“Writers helping writers”
After earning her 1985 BFA in creative writing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Sally J. Walker founded the Nebraska Writers Workshop under the sponsorship of the Ralston Public Library. Interested people began meeting weekly on Wednesday evenings to discuss topics of interest in various areas of writing and to read from works-in-progress. Over the next three years, the regular attendees chose to have brief, researched presentations by members in the areas of Poetry, Script Writing, and Fiction Writing.
From an irregular attendance of 3-5 writers, the around-the-calendar meetings grew to a minimum of 14 out of a roster of over 50. Members range in age from 14 in the teen group to 70’s & 80’s among the adults. Education levels are from high school grads to Master’s in English.
Over half of our membership has been published or produced, yet every member comes to the table as equals because each piece of writing is hard work. A variety of writing professionals have added programming spice including an Oscar-winning film editor, a small publisher, a theatrical director, an actor, and a variety of topical experts. Other members contriute experience and advice from their various professions.
For some members, weekly attendance is a commitment to self-improvement; others attend as their jobs and homelife allow. All come with the understanding that they are there for incremental continuing education, industry updates and to help one another attain specific goals. We encourage a gathering of people who understand the trials and the joys of what we do.
Other writing organizations represented in the membership include the Nebraska Writers Guild, Romance Writers of America (RWA), Western Writers of America (WWA), the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), the local Theater Arts Guild and the Omaha Film Festival. We also have members working toward membership in the Dramatist’s Guild (playwriting), Writers Guild of America (screenwriting), Mystery Writers of America, the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America and the Horror Writers Association. Most of the poets are actively publishing and involved in readings in the area.
We believe in writers helping writers, so no fee has ever been charged; an optional goodwill offering of $1 per week is collected to pay for the group’s small expenses (like this website and the holiday party) with the balance donated to thank the library for their meeting space and support.
Nebraska Writers Workshop 