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First Selectman Jim Marpe welcomed the studio, the brainchild of co-founders Tessa Smith McGovern and Carol Leonetti Dannhauser. He noted it is the third writers’ studio in town, and is now part of a long history of authors, journalists and poets living and working in Westport.
“That’s part of Westport’s DNA,” he said.
Fairfield County Writers’ Studio offers classes led by best-selling authors such as Jane Green and Linda Fairstein, well-known editors, top literary agents, television pros, and publishing and marketing experts who can help writers start, strengthen, finish and publish their fiction or non-fiction successfully.
McGovern, an Amazon best-selling author who teaches at The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, and Dannhauser, a veteran journalist who teaches at Quinnipiac University, joined forces to open the creative space for writers to learn, write and publish.
Classes and events will serve writers of all levels, from those who are just beginning to professionals eager to develop their career with master classes.
“Westport is a very creative community,” Dannhauser said. “We’re blessed to be the third studio here.”
She introduced a cadre of the studio’s faculty to those gathered, saying they were all known for their precision skills and gentle, encouraging natures.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to work with these awesome instructors,” she said.
McGovern said she sees the space evolving to explore many creative and bold platforms.
“We see a community of, I hope, friends who are helping each other,” she said.
Dannhauser agreed.
“We know writing can be a solo endeavor,” she said. “We want to provide writers with a place to grown and thrive.”
Classes will begin later this month. For a full listing of classes, visit the Fairfield County Writers’ Studio website. For more information or to sign up for classes, e-mail tessa@bookgirl.tv or call (203) 226-6971.
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