Spring Break Writers’ Camp to groom budding authors

Local writers and educators Amy Rosenbluth and Cynthia Larsen have a dream. They want to encourage young authors from the Heights to pursue creative writing excellence. Both have worked with the public schools, homeschoolers and the library in many capacities, but always progressing toward their goal.

This year they formed Lake Erie Ink, a nonprofit organization that encourages creative writing by young people. They hope to one day have a storefront creative writing center, but for now they are content to partner with the library. They founded two clubs for children and teen authors, which meet at the various library branches. A Monticello Middle School group will start meeting on March 17 and will relocate to the Noble Neighborhood Library when it reopens in May.

“The kids write crazy stories, creative nonfiction and powerful poetry,” Rosenbluth said. They also create graphic novels, songs, and fiction.

Larsen added that each quarter the clubs publish collections of their work. “These clubs are for kids who have a lot to say and no place to say it all,” she said.

In addition to the regular clubs, Lake Erie Ink is hosting a one-day camp for 4th though 8th graders during spring break on Wednesday, March 30 from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The students will write poetry, fiction, combine words with art, and create a comic strip. Lunch will be provided. It is free and open to the first 20 students who register with the library by calling 216-932-3600. For more information, e-mail clarsen@lakeerieink.org.

Nancy Levin is the director of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library.