I'd recently moved to Raleigh and was looking for a new writing community, when I enrolled in my first Redbud Writing class, "Writing the Novel". I was blown away by the incredibly supportive environment Emily and Arshia have created in each of these classes. Not only is the community of writers wonderful, Emily's instruction on craft and astute comments on our work has helped me get clearer on my intentions as a writer. I've just signed up for my third six-week session, this one with Arshia, and I have no doubt that she'll bring the same level of attention to her students and her classes. The organization also holds events outside of weekly writing classes. They'll host quarterly readings as a place to share our work with an audience, they have single-day deep dive seminars, they're putting together a chapbook with people's stories and donating the proceeds to charity, and they'll host trivia nights. I truly feel like I hit the jackpot in terms of finding a writing community. Lastly, due to COVID-19, the last six-week class I participated in was online, via ZOOM, and it worked well! While I look forward to meeting in person again, I could see this being a great platform to use if physical distance prohibits you from enrolling in these classes. It's a testament to the instruction that these classes work just as well virtually. It also should be said that I look forward to these classes every week, particularly during these current, uncertain times. They've given my week the structure and accountability it needs. If you're on the fence in enrolling in this community, do it! read more

Recently finished my first course with Redbud (Writing the Novel) and absolutely loved it. I am very much on the beginner side of things but learned a ton from Emily as well as the colleagues in the course. The course was done virtually due to COVID but the format and discussions worked wonderfully. I can't recommend them enough, give it a try! read more

I took the Deep Dive into Poetry four-week online course with Ali Wood this May, and it was a great experience! It was my first Redbud class, and I was really impressed by how Ali led the class with a combination of workshopping, in-class writing time, and discussion of poems and texts on craft. We had just three students but it ended up being a benefit - lots of time to workshop! Plus, a week or so after the session ended, there was the opportunity to take part in a reading with students from other classes at Flyleaf Books. It was super nice to meet some people irl especially with everything being cancelled for so long due to covid. I highly recommend classes with Redbud! The website works well and the prices are fair (not cheap, but they offer the option to donate more if you've got it to help them offer lower cost to those who need it / do free community classes). read more

I took the Fiction I class in Durham. It was a great experience. It was really helpful to break down the writing process with Arshia and Emily, who are super enthusiastic and passionate teachers. I also loved workshopping with a group of talented writers from all over the Triangle. I highly recommend Redbud! read more

If you are looking for a class to help ener your poetry, take "Deep Dive into Poetry." Ali Wood did an excellent job of challenging us to stretch our creativity. I learned various forms of poetry and got to practice them in workshop. The in class feedback was a great way to inform each writer with constructive guidance on how to improve. I was pleasantly surprised to complete the workshop with several finished poems. Ali, thanks for designing a supportI've and challenging creative environment. Looking forward to future offerings. Best regards, Sherie Brown read more

Redbud is fast becoming one of my favorite things about living in Raleigh. The vibrant, diverse community of writers Redbud is building is so wonderful and needed. I looked for something like this for years, until Redbud arrived on the scene. I recently took Fairytale & Fiction and cannot say enough good things about the class. Arshia had deep knowledge on the subject, assigned wonderful readings, and provided writing exercises that jumpstarted my creativity in ways I couldn't have imagined. She also provided wonderful, detailed feedback on the two stories I submitted during the class. Be prepared to really work, and really learn, in these classes. read more

I had always wanted to take a writing class, but I wasn't ready to sign up for a semester long slog at the local community college. I found Redbud on one of those weekly "What's Happening in Raleigh" newsfeeds. I chose an online class to get a flavor of the kind of classes they offered before wanting to meet in-person. It was a great decision. Redbud offered exactly what I was looking for. It was a small group (6 folks) with a dedicated, interested instructor. The class was very positive and uplifting. Everyone came prepared and the dialogue was focused on encouraging one another. I learned about about theme, style, research and how to write about people (especially if they are still alive to read it). The online format made gathering quite simple logistically. I highly recommend Redbud Writing Project to you. read more

I was grateful that we were able to meet in person for intro to memoir. It was gratifying to be workshopping face to (masked) face. I can't say enough good things about our instructor Mike V. He gave practical, useful advice, kept it positive and focused, and made us all feel comfortable about sharing our beginning attempts. I love that groups are kept pretty small. We were able to get to know each other a little bit, and it gave sufficient time to devote to workshopping. I will be taking another class for sure. read more

The Memoir 1 class I took was an incredible learning experience! I am extremely thankful to Arshia and Emily for what they do and the people they are. I recommend their classes to anyone looking to improve their writing or who just want to meet people who like to write and/or want to learn more about writing. read more

The writing instruction at Redbud is exactly what I needed. I took Memoir 1 in the Fall of 2019 with Emily and learned so much from a clearly talented and caring instructor. I've taken continuing ed type writing classes before and while I found them interesting, I didn't leave feeling like I knew how to apply what we discussed to my own work. But Redbud is different. The instruction is practical and meets you where you are skill-wise. It lays a foundation that you can grow from. The feedback on your work is specific and actionable, which is rare. I've signed up for another course in January. read more