Who Are We?
Bright House Writers is a Creative Writing workshop in Chesterfield, MO. Our groups meet monthly to support writers with community, feedback, and creative structure. In-person and virtual workshops are available.
Find Your Voice. Finish Your Work.
Most writers don't lack ideas. They lack structure, accountability, and people who actually get it. That's what Bright House Writers is for.
These monthly workshops bring together writers of all levels to share work and exchange feedback. Led by Brad Smith, a published poet, fiction writer, and longtime educator, Bright House Writers offers the kind of thoughtful instruction and honest feedback you'd expect from a graduate writing program, without the cost or the pressure.
When you join Bright House Writers, you can expect:
- A creative community that encourages, challenges, and inspires you
- Thoughtful, generous feedback from readers who want to help you achieve your creative vision
- Built-in accountability through monthly deadlines that keep your project moving forward
- Manageable milestones that make long-term projects feel less overwhelming
- A renewed sense of why you started writing in the first place
One-on-One Coaching
Sometimes writers want additional support beyond the workshop. Brad offers individual coaching sessions for writers who want focused, personalized support on a specific project or challenge.
A one-on-one session may provide you with:
- Detailed, page-level feedback on your manuscript
- A discussion of practical solutions to creative problems
- Break down long-term projects into manageable steps
- A literary relationship with a skilled writer and longtime teacher of writing
Sessions are flexible and tailored entirely to your needs. To learn more, visit the One-on-One Workshops page.
Pricing
Monthly Workshops
$100/workshop (first one is FREE)
- Includes: access to the private message board for submitting and reviewing work
- Ongoing support and connection within the Bright House Writers community
1-on-1 Private Coaching
$150/hour
- Includes: step-by-step collaborative building of your project, including reasonable deadlines and a practical schedule
- Written feedback
- In-person conversation about your project
Packages
The Kickstart
Duration: 2 months
Included:
2 Monthly Workshops
2 1-on-1 Private Coaching Sessions
Price: $500 $400 (20% off)
The Momentum Builder
Duration: 3 months
Included:
3 Monthly Workshops
3 1-on-1 Private Coaching Sessions
Price: $750 $600 (20% off)
The Author's Circle
Duration: 3 months
Included:
3 Monthly Workshops
6 1-on-1 Private Coaching Sessions
Price: $1200 $960 (20% off)
About Brad
Brad Smith has a PhD in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Missouri (Columbia) and an MFA in Creative Writing from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas (Austin). His work has been published in journals such as New American Writing, Colorado Review, and Ninth Letter, as well as the Best New Poets anthology. He is the author of Diorama of a People, Burning from Ricochet Editions (2012) and a winner of the Academy of American Poets College Prize.
Brad has taught literature and creative writing courses at the University of Missouri (Columbia) and Truman State University, including Introduction to Creative Writing, Intermediate Poetry, Advanced Fiction Workshop, Introduction to Literary Genres: Short Story, Applying Literary Theory, American Literature: Romanticism-Modernism, and an interdisciplinary course on Rock Music. His book reviews have appeared at THEthe Poetry, and he served as an Artist-in-Residence at BetterFarm Education Center in Redwood, New York.
Testimonials
COMING SOON
If you've participated in a workshop and want to share your experience, Brad would love to hear from you.
Common Questions
- Is this for beginners or advanced writers? Both. Brad adapts his feedback to each writer's experience and goals.
- What if I've never shared my writing before? Completely fine. Many participants start exactly there. The environment is kind, honest, and focused on helping each other improve. You'll never be pushed to share more than you're ready to.
- Do I need to be working on a specific project? Nope. Some writers come with a manuscript in progress. Others use the workshop to generate new material and figure out what they want to write.
- How is this different from a college creative writing class? Same depth of feedback and discussion, without the tuition, grades, or prerequisites. Just experienced mentorship and a community focused on your goals.
- Can I join from outside St. Louis? Yes. The Virtual Workshop is for you!
- What genres are welcome? Fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Writers working in hybrid or experimental forms are welcome too.
- How do I sign up? Send an email to BrightHouseWriters@gmail.com
A Note on Scope
Bright House Writers workshops are designed for creative development, skill-building, and community. They are not a substitute for academic degree programs or licensed counseling services.
For more information, visit the full Disclaimer page.