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31st Annual Creative Writing Workshop for Social Workers

Jul 15, 2022

09:00 AM - 04:30 PM

North Hall,

20 Davenport Street, Iowa City, IA 52245

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3 women seated at a classroom table with papers spread out in front of them. One woman with light skin and blonde hair is smiling toward the camera while the other 2 women (one with short gray hair and one with curly red hair) look her way

Register: https://uisharedservices.wufoo.com/forms/m1uzfsdw1d3bqux/

Annual opportunity for social workers and other helping professionals to gather in a workshop space for an intensive experience to work on their writing craft and learn how it can be leveraged, both in practice and in reflective self-care.

At this time, we are planning to hold this class in person, in Iowa City. Registrants will be notified if we must move back to a virtual, online format, and will be given an opportunity to decide if they wish to participate virtually.

Learning Objectives
Participants will:

  •  Improve creative writing skill in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, blogs etc.
  •  Understand how writing can be used as a professional tool in human services work as counselors, educators, advocates, researchers, and practitioners.

The Process
The seminar will meet in person, over the course of four days. Each day includes assignments completed on your own time and interaction in real time with the instructor and fellow participants. Activities include a mixture of presentations from guest authors, writing instruction and practice, and peer critiques of participants’ work. Several hours are reserved for individual coaching sessions with the lead instructor. Participants may be beginners or experienced—and sometimes even published—writers. Most participants have not previously attended a writing workshop, or even thought of themselves as writers. Diversity of experience, and an active interest and curiosity about the possibilities inherent in creative writing, are the essential ingredients for a fresh and exciting workshop experience.

Cost & CEUs
$525 / 24 CEU hours — Participants who complete the workshop are eligible to enroll in future sessions of our Master Class in Creative Writing for Social Workers.

About the Presenter
Ellen Szabo, M.Ed. is the primary writing instructor for the course. She is the founder of Szabo Creative Consulting, promoting the use of creative writing for personal investigation, enrichment and social change. She earned her B.A. from Harvard College, with a concentration in English and American Literature, and her M.Ed. from Columbia University Teacher’s College, in Counseling Psychology. She writes and teaches with focus on how innovation and creativity can illuminate, inspire and advocate compassionate transformation. Guest speakers will share experiences with projects related to creative writing for social change, journaling for personal growth, and/or the written word as a tool for enhancing social justice.

CLASS IS LIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact in advance at

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