Overview

Attention all writers. Do you love kids? Are you excited by the idea of helping kids express themselves and explore their world through creative writing? Writopia Lab, an award-winning 501(c)3 nonprofit that runs writing workshops for kids ages 7 to 18, is looking for creative writing workshop instructors for our location in the Tenleytown area of DC.

Since its formation in New York City in 2007, Writopia Lab has grown into a nationwide community of young writers. Our mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in children and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing. We create a safe and engaging space for kids and teens at all stages of the writing process, and we aim to provide the creative inspiration, individual attention, and intellectual environment that may not be available to them at school.

What Writing Instructors Do

We are hiring for our summer programs! Our summer programs run Monday through Friday from early June to the middle of August. Programs are week-long, half-day intensive workshops in the mornings or afternoons. Workshops are age-based, small groups of kids and teens who are challenged to set and achieve writing goals. Workshops are a balance between fun and engaging literary games, focused writing time, and ongoing feedback from the instructor. Creative Writing Instructors act as mentors to engage with our young writers from all backgrounds, helping them tell the stories that matter to them most. We are looking for experienced instructors to lead creative writing workshops with warmth, humor, curiosity, and insight. We train instructors extensively in our method and are looking for published fiction and non-fiction authors and/or produced playwrights.

Requirements & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s preferred
• Published fiction, poetry, and/or nonfiction and/or produced plays preferred
• Enthusiasm for and experience working with youth
• Ability to reliably and consistently commute to workshop locations
• Flexibility instructing in various environments

Schedule, Location, and Pay

During the summer, instructors generally work between 15 and 30 hours per week from early June to mid-August. Instructors will work primarily in-person at our Tenleytown location.

Hourly Pay: $25-$40 per hour for instructing; $17.50 per hour for administrative tasks. Most hours will be paid at the instructing rate.

How to Apply

If you are excited by the idea of joining a community of writers and helping children and teens learn to strengthen their writing skills, please apply! Please attach your resume, cover letter, and answer the question “Why do you want to work at Writopia?”

To find out more information regarding who we are and what we do here at Writopia Lab, please visit our website at www.writopialab.org.

As of January 1, 2025 we prefer candidates to be fully vaccinated against COVID 19 including at least one booster, but documentation will not be required.

Writopia Lab uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

Writopia Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Writopia Lab does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or on any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

No phone calls, emails, or drop ins, please.