Clapp Memorial Library

Teen Write Night
2022-10-21 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Calling all young writers, poets, playwrights, and novelists! The Clapp Memorial Library will resume in-person creative writing programs, or “Teen Write Nights,” for students in grades 7-12 throughout the month of November. This program celebrating National Novel Writing Month is a great opportunity for teen writers to get feedback, build community, participate in writing exercises and grow their word count. There will be an Information Session for interested teens on Friday, October 21st, from 4:00-5:00PM. Young writers should e-mail clapplibrarytab@gmail.com for more information about the program and to register. No creative writing experience is necessary!

National Novel Writing Month Meetup
2022-11-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Date: November 4th, 2022 6pm – 8pm
Are you participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November? Join us at the Clapp Memorial Library for a write in! Bring your laptop, notebook and pen, or even your typewriter and participate in some timed word sprints, where we’ll challenge ourselves to write as many words as we can within the allotted time. This event is for adults 18+. For more information, contact Annie at the library: macona@cwmars.org

Teen Write Night: Sundaes & Stories
2023-07-26 17:00 - 18:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to the Clapp Memorial Library on Wednesday, July 26th from 5:00-6:00PM for a Teen Write Night: Sundaes & Stories program. Teens will be invited to partake in an ice cream sundae-making station as they play writing games and write together. No creative writing experience is necessary to attend. All attendees will earn a raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program. Teens are encouraged to bring a laptop, or a notebook and pen/pencil to this program (as well as a sweet tooth!)
To sign up for Summer Reading, visit clapplibrary.beanstack.com or use the Beanstack app.

Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors
2023-09-27 18:30 - 19:00 | Virtual, MA
Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors with Tory Stephens Climate Fiction Creative Manager for Grist
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th 6:30—7:00 PM EST
Virtual Event: Email clapp@cwmars.org for Zoom link!
Join Tory Stephens of Grist Magazine, an independent non-profit media organization focused on the climate crisis, and learn how he created Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors. Imagine is a storytelling initiative that calls for fiction writers to envision the next 180 years of equitable climate progress, imagining intersectional worlds of abundance, adaptation, reform, and hope. The initiative also seeks narratives that center solutions from the communities most impacted by the climate crisis, and stories that are rooted in cultural authenticity (a deep sense of place, customs, cuisine, and more) and rich subcultures that uplift traditions not often seen in mainstream literature. Over the course of three years the project has encouraged 3,000 plus writers from 91 countries to submit stories, and of which 700,000 people have read. Writers and readers alike will enjoy this climate justice romp.
About the Speaker: Tory Stephens creates opportunities that transform organizations and shift culture. He is a resource generator and community builder for social justice issues, people, and movements. He currently works at Grist Magazine as their climate fiction creative manager, and uses storytelling to champion climate justice, and imagine green, clean, and just futures. In another life he owned a kick-butt streetwear company, and he would have gotten away with eating the last cookie too, if it weren’t for his three meddling kids.

Program is part of Climate Prep Week, and is hosted by libraries through out Massachusetts and is coordinated with CREW and Blue Marble Librarians. This year, CREW’s theme recognizes the interconnectedness of climate change with other injustices such as health, race, food, ableism, and so many more. The impacts of extreme weather affect all of us, but it’s also important to recognize that the consequences are not experienced equally. CREW is planning on hosting 3-5 central events this year focussing on climate education and uplifting the work of organizations supporting environmental justice (EJ) communities.

Teen Write Night: Info Night
2023-10-25 17:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Attention young writers, poets, playwrights, and novelists! Teen Write Nights, a weekly creative writing program for students in grades 7-12, will soon resume at the Clapp Memorial Library. This program celebrating National Novel Writing Month is a great opportunity for young writers to get feedback, build community, participate in writing exercises and grow their word count. There will be an Information Session for interested teens on Wednesday, October 25th from 5:30-6:30PM. Young writers should email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com for more information about the program and to register. No creative writing experience is necessary!

Teen Write Nights (November 2023)
2023-11-01 17:30 - 19:00, 2023-11-08 17:30 - 19:00, 2023-11-15 17:30 - 19:00, 2023-11-29 17:30 - 19:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Teens in grades 7-12 are invited to weekly Teen Write Nights throughout November as part of the Clapp Memorial Library’s annual program for young writers during National Novel Writing Month. Teen writers will get feedback, build community, participate in writing exercises, and grow their word count. Teens can attend as many Teen Write Nights as desired; frequent attendance means more chances to win prizes at the final party in December. Teen Write Nights will be on Wednesdays in November from 5:30-7:00PM. (There will be no Teen Write Night on the 22nd due to the holiday.) The first Teen Write Night of November will take place in the library’s Activity Room on Wednesday, November 1st, from 5:30-7:00PM. Young writers can e-mail clapplibrarytab@gmail.com for more information about the program and to register.

