Writing in Color is a community built by and for BIPOC+ writers in Colorado and beyond. We're all about forging genuine connections while sharing our creative journey with a community of writers who just get it. Writing in Color's mission is to paint a more authentic, inclusive, and vibrant literary landscape—one that honors the unique stories and perspectives of BIPOC+ writers.
Through our monthly Meetups and annual Writing in Color Fest, we aim to deepen connections between BIPOC+ writers in the Lighthouse community while supporting the growth of their writing skills and experience, leaving them excited to continue on their creative journeys.
*BIPOC+ includes but is not limited to: African, Indigenous, Native, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Arab and Multiracial heritage.
Writing in Color Fest
Join us for a festival specifically designed to welcome, celebrate, and amplify voices of writers of color. Whether working on a novel, memoir, short fiction, poetry, or hybrid/interdisciplinary forms, our experienced faculty and guest instructors will work closely with you to support your writing process. The workshops focus on the creation of new works, connecting writers and their work to larger audiences, and amplifying narratives of historically marginalized voices to build more equitable, just, and sustainable communities. The Writing in Color Fest also features free, community building, evening events which any BIPOC+ creatives are welcome to attend even if not attending classes during the festival. Writers identifying as people of color are eligible for Writing in Color Fest offerings.
The 2023 Writing in Color Fest was held on August 17-20 in person—with some virtual offerings—at Lighthouse's new permanent home in Denver. Keep an eye out for when we announce the 2024 dates!
Monthly Meetups
Lighthouse hosts monthly meetups to provide a forum for writers of color to share the stories of their writing, including lessons learned, workshops, panel discussions, and their relationships with their writing and the writing world. Writing in Color sessions currently take place on Zoom and in person.
Fellowship
Offered annually to a person who demonstrates a passion and skill for writing, a commitment to developing their writing skills, and a clear commitment to community service, the Writing In Color Fellowship for Emerging Writers is for anyone who would benefit from a year's worth of involvement at Lighthouse but who would not be able to do so without financial support. Any adult (over the age of 18), writing in any genre, who has not published a full-length manuscript is eligible to apply.
In order to support the skills and creative passion of emerging writers in the Lighthouse community, this fellowship is intended for emerging writers of color who have not had significant access to or experience with traditional opportunities to learn and grow in the literary world.
The application for 2024 has closed. All applicants will be notified about the status of their application in early April 2024.
Previous Fellows
We launched the Writing in Color Fellowship for Emerging Writers in 2019. Read about the recipients here.