Central Pennsylvania Writers' Consortium

CPWC instructors teach a variety of courses, such as:

  • Writing Basics
  • Creating a Character
  • Writing for Children
  • Time Management for Writers
  • Getting Personal: Essays and Journaling
  • Critique Basics
  • The Business of Writing
  • Playing the Publishing Game
  • Writing Plays for the Classroom and the Stage
  • Travel Writing

CPWC was founded by four writers who have collectively published nearly 30 books and 1000 articles. We are parents, educators, consultants and presenters who continue to develop our craft and enjoy helping other writers do the same.

In addition to offering classes and workshops at a variety of venues in the York, Lancaster and Mechanicsburg areas, CPWC also offers a critique service.

For further information about any of our services, please e-mail us at cenpennwrite@yahoo.com.


The Writers Behind CPWC

Judy Wolfman has an impressive publishing record. Since her retirement from teaching in 1993, Judy has written nine children’s non-fiction picture books, five children’s plays, a book of “how and why stories” for Readers’ Theatre, several scripts and over 150 articles, short stories, poems and finger plays. Her work has appeared in a variety of magazines for adults and children, including Turtle, Cricket and Highlights.

Judy is also a professional storyteller and an adjunct professor at York College, McDaniel College and Elizabethtown College. She enjoys conducting workshops and seminars on storytelling, creative writing and the many uses of Reader’s Theatre.

Lori Myers is an award-winning freelance writer with over 500 articles, essays and creative non-fiction pieces published in national magazines, such as AAA World and Writers Journal. Regionally, she is a regular contributor to Central PA Magazine, Susquehanna Style and Central Penn Business Journal. Lori writes on a variety of topics, ranging from arts and entertainment to health, sports and retirement issues, as well as being a writer of short fiction.

Lori is the recipient of the Women in Communications Award and the West Virginia Tourism Media Award for Best Print Article. She has lectured on the topic of creativity at the Pennwriters’ Conference, and has taught writing workshops at Elizabethtown College and York Suburban School District.

Laurie J. Edwards has written over 250 articles in a variety of magazines for children and adults. A former teacher and librarian, Laurie is a regular reviewer for School Library Journal and has served as editor of the library publication News and Reviews. Laurie contributed a chapter on the visual arts to Spotlight on the Artsand is contributor to both the Open Courtreading series and Scholastic.

In addition to her writing and editing talents, Laurie is also an illustrator who has been privileged to train with several renowned picture book authors and illustrators including Robert Quackenbush, E. B. Lewis, Robert Byrd, Neil Waldman and Henry Cole.

Lisa Lawmaster Hess is an elementary school counselor whose books, Acting Assertively and Diverse Divorce, have been inspired by her interactions with her students. Lisa is also the author of numerous articles in educational periodicals such as Momentum and Today’s Catholic Teacher, as well as articles on topics such as wedding planning, writing, decorating and theatre. Lisa’s articles have appeared in regional, national and online publications ranging from Wee Teach to Mature Lifestyles. Lisa has written columns for Apprise and Springetts This Week, contributed a chapter to the Stage Directions Guide to Getting and Keeping Your Audience, taught professional development courses on writing for publication, and has been a presenter for both the Pennsylvania School Counselors’ Association and the Diocese of Orlando.