Spillian and co-sponsor Writers in the Mountains invites all writers to Writing Myth, an afternoon workshop exploring a mythic space that has inspired writers and poets for more than a hundred years.

It’s September in the Catskills, when changing leaves and the onset of chilly weather bring out the writer in all of us.  On Saturday September 26, Spillian invites you to a Writing Myth, writer’s afternoon exploring its home, a meticulously restored historic mansion (a stick-style building constructed in the 1880s by the Fleischmanns family) and grounds, and the mythic space they define and perpetuate—one that has inspired writers and poets for more than a hundred years.

Whether you’re just starting to play with words on the page or are a published professional, this workshop will help you explore bringing mythic depth to your story writing.

Spillian founder, Dr. Leigh Melander, will lead workshop participants in exercises on opening a sense of myth in writing, along with a story-driven wander of the mansion and grounds, and then will invite writers to find a corner on the property to write a short story, myth, or poem inspired (directly or indirectly) by images there.

In the evening, writers will be joined by members of the public for a dinner prepared by Spillian’s gifted chef Chris McGee, and participants will have the chance to read work created in the afternoon. The event comprises an afternoon and evening of ideas, conversation, and the written word in an inspirational mythic setting complete with mountain- and foliage-view porches lined with rocking chairs, wooded walks, and a pond with benches for relaxation and meditation. The cost is modest, and the magic is free. . . .

Workshop – 1 to 5 PM
Dinner and reading – 6 PM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, NOT JUST WRITERS!
Cost: $25 plus tax for workshop & dinner/readings or just the dinner and readings
Cash bar

Reservations required. Please call 800-811-3351 for more information and to make your reservation.

The dinner and reading are open to the public, even if you are not participating in the workshop. Come and be a grand audience for your Catskills writing community! For interested writers, Spillian will share pieces created during the workshop online as part of a launch of the new website and a growing collection of creative work inspired by Spillian.

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About Leigh Melander, Ph.D.

leighpresentcampbellLeigh has an eclectic background in the arts—in music, dance, theater, writing, and graphic design—as well as in consulting for strategic planning, outreach and marketing, and event planning for over 20 years. She has performed and taught internationally as a writer, actor, dancer, singer, and harpist at universities and festivals. She has a doctorate in cultural mythology and psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and wrote her dissertation on frivolity as an entry into the world of imagination. While in California, she launched The Imaginal Institute, offering conferences and online learning opportunities on imagination, writing, and the art of possibility to audiences worldwide. She worked in educational publishing for over fifteen years and is the editor and publisher at a new independent publishing company, Meandering Press. She is currently hosting two radio shows on WIOX Community Radio 91.3 VM, an NPR Community Affiliate: Spillian Revels is a multi-faceted exploration of imagination and how to dream an idea into being, utilizing guests from Spillian driven by my work on creativity, imagination, and entrepreneurial action. Myth America is an in-depth look at stories and metaphors that shape meaning in U.S. culture; and will be featured in an upcoming History Channel series on monsters, myths, and legends. She is proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the Joseph Campbell Foundation, and is the Founding President of the nascent International Association for Myth.

About Writers in the Mountains

The workshop is generously co-sponsored by Writers in the Mountains, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a mission to provide to the general public a nurturing environment for the practice, appreciation and sharing of creative writing. For more information, visit writersinthemountains.org

About Spillian

Spillian is a place to revel in imagination so that you can remember your genius—and the genius of the world around you. Imagine past what you think is possible . . . world-class workshops, events, weddings, corporate and personal retreats, all are designed to help you launch your dreams.  spillian.com