author events, writing workshops and manuscript services
private writing guidance
I offer friendly and honest feedback and/or editing services for your writing projects (short stories, novels, essays, blogs, etc.). See the CONTACT page and shoot me an email to chat about this.
upcoming workshops and events
During Kripalu's Best of the Berkshires Week, June 17–21 2019, I'll present a 90-minute writing workshop, Scarlet Letters: Writers of the Berkshires. Class description: The Berkshire region has long been an enticing place for writers. Learn about four prominent authors who lived and wrote nearby: W.E.B. Du Bois (of Great Barrington), Nathaniel Hawthorne (of Stockbridge), Herman Melville (of Pittsfield), and Edith Wharton (of Lenox). In this informal writing workshop, we'll read brief excerpts from the authors, consider their ties to the area, and try some brief writing exercises of our own. No prior writing experience necessary. June 20, 7:30-9:00 pm. For registered Kripalu guests: 866.200.5203
October 13, 2019, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (lunch available) - This fall I'll debut a new day-long workshop called Social Media Break, a chance to unplug and create on the lovely grounds of Genesis Center in Westfield, MA. We'll write, collage and sing along to the sweet songs of Bobby Sweet. $55, includes lunch. Please call Genesis to register: 413 562 3627 - 53 MILL STREET, WESTFIELD, MA 01085
ONGOING: R & R Retreat JOURNALING and ARTS Workshops @ Kripalu Center, Stockbridge, MA
Weekly memoir, collage, poetry, nature writing and singing classes offered to registered Kripalu guests.
why and how I teach
As a creative writing adjunct professor at Rutgers University (2002-2010), I taught fiction and non-fiction courses to students with rich stories to tell. I now serve as writing faculty for Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health and the Berkshire Festival of Women Writers; the stories I hear continue to hold fascination.
In addition to traditional writing workshops in fiction and non-fiction (in which members read one another's writing over the course of several meetings), I offer non-traditional classes (day, weekend or week-long). Please scroll down for details. I believe in creating a safe, supportive environment in which writers can feel free to be messy and bold. I believe in honest kindness and kind honesty. I like to make jokes. I can't promise they'll be funny. I'll never force you to share words that need to remain private. I consider it my privilege to hold space for your creative efforts.
For more information, please get in touch via the CONTACT page.
testimonials
Kind endorsements from class participants:
"I recently took your class, The Traveling Mindset, which was terrific! Your workshop offered me permission to write. Thank you for your kind guidance." -Amy, Kripalu Center
"Your workshop has helped me stay connected to myself—I’m now writing every day. I think I can speak for all of us [in class] when I say you are a great mentor. Thank you for your kindness and care." –Elaine, Kripalu Center
"I like that you’re in the world, Lara Tupper."
"I had a breakthrough, thanks to you-- I truly enjoyed your weekend workshop. It was calming, centering, inspiring and affirming. It was exactly what I needed." - Kathleen, Genesis Center
"Thank you again for your wonderful and evocative workshop on Gratitude Journaling. The freedom and trust with which people wrote and shared their work is a testament to the safe atmosphere that you created. I will remain grateful for the experience and for the inspiration. Many thanks again." -Gloria, Kripalu Center
"Thanks for a great class - it was one of the highlights of the weekend for me. What made it nice was the gentle community building, the short and easy 'go-around-the- room' at the start, and brief meditative centering before the Haiku Walk." -David, Kripalu Center
"Thank you for the workshops you offered today. I appreciate you bringing your gift to others and I resonate with the energy you share in your teaching. Best to you!" - Janel, Kripalu Center
"Everyone was singing your praises! You had a great crowd. You have such a lovely down to earth sincere presence and open manner, it was a pleasure to meet you in person and to be a part of your workshop."
"Lara is tough but tender."
"This instructor is kick-a$$. Love her!"
"Lara is a very focused and compassionate teacher."
"She rocked the house! It was perfect. I just want to see her sing!"
