About The Adirondack Center for Writing

The Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW) is a resource and educational organization that provides support to writers throughout the Adirondacks, The ACW also collaborates with existing Adirondack-based organizations for literature programming. ACW is based at Paul Smith's College and supported by the New York State Council on the Arts.

ACW Programs

The Adirondack Center for Writing hosts a series of writing workshops designed to provide writers with creative and technical skills, and with a professional knowledge of publishing and marketing issues. ACW also holds readings, to showcase regional authors and to provide an opportunity for aspiring writers to meet one another.

Publishing Conference-Every year ACW presents a publishing conference, focusing on a different aspect of the business each time. This wildly successful program typically includes manuscript critiques with top-notch editors and agents in the field.

Writing Conferences-Various genres and styles are explored, whether it be a focus on children's literature, or a discussion of the blurring of the lines between nonfiction and fiction writing. These conferences are designed to inspire creativity and provide technical and marketing information to writers.

Prison Writing Workshops-The Adirondack Center for Writing and the Federal Correctional Facility in Ray Brook, NY have partnered to offer a series of writing workshops for inmate students. We are proud to announce that this program is funded by a joint National Endowment for the Arts and Federal Bureau of Prisons grant. This grant is highly competitive, only three are awarded in the country annually. Click here for more information

ACW, in partnership with North Country Public Radio, sponsors the biennial Writing Contest for young and adult writers. To encourage different kinds of writing, we change the genres each time the contest is offered. Click here for more information, submission guidelines, and the winning manscripts from our last contest.

ACW publishes a quarterly newsletter that highlights writing and cultural activities held throughout the Adirondack Park, and that features a regional writer every issue in our "Writers' Spotlight."

ACW also produces the Adirondack Writers' Resource Guide which lists regional writers, editors, publishers, and local organizations that present writers' work. We've also included a list of photographers and illustrators.It is a tremendous resource that helps to unify the widespread literary community throughout the six-million-acre park. The Resource Guide can now be access on our web site, visit our Resource Guide page!