Easthampton, MA
Somehow School programs help kids and teens gain agency, confidence, and critical thinking skills through creative writing.
In our workshops, we help each student set and achieve their own creative goals, whether they want to write a short story from the point of view of a dog or a poem about time travel.
Our approach helps students stop worrying about writing “correctly” and instead start to see language more like clay--a material they can build with.
In our workshops, we help each student set and achieve their own creative goals, whether they want to write a short story from the point of view of a dog or a poem about time travel.
Our approach helps students stop worrying about writing “correctly” and instead start to see language more like clay--a material they can build with.
Week-long programs
In this program, students ages 7–13 will write and publish an issue of The Strawberry, Somehow School’s official print newspaper. No journalism experience required.
July 6–10
10:30 am–noon
Ages 7–13
July 27–31
10:30 am–noon
Ages 7–13
10:30 am–noon
Ages 7–13
August 10–14
1:30–3:00pm
Ages 7–13
In this workshop, we’ll be making zines and printing copies of them on a risograph (a giant stencil duplicator from 2008). Students can work with a variety of materials including typewriters, old newspapers, maps, old photographs, and stamps. Everyone will leave with copies of their zines to give to family and friends!
July 27–31
10:30 am–noon
Ages 10–14
August 3–7
1:30–3:00 pm
Ages 7–13
1:30–3:00 pm
Ages 7–13
Join us to make comics of all kinds! Each student will have the chance to produce ten copies of at least one of their comics on a risograph printer.
July 6–10
1:30–3:00 pm
Ages 13–18
July 20–24
10:30 am–noon
Ages 7–13
In this class we’ll be writing and (optionally) acting in short plays. Every student will have the chance to have their play put on in a final performance the evening of Friday July 17.
July 13–17
1:00–2:30 pm
Ages 7–13
July 13–17
3:30 –5:00 pm
Ages 13–18
In this workshop, we’ll explore the fundamentals of writing screenplays. Through introduction to a three-act structure, standard formatting, character motivation, and filmic vocabulary, this workshop will encourage writers to begin writing their own films. Taught by visiting instructor Gabrielle Rodriguez Gonzalez!
July 13–17
9:00–10:30 am
Ages 10–13
9:00–10:30 am
Ages 10–13
Weekly programs
In this four-session workshop, we’ll do a combo of writing prompts, writing and drawing games, and independent writing time. Students can write in any genre. Everyone will get individualized instructor feedback.
July 1–July 22
Wednesdays 4:00–5:30 pm
Ages 7–13
Wednesdays 4:00–5:30 pm
Ages 7–13
In this six-week workshop, we’ll use writing and drawing games to access the strange and wonderful and physics-defying ideas floating around in our minds. Then we’ll turn them into poems! We’ll do some group game-playing and independent poem-making at each class. Taught by visiting instructor Evan Delano!
July 13–August 17
Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 pm
Ages 10–14
Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 pm
Ages 10–14
In this six-week workshop, we’ll try to figure out what stories are and how they work. We will explore the many forms a story can take: flash fiction, comics, songs, and lots more, and try our hands at them. Students will also get plenty of independent writing time to work on long-term (or short-term) projects. Everyone will have the chance to receive instructor and peer feedback.
July 9–August 13
Thursdays 4:30–6:00 pm
Ages 10–14
Thursdays 4:30–6:00 pm
Ages 10–14
After-school Workshops
April–June 2026
Accepting late sign-ups!
Ages 7–13
Tuesdays 4:00–5:30 pm
April 28–June 9
Ages 7–10
Wednesdays 3:30–4:45 pm
April 29–June 10
Ages 10–13
Thursdays 4:15–5:30 pm
April 30–June 11
Ages 13–18
Wednesdays 5:15–6:30 pm
April 29–June 10
Ages 7–13
Tuesdays 4:00–5:30 pm
April 28–June 9
Ages 7–10
Wednesdays 3:30–4:45 pm
April 29–June 10
Ages 10–13
Thursdays 4:15–5:30 pm
April 30–June 11
Ages 13–18
Wednesdays 5:15–6:30 pm
April 29–June 10
About the instructor
(they/them)
Somehow School founder
Nora Claire Miller is a writer and educator with more than a decade of experience teaching creative writing to kids and teens.
Nora’s debut book Groceries was named one of the New York Public Library’s best books of 2025. Their poetry and nonfiction has recently appeared in The Paris Review and Hyperallergic. They hold an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and a BA from Hampshire College.
Nora has taught after-school poetry classes in Pittsfield public schools through The Mastheads, led youth programs and camps with the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, the Iowa Youth Writing Project, the Junior High Writing Conference, and the Grant Wood Arts Colony Summer Camp. They have adjudicated submissions for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and served as an admissions reader for the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio. They have also privately tutored high school students in creative writing and college-application essays.
Nora lives in Western Massachusetts with their partner Kelly Clare and their cat Ramona. When they’re not teaching or writing, Nora can usually be found gardening or taking apart an old computer.
Accessibility
Our entrance is on the ground floor, but there is a short step leading to the front entrance. There is also a short step leading to the restroom.
To protect against COVID-19, the flu, and other airborne illnesses, the space is equipped with a high-quality air purifier that provides continuous HEPA filtration.
Students are not required to wear masks in workshops. Nora, our main instructor, s a mask while teaching. The space is cleaned between classes.