"We loved the collage workshop - in fact, [my wife] has done it a number of times since then with close friends and her sister. Breakthrough stuff. Thanks for opening that door for her!" - Ned Leavitt, founder, The Ned Leavitt Literary Agency
"See what R and R at Kripalu and one hour with you can do? Thanks, Lara, for initiating this first of many writing journeys that will find their way to the world of readers. I hope my story can change the path of even one person with HIV who feels they may not survive. Respectfully, Bill" (William's piece on living with HIV has just been published.)
"Lara created a positive atmosphere and I enjoyed the conversation she facilitated!"
"Lara is a world class writer and teacher."
"[Lara] is an inspirational presenter."
“Lara Tupper is a teacher with the ability to bring forth the very best in her students. In only a two hour session at Kripalu, Lara turned a room full of people (about 72) into confident writers – pros and novices alike. We wrote from the heart, soul and depth of past and present feelings. The sharing of our stories made all of us believe in our own creativity, abilities and in ourselves.” - Berkshire Festival of Women Writers representative Lorrin Krouss
"The writing class was my favorite. She is amazing!"
"Ms. Tupper, who presented the writing workshop on New Year's Eve, ran a fantastic session and stimulated an urge to write fiction that I'm very excited about."
PAST EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 15, 2013: Word Walks at Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center
1:00-4:00 pm
53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA 01085
Tel: 413-562-3627
WORD WALKS: 5-day program at Kripalu
JUNE 16-20, 2013: Soak in fresh air and new writing ideas in the scenic Berkshire hills. Just as Henry David Thoreau did his best thinking while sauntering through the Massachusetts woods, this workshop offers the opportunity to be guided by the beauty of Kripalu’s grounds, classic poems and essays on nature, and creative writing exercises designed to cultivate awareness. Thoreau, who walked with little regard for speed or purpose, provides an apt lesson in being present with what is.
MARCH 2013: Berkshire Festival of Women Writers
Writing Workshop, "What's Your Story?" March 28, 2013, 7:30-9:30 pm
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
DEC. 31, 2012: "Write Your Story for the New Year" 7:30 pm-8:30 pm
An intentional writing workshop for registered guests at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Stockbridge, MA. Call 413 448 3165 for further details
AUTHORS' DAY: NOV. 17, 2012 The Bushnell-Sage Library in Sheffield, MA will be holding it ninth annual Local Authors' Day on November 17th, 10:00 am- 12:30 pm. 50 local authors will be available to sign books. 48 Main Street, Sheffield, MA Phone: 413- 229-7004
2012 WRITING WORKSHOP- March 26, 2012, 6:00-7:30 pm
Presenter, Berkshire Festival of Women's Writers, Lenox Library, Lenox, MA - FREE
2011 WRITING Classes: Kripalu Center, Stockbridge, MA
"What's Your Story?"- an introduction to creative writing offered to registered Kripalu guests in October, November and December of 2011.
2010 READING: February 16, NYC
The Writers Room, 740 Broadway @ Astor Place
12th floor, 7:00 PM. FREE.
2009 EVENT: A (RUMPUS/TIN HOUSE) NIGHT AT THE HIGHLINE BALLROOM, NYC
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7:00 PM
Six-Word Memoirists read with Jonathan Ames, Ricky Moody, etc.
431 W 16th St.between 9th and 10th Ave., $10.(212) 414-5994
2009 READING: Wednesday, November 11, NYC
Launch Party/Reading, Epiphany Magazine,"Who's Still Alive" issue
Pianos. 158 Ludlow St., 7-9 PM, $5.
2009 READING: Saturday, November 7, NYC, 9:30 PM
Epiphany Magazine,"Who's Still Alive" issue
Lillian Vernon House, NYU, 58 W. 10th Street, $5
I'll read my short story ("Ting") from the new issue.
2009 EVENT: MAY 30, NYC, HIGHLINE BALLROOM
McSweeney's, Smith Mag, and the Rumpus present
comedy, music and readings with Amy Tan and special guests,
including 6-word memoirists.
431 W 16th St, New York, NY, between 9th and 10th Ave,
(212) 414-5994, 7:00 PM. $12.00
2009 EVENT: February 13, AWP Conference, Chicago
"Approaches to Historical Fiction" : Panel Discussion with authors Varley O'Connor, Vyvyane Loh and James Reed.
