About

Ohio City Writers is a non-profit creative writing center at 3208 Lorain Ave. in Cleveland. OCW organizes programs and volunteers to help youth, in grades 4 through 12, hone their skills with the written word, which in turn will bolster their imaginations, critical-thinking abilities and self-confidence. Our mission is to

1) Demystify writing. Too many people, kids and adults, seem to believe that Writing is something akin to magic, handed down in secret rituals from masters to carefully selected apprentices. Nonsense. We’re all born storytellers; it’s arguably the most fundamental, defining human trait. Writing well is demanding, but it’s also fun. We believe in fostering a healthy respect for the rules, and an eagerness to bend them.

2) Teach respect for the craft. “I spent the morning putting a comma in, and the afternoon taking it out.” This quip — sometimes attributed to Oscar Wilde, sometimes to Gustav Flaubert — exaggerates an important point. Writing is a process — and sometimes it’s a slow and frustrating process. Whether it’s a limerick or a State of The Union address, writing well requires patience and persistence.

3) Ignite passion.We want all students, regardless of background or aspirations, to see writing as a lifelong pursuit. Writing is about far more than telling stories. It’s the science of personal expression. It’s algebra with words. It’s the social studies of one’s own life. Writing exercises all the mental muscle groups and sharpens vision. We believe that the future belongs to those whose words compel others to think and to act.

Ohio City Writers builds alliances with members of the local writing, journalism, arts and music communities, as well as the increasingly vibrant and engaged Near West neighborhoods. Students will benefit from the guidance of accomplished and passionate writers, from every genre and discipline, from across Northeast Ohio.

Read about our Programs.

Ohio City Writers is inspired by the 826 National model.

Contact us at ohiocitywriters [at] gmail.com. Please join our email list (at the top of the sidebar).

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Frank W. Lewis

BOARD MEMBERS

President: Dan Moulthrop, curator of conversation, The Civic Commons
Joe Cimperman, member, Cleveland City Council
Tiffany Graham, project manager, LAND Studio
Jimi Izrael, journalist, author and educator
Judith Mansour, former executive director, The LIT
Tom McNair, business development director, Ohio City Inc.
Eric Wobser, executive director, Ohio City Inc.

SUPPORTERS & ADVISORS

Tom Beach, English department chair, St. Ignatius High School
Eric Coble, Cleveland Arts Prize-winning playwright and president of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education
Dan Cuffaro, head of Industrial Design Department, Cleveland Institute of Art
Ted Fabyan, retired CEO and president, Vocational Guidance Services
Michael Gill, blogger and former arts editor, Cleveland Scene and Cleveland Free Times
Cris Glaser, newswriting teacher at Cleveland State and John Carroll University, former print and broadcast journalist
David Gray, owner, Gray & Co. Publishers
Daniel Gray-Kontar, artist (Rep Life) and youth activist
Nicole Hunter, senior creative consultant, American Greetings and creative writing instructor
Ron Kretsch, former art director at Scene and Free Times, photographer and musician
Marie Lathers, author and professor of Humanities and French at Case Western Reserve University
Toby and Melanie Maloney, original investors, mental floss magazine
Todd Masuda, attorney and artist
Ray McNiece, poet and performer
Charles Michener, former Newsweek and New Yorker editor, author of the forthcoming The Hidden City
Erin O’Brien, blogger, former Scene and Free Times contributor (Rainy Day Woman column) and author
Myra Orenstein, marketing and advertising consultant
Anastasia Pantsios, journalist and photographer, Cleveland Scene
Scott Raab, Esquire writer at large and author
James Renner, author and journalist
Angie Schmitt, journalist and founder of Rustwire.com
Jill Miller Zimon, blogger, Pepper Pike City Council member and too many other things to mention

OTHER FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS

Lake Erie Ink • Cuyahoga County Public Libraries • Sherwin Williams • Great Lakes Brewing Co. • Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity • Prosperity Social Club • Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club • America SCORES Cleveland • Open Yoga Gallery • 2nd Shift Design Studio • Johnny Mango World Cafe and Bar • Happy Dog • Keller National Insurance • Jakprints • IndieMerch • Roots of American Music • Teaching Cleveland • Palookaville Cafe • St. Ignatius High School • International Association of Business Communicators, Cleveland • SMART Technologies • Ohio City Theatre Project

INSTITUTIONAL DONORS