox) with friends, and sipping oolong tea. Stay tuned for our anthology launch party!!! And thank you to @unitedartswake for your support!

Please join us in congratulating everyone on the Coppice Prize shortlist!! 🎉🎉🎉 #raleigh #northcarolina #shortstory #amwriting #writersoﬁg

We are so excited to announce the results of the 2026 Coppice Prize this week! First up, please join us in giving a hearty congratulations to the ten authors who made our longlist. We received a record number of submissions this year (almost 400!) so competition was quite stiff. Congrats, everyone, and up tomorrow—our shortlist announcement! (Thank you, as always, to United Arts for making this contest possible). #northcarolina #raleighnc #amwri̇ti̇ng #durham #contest

CAN'T stop, WON'T stop talking about how magical the international writing retreat in Portugal was!! 😂 More snaps from last year's retreat to entice you to join us for six unforgettable days of writing in the small town of Seia from October 4–10, 2026. Want to learn more? Check out our blog post! https://www.redbudwriting.org/blog/notes-from-a-magical-week-at-redbuds-international-writing-retreat-in-portugal A few favorite moments: 🌟Walking back from the pool as a majestic group of horses filed past us to stop and, one by one, receive pets before continuing onward 🌟Lingering over conversations with our hosts over slices of homemade orange and almond cake 🌟Being greeted by one the adorably fluffy (big or bigger) Portuguese mountain dogs when you stepped onto the patio 🌟Sharing long, laughter-filled dinners of vibrant vegetarian meals paired with local wine 🌟Floating in the natural pool overlooking the rolling countryside Room choices happen on June 15 do don't miss out on your chance to join Emily and Arshia for an international adventure!! 🥰🥰

Pics from our AMAZING rage retreat on Saturday! We were so blown away by the stories these participants shared about what makes them angry about the female experience. There was so much vulnerability, reflection, and importantly--support for one another. Our takeaway: these conversations are essential and using art as a means of expression is incredibly powerful. We think everyone left feeling a little bit hopeful. #writingcommunity #writingretreat #writingclass #raleighnc #northcarolina

#latergram from Redbud's afternoon of bespoke writing prompts for Arts on the Block! @artspacenc It's always such a blast to meet people who love creativity and supporting local artists! 💕💕 #ralevents #raleighnc #localarts

Our Writing the Novel class in Carrboro is sold out, but did you know we have an online section now, beginning Sunday, taught by @jacquicastlewrites? Check it out and sign up at the link in our bio! #northcarolina #amwriting #raleigh #durham #asheville

DID YOU KNOW that submissions for the first-ever issue of Understory, Redbud’s student-run literary magazine, are open now through June 1? We even pay an honorarium! Find all details at the link in our bio—we can’t wait to read your work! #raleigh #raleighnc #northcarolina #amwriting #durhamnc

✈️✈️ Got burning questions about our international writing retreat in Portugal? Sign up to join Emily & Arshia for an online info session on Saturday, May 23 at 11 a.m. to learn more!! Just six spots left, so snag yours today! 😱 (And check out the retreat page at redbudwriting-->International Retreat #internationalwritingretreat #portugal #writingcommunity #travel #northcarolina

We're so excited to introduce you to our newest Redbud instructor: Red McClung! Red holds both an MA in English Literature, and an MFA in Fiction, from NC State University. Originally from Greensboro, North Carolina, Red writes Southern fiction that explores queerness, bodily autonomy, and criminalized economies. Their debut novel, Sourjaw, is about the opioid epidemic in small town North Carolina. Red attended the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference in 2025, and was a scholarship recipient for the Community of Writers in 2026. When Red isn’t writing, you can find them on the SBU English Club Podcast, or volunteering with the NC Harm Reduction Coalition. 📚They'll be teaching a new session of Intro to Memoir in Raleigh, starting Thursday, May 16 at the Redbud headquarters. Don't delay--snag your spot today! #memoir #nonfiction #writingclass #ralevents #workshop

Join Emily and Arshia on May 16 for a Saturday workshop that will explore the topic of female rage in memoir and fiction. This is a generative, discussion-based workshop with plenty of time for writing, sharing, and reflection. Writers of all levels are welcome. Thanks to a generous donor, we have ten free scholarships available for this retreat. (Five scholarships remaining!) The scholarships are to allow writers who could not otherwise afford to attend an opportunity to participate. 📋Head on over to redbudwriting.org-->May-June classes to learn more and to register #raleighnc #writingcommunity #ralevents #scholarahip #northcarolina