2009 EVENT: February 9, NYC, 7:00 PM
Six-Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak
McNally Jackson, 52 Prince St. (b/t Lafayette & Mulberry), 212.274.1160
2009 Launch Party: January 31, Southport, MAINE
Come celebrate the Harbor Journal, Volume II, at the Southport Town Hall from 12:00 -3:00 PM.
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2008 MAINE EVENT: July 12
"Books and Blooms." sponsored by the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, Coastal Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine, 12:30-3:30 PM. Join LT and other Maine writers for an afternoon of books and cool plants.
2008 READING: Monday, JUNE 2, Oceanside, NY
Gazebo Reading, Schoolhouse Green on Foxhurst Road, Oceanside, New York (just east of Long Beach Road), 7:00 PM. Free. www.schoolhousegreen.org
2008 READING, NYC: April 15
On Tuesday, April 15, at the Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia Street b/w 6th and 7th Aves. Subway: West 4), 6:00 PM, with fellow Writers Room Readers. I'll be reading an excerpt from my novel in progress, a fictional account of Paul Gauguin's marriage. ($7, which includes a glass of wine.)
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2008 EVENT: March 25, 5:00 PM, RUTGERS U., New Brunswick, NJ
Opening reception for the annual celebration of faculty authors:
Archibald S. Alexander Library, Remigio U. Pane Room, 1st Floor
169 College Avenue, New Brunswick
"The Rutgers University Libraries' annual exhibition and reception will shine a spotlight on the superlative scholarship at Rutgers by highlighting the recent publications of university faculty. Publications will be added to the Rutgers University Libraries’ collections when the exhibition closes."
The exhibition will run from March 27 to April 30. To RSVP, call 732-932-7505, or email events@rci.rutgers.edu.
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Good news for Barry fans! 5.4.07
NOVELTOWN interview, complete with Barry Manilow pix!
http://www.nlbelardes.com/blogger/2007/05/lara-tupper-talks-about-her-novel.html
Here's a teaser:
Noveltown: I noticed on your website that you are a member of the Barry Manilow International Fan Club. Was that for professional reasons or are you a true Manilow fan?
Lara: We Fanilows need to stick together! I'm absolutely serious about my BMIFC membership--there's a long, sad tale that follows. I'll try to make it short: My Nana bought my first Barry album when I was five. As a 'tween I had a Barry poster (white jumpsuit, feathered hair, medallion) and actually kissed it every night. I had a bumper sticker (BARRY M. LOVES LARA T.) and somehow convinced myself that he'd sent it personally (again--my Nana). And then, in 1993, I worked at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan and SANG with him! He needed a back up choir for a concert there, the very last verse of "I Write the Songs" at the end of the show. So I sang the song and that was it--I never even met him backstage. I've since been to Vegas to see him with my mom and to Madison Square Garden to see him here in NYC. He's my Myspace friend, which is nice, but I'm still dying to meet him. I've even thought about enlisting Oprah—she has a page on her site called Do You Want To Meet A Hot Celebrity?. (If you apply and have a convincing enough case, she'll help out.) I think Barry would enjoy the book—he was a lounger himself in the early days.
For more:
http://www.nlbelardes.com/blogger/2007/05/lara-tupper-talks-about-her-novel.html
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New short story in "Fivechapters," 4/07.
Please visit www.fivechapters.com (archives, Tupper) or hit the link on the sidebar of my homepage. While you're there, check out stories by Nick Hornby, Rick Moody, Jennifer Egan and Curtis Sittenfeld. (Just remember to read mine first.)
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NOW out from Zone 3: "Glass," a NEW short story by LT (Honorable Mention, Fiction Award 2006, fall 2006 issue).
FROM THE ZONE 3 website, http://www.apsu.edu/zone3/
"Zone 3 is a non-profit journal published by the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. Single issues are $5.00; please address orders to the editors of Zone 3 at Box 4565, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37044." Hope you enjoy!
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LITERARY GARDEN PARTY, Camden, Maine, AUGUST 1, 2007, 2-5 PM
Hosted by Jonathan Lethem, Tess Gerritsen, Jennifer Boylan, Richard Russo, Richard Ford and the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance.
