Downtown Writers Center

The YMCA's Downtown Writers Center is the CNY region's only community center for the literary arts, and hosts a wide variety of programs and events for wordsmiths and bookworms; creative writing workshops, readings by established and emerging poets and writers, and much more.

DWC workshop

Creative Writing Workshops

Each year, we offer over 70 workshops and courses for writers of all experience levels: poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama, screenwriting, songwriting, and more.
YAA Image

Young Authors Academy (YAA)

The Young Authors Academy is the Downtown Writers Center's teen writing program, and as a member, you'll work with the same terrific writers who teach in the regular DWC workshops.
CNY Book Awards

CNY Book Awards

Each November, the YMCA's Downtown Writers Center recognizes the best books published by CNY authors through the CNY Book Awards. Awards are currently presented in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.
Stone Canoe cover image

Stone Canoe

The YMCA's Downtown Writers Center publishes the award-winning literary journal Stone Canoe. For over 12 years, Stone Canoe has focused on making the work of Upstate NY writers and artists available to a national audience. Originally published by Syracuse University, the journal now calls the DWC home.