Are you looking for a class that will encourage you to write a lot in a supportive, generative environment? We have just the course for you. In Diana Fenves’ new Gather, Share, Create, we’ll focus on developing a writing process that centers on presence, listening, and writing in response to others. Rather than traditional readings, each student will bring one piece to read aloud each class—a poem, an essay, a story, or a chapter from a favorite book. After reading the piece, the student will ask everyone a question, and then we’ll take time to write in response. Prompts can be literal: inviting others to take lines from the piece and write their own version of a poem or story. It can be reflective: what does this piece say to us? There are no limits. Each two-hour session will be roughly half reading aloud/listening, and half writing. For the workshop, each student will read a piece aloud. Instead of a traditional critique, the other students will write their own creative pieces in response to the student and will share those pieces with the presenter. Each writer will leave with a little collection of works written in response to their own pieces. For this course, you will need: great works you wish to share, a journal to write in, and a willingness to speak your words aloud in a supportive environment. All genres and levels are welcome. This course begins Wednesday, May 13, online, and runs for six weeks. If this sounds good to you, sign up at the link in our bio! #writing #writersofinstagram #northcarolina

🫟🫟 We want you to rage out with us!! But seriously, this is a topic that is close to our hearts. We know that we—and so many people—often feel angry and hopeless about gender-based inequality and yet there is rarely an outlet for these feelings. That’s why we put together this one day workshop. Join Emily and Arshia on May 16 for a Saturday workshop that will explore the topic of female rage in memoir and fiction. Together, we’ll examine how anger—so often dismissed, minimized, or pathologized—can become a powerful creative force on the page. We’ll read excerpts from salient authors and grapple with questions such as: How do we render anger with precision? How do we resist cliché and sentimentality? And how can rage open up deeper truths about power, gender, desire, and identity? Through guided prompts and in-class exercises, we’ll practice translating emotional intensity into vivid, compelling prose. We’ll also discuss craft techniques for shaping raw feeling into narrative—focusing on voice, structure, and emotional clarity. This is a generative, discussion-based workshop with plenty of time for writing, sharing, and reflection. Writers of all levels are welcome. Thanks to a generous donor, we have ten free scholarships available for this retreat. The scholarships are to allow writers who could not otherwise afford to attend an opportunity to participate. We can’t wait to get angry and to get writing! Join us! #writingcommunity #northcarolina #ralevents #raleigh #scholarahip

What an amazing class reading @vaeraleigh this past weekend!! It was so inspiring to be in an art-filled space and to have our poetry instructor @josh_tvrdy guide participants through a lesson on ekphrastic poetry! We had some first time readers who did an amazing job and we couldn't be prouder of how supportive the Redbud community is. 🥰🥰 #writingcommunity #artandliterature #raleigh #literaryevent #northcarolina

📰📰 Read all about it on our blog: Notes from a Magical Week at Redbud’s International Writing Retreat in Portugal! ✈️🐎🏔️🌊 Here's a teaser: 🇵🇹 Last October, Redbud went to Portugal for our first-ever international writing retreat—and we had the time of our lives. We won’t bury the lede: it was such a magical experience that we’re doing it again. Join us for six unforgettable days of writing in the small town of Seia from October 4–10, 2026. Here’s a glimpse of what awaits: We landed in Lisbon and gathered at our pickup spot, a mix of jet-lagged excitement and anticipation in the air. Some participants had already been exploring Portugal, while others flew in together from Raleigh, arriving as instant travel companions. From there, a shuttle carried us north toward Seia, rolling through golden hills and terracotta-roofed villages, with a stop along the way for flaky, custard-filled Portuguese pastries (the first of many memorable bites). When we arrived at our retreat home, it felt like stepping into another era. The rooms were full of old-world charm, complete with stone walls, oil paintings and ornate wallpaper. After settling in, we gathered beneath a canopy of grapevines, introducing ourselves and sharing our hopes for the week ahead. Despite a day of travels, everyone leaned into the moment with excitement… #internationalwritingretreat #portugal #writingcommunity #writingclass #northcarolina

Spring is in the air and Redbud is in the streets! Come find us tabling at one of THREE markets this weekend and/or swing by our March-April end-of-session reading on Saturday night! #spring #springhassprung #northcarolina #raleigh #carrboro

Did you know that our May-June classes are currently open for registration? If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at poetry, or if you want to get back into the genre, may we recommend Intro to Poetry, online with @melanierosetaf on Thursday evenings? Learn more and sign up on our website! #poetry #writer #writersofinstagram #amwriting #northcarolina

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