BOOK SIGNING: Saturday, July 21, 2007, BOOTHBAY, MAINE, Books and Blooms (sponsored by the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance), Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Barters Island Road, 12:30 to 3:30 PM, (207) 633-4333.
READING: Wednesday, July 18, 2007, BOOTHBAY HARBOR, MAINE, Boothbay Region Memorial Library, 4 Oak Street, 7:00 PM, "Under the Lilac Groves," 207-633-3112.
READING: Wednesday, June 13, 2007, PORTLAND, MAINE, Brown Bag Lecture, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square,12:00 NOON.
READING: Friday, June 8, 2007, PORTLAND, MAINE, Books Etc., 38 Exchange St., 7:00 PM
BOOK SIGNING: Monday, June 4, 2007, BOOTHBAY HARBOR, MAINE - Sherman's Books, 5 Commercial St., 6:00-8:00 PM.
GUEST SPEAKER, ALUMNI BANQUET: SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2007, for graduates of Boothbay Region High School, Fisherman's Wharf, BOOTHBAY HARBOR, MAINE, 6:00 PM. I'd love to see familiar faces from the class of '91!
MAY 23, 2007: RADIO APPEARANCE, The Joey Reynold's Show, LIVE Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. If you’re able to tune in from 2:00 AM to 3:00 AM EST (May 23), please do!
Here’s the link for the radio station, WOR New York 710:
http://www.wor710.com/pages/46370.php
READING: Wednesday, May 16, 2007, WASHINGTON DC
Olsson's Books-Dupont Circle, 1307 19th St., NW (one block south of Dupont Circle), 7:00 PM
READING/BOOK SIGNING: Sunday, April 1, 2007, BOOTHBAY HARBOR, MAINE - Townsend Avenue Coffee House and Wine Bar, 53 Townsend Ave., 2:00 PM
READING: Monday, March 26, 2007, WASHINGTON, DC
Chapters A Literary Bookstore, 445 11th St., N.W, 7:00 PM
READING: Tuesday, March 20, 2007, NEW YORK CITY
Writers Room Readers, Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia Street, between Bleeker and West 4th), 6:00 PM, $6.00 (BUT you get a free glass of wine!)
READING: Wednesday, March 7, 2007, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY
"Writers from Rutgers" Reading Series, Rutgers University, 169 College Avenue, New Brunswick (Alexander Library, 4th floor), 4:30 PM
READING: Saturday, February 24, 2007, PHILADELPHIA
U. Penn. Bookstore (Barnes and Noble), University Square, 3601 Walnut Street, 2:00 PM
READING: Wednesday, February 21, 2007, NEW YORK CITY
sponsored by Ballyhoo Stories, Think Coffee, 248 Mercer (@3rd Street), 8:00 PM
TV INTERVIEW with Rob Caldwell on "207" WCSH Channel 6, Maine, February 19, 2007, 7:00 PM
Interview on WKCR 89.9 FM NY, Friday 2/16.07, 9-10 PM
www.wkcr.org
Art Waves: An interview with writer Lara Tupper about her debt novel, "A Thousand and One Nights," which follows the adventures of a cabaret duo through cruise ships and hotel lounges around the world. Also included is a reading by the author and music on the theme of the "Arabian Nights." Hosted by Anne Cammon
READING: Wednesday, February 14, 2007, NEW YORK CITY
with David Evanier and Pauls Toutonghi, Happy Ending Reading Series, Happy Ending Bar, 302 Broome St. @ Forsyth, 8:00 PM
READING: Saturday, February 10, 2007, CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA
Books and Books, 265 Aragon Avenue, 7:00 PM
READING: Thursday, February 8, 2007, AVENTURA (N. Miami), FLORIDA
Aventura Barnes and Noble, 18711 NE Biscayne Blvd, 7:00 PM
READING: Tuesday, February 6, 2007, NEW YORK CITY
West Village Barnes and Noble (396 6th Ave at 8th St.), 7:30 PM.
READING: Monday, January 29, 2007, NEW YORK CITY
with the amazing JIM SHEPARD, The Readers Room, Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction (34 Ave. A and 3rd Street), 7:00 PM
INTERVIEW: Check out my hometown paper, The Boothbay Register! (November 9, 2006)