Policies

Freedom of Expression | Health &  Safety Policy | Inclement Weather | Program Cancellation | Makeups | Trial Classes & Drop-ins | Refunds/Withdrawal | Private Youth Sessions

Freedom of Expression Policy

At The Writers Circle, we respect our students’ imaginations and their right to explore any aspect of creative self-expression. Especially in our children’s classes, we believe in leaving plenty of room for the wild, ridiculous, tasteless, rude, and occasionally frightening fantasies that often frequent young people’s minds.

Creative writing is the perfect place to safely indulge these notions. While our imaginary characters live out dangerous situations or questionable behaviors, we writers maintain a safe personal distance from which we can explore our curiosities, anxieties, and fears.

When writing in our workshops, children can freely approach any subject they choose and write it in any manner that inspires them. If their topic, language or other facet of their work verges on the inappropriate, we demand firm literary justification for their choices.

At the same time, we never want our students to feel unsafe or threatened by the topics their peers address.  We do not permit provocative or intentionally destructive expression; nor do we allow racism, prejudice or personally aimed attacks.

Should any of these issues arise in the normal course of creative self-expression, we make every effort to redirect the writer toward a constructive discussion of their choice, working toward a productive approach that focuses on the context of the writing while never personally condemning or criticizing the writer.

 
Health & Safety Policy

At The Writers Circle, the health and safety of all of our students and instructors come first. Therefore, all in-person and hybrid programs will follow CDC and NJ health & safety guidelines and recommendations. TWC STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT ALL IN-PERSON STUDENTS BE FULLY VACCINATED AND BOOSTED to the extent recommended by health professionals and/or the CDC.

At this time, most TWC workshops are mask friendly; mask optional. Your instructor will inform you about masking requirements for their specific classes.

All participants must complete our COVID-19 Release before the first day of their workshop: 

• For Adults
• For Children/Teens – to be completed by parent/guardian

Do not attend in-person workshops if you feel unwell, even if you have non-COVID symptoms or health issues.

The Writers Circle reserves the right to shift any in-person or hybrid program to virtual instruction based on the health and safety recommendations of the CDC, WHO, the State of New Jersey, or other authorities or involved parties.

Inclement Weather

For the safety of our students and instructors, The Writers Circle in-person classes will move to virtual instruction when the local school systems close where we teach. In addition, we may move to virtual instruction when we feel that weather threatens safe travel. If, due to inclement weather or other unavoidable situation, the power goes out at our instructor’s location, we will schedule a makeup as soon as conveniently possible.

Additionally, because some of our instructors travel from far away, an individual teacher may move to virtual instruction or cancel a class even if the location is open. If so, the teacher will email the entire class – please always check your email before venturing out. In addition, we will use Facebook, Twitter, and our website to announce all relevant changes.

Make-ups are honored through the session in which you are registered. Up to two classes may be carried over into the following session.  No make-ups are permitted after the subsequent session has ended.  Please see our Workshops page for your options and contact us in advance so that we can notify the teacher to expect you.

Program Cancellation Policy

Workshops or events that do not reach their minimum registration are at risk of cancellation.  Often registrations occur at the last minute. The Writers Circle does its best to wait as long as possible before cancelling any program.  Registered students are notified by email approximately 5 days prior to the scheduled program start date if their program is under-registered.  Cancellation is announced by email approximately 2 days prior to the scheduled program start date and registered students will be provided with opportunities for alternate programs, credits, or refunds.  The best way to ensure that a program runs is to register at least one week prior to the scheduled start of any workshop or event. 

Make-up Classes

If you miss a class, you may make it up in another age-appropriate workshop. Contact us at least 24 hours in advance of the class that you would like to attend so that we can keep track of your attendance and notify the appropriate instructor.  Only three make-ups are permitted per session.  Make-ups are honored through the session in which you are registered. Up to two classes may be carried over into the following session.  No make-ups are permitted after the subsequent session has ended.  We cannot prorate or refund tuition fees to accommodate previously missed classes.

Trial Classes & Drop-in Students

Except where specifically noted in class descriptions, Trial Classes and Drop-in students are allowed only by prior arrangement with The Writers Circle, and only if the class in question has reached its minimum registration and has not yet reached the maximum number of students.

• ADVANCE NOTICE IS REQUIRED. Contact us at least 24 hours in advance of the class you would like to attend so we can keep track of your attendance and notify the appropriate instructor.
• Make your PAYMENT HERE.  Payment is required before attending the class.
  • Trial Class/Drop-in fees:
    • Children: $40/class
    • Teens: $40/class
    • Adults: $45/class
  • Checks are reluctantly accepted.  Payment is due at the beginning of each class.  Please make your check payable to “The Writers Circle, LLC”.
  • Cash cannot be accepted under any circumstances. 

If you decide to formally join the class, please complete your registration online. Your tuition will be pro-rated by our registration system for the remainder of the class.

NOTE: Priority is always given to fully-registered students.  Instructors will make every effort to make time for a walk-in student to participate and share their work. However, please recognize that the teacher cannot short-change fully registered students or adjust the lesson because of a drop-in student.

The drop-in policy is NOT a substitute for registering your student.  We occasionally must cancel classes because of low registration. Registering is the only way to ensure that a class will run, which is obviously good for all.

Refund & Withdrawal Policies

Students who choose to withdraw after payment of weekly classes have the following options:

• Request a refund. All withdrawals are subject to TWC’s non-refundable administrative fee of $40. Absolutely no refunds are issued after the second class of any session, except in the case of medical emergency.
• Request a credit. TWC will hold any outstanding tuition as a credit to be used for another TWC workshop or event within two consecutive sessions of withdrawal.

The refund policy for students attending the Summer Creative Writing Intensives is as follows:

• Refund Fee $100 per session.
• Absolutely no refunds are issued after June 30, except in the case of medical emergency.

Due to the short length of the program, we can only offer credits for withdrawal from WordSMASH Mini-Camps.

Only credit is available for withdrawal from Events, and must be requested prior to the day upon which the event is scheduled.

Private Youth Sessions

For the safety and comfort of all involved, TWC requires that a parent or guardian to be present during all private youth sessions held in any private home.  If this is not possible, our instructor will suggest a public meeting place like a library or coffee shop.

Thank you for your cooperation and adherence to these policies.

Contact us if you have any questions.