Berkshire County Historical Society Writers Workshop Series
PITTSFIELD, Mass. —The Berkshire County Historical Society will offer a six-session, six-genre writing series for writers of all levels and areas of interest beginning Dec. 20.
The series is held one Saturday a month from 2-5 pm at Arrowhead, the historic home of Herman Melville. Fee for the workshop series is $350; participation is limited to twelve writers and participants are highly encouraged to attend every workshop.
To reserve, email education@berkshirehistory.org. Dates are subject to change. In the event of snow or blizzard conditions, workshops will be postponed.
Dec. 20, 2025 - Jana Laiz
The Art of Deep Listening – In order to be a storyteller, you must first be a great listener. Deep listening is an art form itself. The best writers often listen to conversations (sometimes even eavesdrop) to get their best dialogue ideas. Trained in various listening/storytelling techniques, such as Narrative 4, Jana will use these techniques to elicit deep listening, which can then be turned into great, detailed writing. Before the workshop, Jana will guide participants through Arrowhead. This workshop will take place in Melville's study.
Writer-In-Residence Emeritus and Education Coordinator at the Berkshire County Historical Society, Jana Laiz is a writer with a purpose, changing the world one book at a time. Her books range in topics from climate disruption, refugee issues, and equal rights to elder stories. Since being offered her residency in 2012, Jana has fallen in love with Melville and Arrowhead and continues to learn more every day. She is the award-winning author of "Weeping Under This Same Moon," "A Free Woman On God's Earth," "The Twelfth Stone," "Billy Budd in the Breadbox – The Story of Herman Melville & Eleanor," "Thirty-Five Days to Baltimore," and more. Jana leads workshops for children and adults all over the world. Learn more about her at janalaiz.com.
Jan. 17, 2026 - Lisken Van Pelt Dus
Freedom through Constraints – This workshop explores various ways that using writing constraints can help free your creative mind. Through a series of wordplay exercises and low-stakes writing prompts, participants will explore how self-imposed "rules" — whether around vocabulary, structure, or sound — can lead you to connections, insights, and directions that your controlling mind may be unaware of. The workshop will include opportunities to interact and build on one another's inventive energy.
Lisken Van Pelt Dus is an award-winning teacher and author of two full-length collections of poems, "How Many Hands to Home" (Mayapple Press 2025) and "What We're Made Of" (Cherry Grove 2016), as well as two chapbooks, "Letters to My Dead" (2022) and "Everywhere at Once" (2009). She was raised in England, the US, and Mexico, and now lives with her husband in the Berkshires, where she teaches Spanish at Berkshire Community College, martial arts at Elm Street Martial Arts, and poetry privately. Her work can be found in many print and online publications.
Feb. 21, 2026 - Barbara Newman
Legacy Storytelling Workshop ~ Bringing Memories to the Page
We all have stories… memories that if left unsaid can never be passed on. Some stories rise easily to the surface, and some need to be mined, like gold. In this session, you'll be guided to tap into recollections of the past. Prompts, memory maps and conversation will inspire you to uncover the stories that feel most meaningful.
Award-winning author, Barbara Newman, has been a storyteller for over thirty years. Her writing has spanned many mediums, from documentary filmmaking to building iconic brands. As a legacy writing coach, she experiences joy from helping others share their stories. Barbara is the award-winning author of "The Dream Catcher Codes" and is currently working on her second book, a memoir in letter form. Learn more about her at barbaranewmanauthor.com
March 21, 2026 - Amber Chand
Mandala – Creativity and Wisdom In Uncertain Times
In times of uncertainty, we seek clarity and connection. Join Amber Chand as she guides you on a transformative journey of inspiration and creativity through the sacred art of imaginative writing and mandala creation. Discover how to quiet the mind and open your heart to your inner wisdom as you unlock your creative potential and unique insights. Be ready to explore, discover, and be surprised by what wants to emerge through you. Bring a blank journal or sketchbook, colored pens, pencils, or markers.
Amber Chand, visionary guide, artist, global storyteller and author has been widely recognized for her work in global enterprise. She has been inducted into the Business Women's Hall of Fame by Baypath College (2008); her "Rwanda Journals" were published by Marie Claire (2006), and Inc. voted her Entrepreneur of the Month in 2006. Other examples of national media attention for Amber's work include articles in the Herald Tribune (European Edition), Chicago Tribune, The Boston Globe, and interviews by CNN News and National Public Radio. Learn more about her at amberchand.com
April 18, 2026 - Judy Isacoff
Awakening Awe at Arrowhead – Let's meet each other and the natural world as tender plant life emerges from the ground, budding trees color forested hills, and insects and birds animate the space around us. We meet for an immersion in creative non-fiction writing propelled by close observation of landscape features and the sky from our location at Arrowhead. Dress for an outdoor component and be prepared to record field notes.
Writer, naturalist, educator and garden designer, Judy Isacoff has published two popular columns, Nature's Turn and Eyes to the Sky, in news outlets from New York to the Berkshires. Isacoff is passionate about cultivating the sense of wonder and sense of place through her teaching and writing. She received an M.A. in creative writing and environmental education from Antioch University. Learn more about her at naturesturn.org/judy-isacoff.
May 16, 2026 - Michelle Young
How to Write and Sell Vivid Narrative Nonfiction – You've got a great story that needs to be told, but how do you get that idea onto the page and into bookstores? Join award-winning author, journalist, and entrepreneur Michelle Young, author of the bestselling book "The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland," to learn the process of narrative non-fiction writing from idea to proposal, to manuscript, to in-store. Bring your ideas and writing to learn the art of turning research into page-turning non-fiction, or to learn new skills in marketing and publicity.
Michelle Young is an award-winning journalist and author. Her latest book, "The Art Spy" was long listed for the American Library of Paris Book Award. Michelle's work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Airmail, Hyperallergic, The Forward, Town & Country, and Narratively. She is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia University, where she is a Professor of Architecture.
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