National Novel Writing Month Write-Ins
2023-11-03 18:00 - 20:00, 2023-11-29 18:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Fri. November 3rd & Wed. November 29th
6pm – 8pm
Join us at the Library for some NaNowrimo write-ins! Bring your laptop, notebook & pen, or even your typewriter and participate in some timed word sprints, where we’ll challenge ourselves to write as many words as we can in the allotted time. This event is for adults 18+.
For more information, contact Annie at the Library: macona@cwmars.org

Teen Write Night: T.G.I.O. Party
2023-12-06 17:30 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Students who attended any Teen Write Night in November are invited to a Teen Write Night Party at the Clapp Memorial Library on Wednesday, December 6th from 5:30-6:30PM. Email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.

Novel Writing Month Write-In
2024-11-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Join us at the library for a Novel Writing Month Write-in! Bring your laptop, notebook & pen, or even your typewriter and participate in some timed word sprints, where we’ll challenge ourselves to write as many words as we can. This event is for adults 18+. For more information, contact Annie: macona@cwmars.org

Clapp Memorial Library/BHS Writing Club Team-Up
2024-12-16 14:15 - 15:00 | Belchertown High School, 142 Springfield Road, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The BHS Writing Club and the Clapp Memorial Library are teaming up for a writing workshop for teens in grades 7-12! Ruthie Sterling, a novelist and the Clapp Memorial Library’s Teen Services Coordinator, will run a writing workshop based on the Letters About Literature Writing Contest from the MA Center for the Book. The workshop will take place from 2:15-3:00PM on Monday, December 16th in Room 318 at Belchertown High School. This contest, which has a maximum cash prize of $200, was won by a Belchertown student in 2020. Attend this workshop, and you might be next! Students in grades 7-12 who do not attend Belchertown High School must email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register. Visit https://www.massbook.org/letters-about-literature for more information about the annual contest.

You Wrote a Book, Now What? Session I: Publishing Tips
2025-01-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
Calling all writers! The Clapp Memorial Library invites you to learn about getting published and receive feedback on your work from a literary agent! Registration required, program is full. Thank you!
Session I: Publishing Tips – Saturday Jan 18, 2pm
Gain an insider’s view of book publishing with literary agent Jan Kardys from Black Hawk Literary Agency, Jan will share her 40 years of experience inside 10 major NYC book publishers on such topics as developing a concept, writing a manuscript, editing, finding a literary agent, book proposals, how to get the attention of a literary agent, components of a novel, self-publishing vs. traditional book publishing, subsidiary rights, marketing, utilizing the most cutting-edge technologies and social media services to increase visibility to literary agents, publishers and readers alike.
Session II: Manuscript Feedback – Saturday Feb 8, 2pm
Interested in getting feedback on your manuscript? In this session, writers may submit their query letter along with the first 15 pages of their manuscripts for Black Hawk’s editorial comments and feedback. Instructions on how to write a query letter will be provided in the first session. We encourage you to bring your 15-page manuscript to the first session to allow time for editorial feedback in the second session.
Both sessions will take place on the main floor of the library.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Clapp Memorial Library.

You Wrote a Book, Now What? Session II: Manuscript Feedback
2025-02-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States

Zine Workshop for Teens
2025-07-09 17:00 - 18:30 | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library will be hosting a Zine Workshop for Teens in collaboration with Flywheel Arts Collective on Wednesday, July 9 from 5:00-6:30PM. Participants will be shown examples of zines and learn a little bit about their history. They will then be taught how to make their own one-page minizine using paper, markers, collage materials, and other supplies, and will leave the workshop with their own zine! This program is for students ages 12-18. Registration is required. Email macona@cwmars.org or call the library to sign up. All attendees will earn a raffle ticket for the Teen Summer Reading Program.

Writing Contest Workshop
2025-11-17 14:15 - 15:00 | Belchertown High School, 142 Springfield Road, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The BHS Writing Club and the Clapp Memorial Library are teaming up for a writing workshop for teens! Ruthie Sterling, a novelist and the library’s Teen Services Coordinator, will run a writing workshop based on the Letters About Literature Writing Contest at a BHS Writing Club meeting. The workshop will take place from 2:15-3:00PM on Monday, November 17th in Room 318 at Belchertown High School. Just last year, a BHS student placed in this contest, which has a maximum cash prize of $200! Attend this workshop, and you might be next! Teens who do not attend Belchertown High School must email clapplibrarytab@gmail.com to register.

Clapp Writing Group
2026-01-07 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-21 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-04 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-18 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-04 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-18 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:00 and 4 more dates | Clapp Memorial Library, 19 South Main Street, Belchertown, MA, 01007, United States
The Clapp Memorial Library hosts a bi-weekly writing group for adults aged 18+. Whether you write romance, mystery, fantasy, non-fiction, poetry, children’s books, or screenplays, you’re welcome to join us! Come meet with other writers and share what you’ve been working on over the past month, work on your writing, and more. If you are interested, contact Annie at the library to sign up: macona@cwmars.org
