We are award-winning writers and teachers dedicated to nurturing the creative work of others.

In our combined fifty-years of instruction, we have guided countless writers on the path to fulfilling their project goals in a multitude of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenplay, graphic narrative, digital story, and expository texts. We can’t wait to support you on your journey and witness your vision bloom to life.

Laura Misco

Co-Founder

Laura Misco holds an MFA in Fiction from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington where she studied under Rebecca Lee, Wendy Brenner, Philip Gerard, and Richard Bausch. Laura’s short fiction has appeared in such publications as the Southwest Review and Midwestern Gothic, and she is a certified instructor of digital story facilitation. In her twenty-five year teaching career, Laura has guided and supported her writing students in finding their voices and building rich, singular stories and essays.

David Riordan

David Riordan holds an MFA in Fiction and an MA in Literature from McNeese State University, where he studied under Robert Olen Butler and alongside Adam Johnson, both Pulitzer Prize winners for fiction. Dave’s fiction and poetry have appeared in The Boston Review, The Laurel Review, The Review, and other publications. He has taught creative writing-fiction, poetry, and screenwriting-for over 25 years and worked as a script analyst and bookseller.

Co-Founder

  • "Dave has given me some of the most insightful and helpful writing advice I've received through the years. There are few people who know how to craft a sentence as he does and fewer still who are so willing to offer their skills to help others improve their craft. Laura has helped me craft some works that I still regard proudly as some of my best in terms of non-fiction. I am truly thankful that I got to work with her to create works that, without her keen eye, would have never come to be."

    Hugh Blewett

  • "As an instructor, Laura is kind, considerate, and passionate. She emanates genuine empathy and compassion in everything she does. Her careful editorial feedback inspires her students to craft meaningful narratives through encouraged explorations of self-introspection and cultural awareness. Dave is honesty, engaging, and creative. His proven editing expertise, in conjunction with his kind and quick-witted nature, culminates in the optimal learning environment. Through flexibility and constant, personalized support, Dave sets his students up for success, both in and outside of the workshop."

    Stephanie Ortiz