Gotham Writers Workshop — Local services in New York

I was really looking forward to enrolling in a course with Doug at Gotham Writers, but my experience with their student services left a lot to be desired .The problem was the way my inquiry was handled by the Dean of Students, Dana Miller. Not only did she incorrectly state that I had been enrolled in a prior class (when I was only on a waitlist for a different course ), but she even mention that Gotham don't want my "hard earned money" to be spend for a course that I am maybe not prepred. Instead of asking about my background or trying to find a helpful solution, the tone quickly turned defensive and dismissive. What really surprised me was her final message, which read: "Certainly feel free to dissuade people from taking our classes, but just take into account how we actually do business."

This is not something that you expect from , unprofessional and contrary to good customer service especially with the potential students .

Also, I found their enrollment and payment process confusing. I could technically enroll online, but was told my registration would be flagged for consultation — which contradicts the open registration system they claim to have. It feels inconsistent and unwelcoming.

As someone who also participated in Gotham's free classes at Bryant Park, I was genuinely excited to engage more deeply with their programs. All of the teachers had wonderful personalities, and although there are many other courses available in New York, I chose to enroll with Gotham because I found their free summer classes to be an excellent opportunity, for which I was truly grateful. On the other hand , if there is clear selection who can attend what , that should be perfectly clear written...

If Gotham Writers were a person, they’d be the friend who always has an interesting story, never flakes on plans, and somehow knows how to fix your life with one sentence. I’ve taken classes here for years, and every instructor is like a literary sherpa—guiding you through your clumsy drafts with wit, wisdom, and just the right amount of sarcasm. They’ll tell you your protagonist is about as believable as a unicorn at a dog show, but they’ll do it with such charm you’ll thank them. The variety of classes is staggering. Want to write a memoir? A novel? A haiku about your childhood dentist? They’ve got you covered. There’s a class for every genre, every skill level, and every weird corner of your imagination. Plus, the flexibility is unmatched—online, in-person, late-night sessions for insomniacs who think best at 2 a.m. - if you live in Europe or other interesting part of the world of course. They’ve thought of everything except maybe snacks, but let’s not get greedy. Every session leaves me feeling both wildly inspired and slightly terrified—like I’ve been handed a blueprint to the Sistine Chapel and told, “You can do this, just don’t screw it up.” And honestly? I believe them. If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I’ll write that book one day,” Gotham Writers will take your “one day” and turn it into “right now.” You’ll laugh, learn, and probably end up with a story about your weird uncle that’s better than you ever imagined. Go. Sign up. Write something brilliant. Or at least something slightly less terrible...

I had an incredible time as a student at Gotham! I just finished their 10-week Fiction II workshop and it couldn't have been a better experience. As someone who has their B.A. in creative writing and has taken multiple workshops in both fiction and poetry, I can say with confidence that the workshop atmosphere at Gotham is legit.

In the world of writing, it's important to have a group of people who support you and who are willing to invest their time and energy into helping you put together your best work and Gotham really does create that kind of community. It was clear to me from the outset of my class that the instructor and every student there was serious about writing and was there to get better and help everyone else get better as well. The material for the class was thorough, informative, and engaging. The class was a safe space where everyone was comfortable with being creative, making mistakes, and asking questions. I learned a lot about the craft in those 10 weeks and I developed much more confidence in my work.

On another note, the office staff at Gotham is the best! Everyone there is friendly and welcoming and they go above and beyond to make sure their students have a great experience. I'm very much looking forward to taking more classes with them...