Testimonials
"Thank you for facilitating one of the most rewarding workshops I've participated in. Obviously, the group dynamic plays a part in how a workshop functions, and this particular group interacted very well together, I thought. But a lot of the credit goes to the facilitator who is able to focus the attention of the group and to steer the discussion in useful directions. Thanks for a wonderful job."
--Gary Schanbacher, short story workshop, author of Migration Patterns (Fulcrum 2007)
"I’ve participated in workshops in New York, Denver, and at national conferences and have yet to experience the level of quality, craft, and collaboration routinely offered by Lighthouse Writers Workshops right here in Denver. I find my fellow Intermediate Fiction Workshop participants to be challenging, invigorating, and supportive, while Andrea Dupree’s keen eye toward craft issues and participatory style of facilitation makes for an enjoyable and productive experience. Alexandre Philippe’s One-Day Intensives are just that--several hours of structured dialog, instruction, and examples of craft issues, a must for anyone serious about breaking through to a new level. If you’ve been searching for a place where the only agenda is supporting your work while raising the bar for the Denver writing community, you’ve found it at Lighthouse Writers Workshops."
--John Coyle
"Thanks to Lighthouse, aspiring writers have a safe yet daring place to explore our art, and our hearts, minds, and souls. Being part of the workshops is for me like coming up for air after staying under water just a little too long. Thank you for your work and for all the energy and love you put into it."
--Dee Casalaina, poetry workshop
"I took the "Storytelling for Writers" taught by Alexandre Philippe. His class about took off the top of my head. The class introduced me to ideas about structure that I've long looked for, and Alexandre provided concrete examples that helped translate theory to reality. (I loved the way that film was used as illustrate ideas and traits.) In short, this is the best money I've spent in a long time. I left the class with a lot to process and even more to read but, more important, the courage to begin to try and put pen to paper in the pursuit of my own fiction."
--Robin Vidimos, book reviewer, The Denver Post
"Lighthouse, you are wonderful. I continue to be amazed and thrilled by all I gain from the classes I've been in and the people I've met. I can't help but compare. I attended a few panels this afternoon and the authors who spoke weren't nearly as insightful or inspirational as those connected to Lighthouse. I'm so so so glad you're in my life! Thanks!"
--Jean Cooper Carey, novelist
"Thanks for the novel writing workshop. I really learned a lot about my writing and what I can do to improve some aspects of it. I now have 180+ pages and am 30 to 40 pages from finishing. I only had 40 pages written when I started the group, and I definitely wouldn't be this close to finishing without the feedback/critiques/encouragement of the group. You did a great job leading the group in a professional manner, giving great insights and encouragement."
--C. L., novelist
"The assignments were as valuable as the class itself. I appreciated having the chance to be critiqued. It's great that the class is small [10 members] and you can get this kind of individual attention."
--Kathy Hayes, essayist
"Your workshops have a classy feel to them. Handouts are beautifully presented--always with your logo. I keep many of them for reference material. Your location is inviting, clean, and makes a great gathering place. I like the extra effort you always put forth--the coffee and cookies, and in your one-day seminars, the nice lunches. You always exude a feeling of abundance and hospitality (versus cheap & soulless--which, believe me, I've sensed from other workshop leaders!)."
--Anonymous workshop evaluation
"I thought the exercises were perfect in terms of substance and time allotment. They are techniques I plan to use again. Loved the workshop...left feeling inspired. Thanks so much."
--Sharon Taylor, one-day workshop participant
Lighthouse Retreats
"The Grand Lake Retreat was wonderful. I came home so inspired that I wrote for 3 1/2 hours before I even unpacked my suitcase. (I killed the villain instead of sending him to jail). Every workshop I attended was powerful. The readings both nights were so memorable--each of them reflected the personality and creativity of the reader. It can't get any better than that. I thoroughly enjoy writers because they are in touch with the world in a sensitive way. Wherever writers were visiting--meals, class, living room--I could feel the vibration of creative energy."
--J.C., novelist
"I enjoyed participating in everything-the stimulating exercises and the standards for excellent writing. I got to experience all the instructors, which I eagerly anticipated. I left feeling happy, in every way. My writing life was thoroughly nurtured."
--Cheryl Charis-Graves, memoirist
"I thought the whole week was very well planned and the workshops were excellent. I especially enjoyed Nature Writing, Metaphor, and the Short-Short Story."
--Ginny Hoyle, poet
Our Community Events
"I attended the open reading at Stella's Sunday, and had a wonderful time. I'm a performance poet and a community college creative writing teacher (among other things)--and have been to many of the venues around town, even convened one of my own for 4 years until recently out here in Aurora--but I think the quality of writing at Stella's is the highest I've heard anywhere. And the respectful attention was remarkable, too."
--Wayne Gilbert, college creative writing instructor
"Thank you so much for giving the writing program at Smoky Hill Public Library. It was nice to be able to offer our patrons such a high quality program. We had many positive comments. You are an asset to the community."
--Janet Haffey, program chair, Arapahoe Library District
"[Alexandre Philippe and Michael Henry's] presentation at the Tattered Cover on Saturday impressed and inspired me. In fact, I have been going over some of my memoir pieces to see if I have created images. Thank you for doing the workshop. I will be taking valuable information from it to my small writing group."
--B.W., memoirist
One-On-One Services
"Your [editing] work is good quality. I've employed a number of editors, and I believe that the challenge is tough. Most people aren't up to it. They miss colossal lapses like boring repetition and contradictions, to say nothing of poor structure, misspellings and unintended ambiguity."
--P.H., Novelist
"Thanks for the terrific feedback. It was clearly communicated and encouraging. I appreciated both your positive tone and all the specific comments. I think I will be busy for some time to come, but I feel reinvigorated and I have a lot of avenues to explore. That's what I wanted! I do appreciate your time and care, your expertise, and your poet's eye/ear."
--C.R., Poet