Writers' World

Writers' World includes an Exhibit, open during Festival Exhibit hours; a series of Workshops, at scheduled times; and the associated Literary Arts Café.

A juried exhibit of original, previously unpublished adult and student short fiction, essays, and poetry. All accepted entries are available for public reading. Award-winning entries are published in the Writers' World booklet, A Collection of Winning Entries, available for purchase at Writers' World and at the Logo Store.

Marcia Littlehales Doehner was an accomplished poet and an English teacher at Marblehead High School. Her poem, Arachne, won the 1988 Best of Show award in the Writers’ World poetry category. In 1989 and 1990, she served as Co-Chairperson of Writers’ World. The following year, the Marcia Doehner Writing Center at Marblehead High School was dedicated in her honor.

Her poems, many of which were published in Marblehead Magazine, are filled with vivid imagery and revolve around themes of childhood and family, nature, and travel. They reveal a keen understanding of human connections and an ever-present sense of humor. She died in June of 1991 at the age of 53 from cancer. A collection of her poems, A Season for Flying, was published posthumously.

The Marcia Doehner Award was founded by her parents, sister, and friends as a lasting tribute to the beloved teacher and poet. It was given first during the 1992 Festival of Arts and is now awarded annually to a poet as part of the Writers’ World Exhibit.

The Georgette Beck Award may be awarded annually to an artist entered in the Writer’s World Exhibit. Initiated in 2012, this award recognizes the author of a Writer’s World play or prose submission that exhibits the “wit, insight and humanity” personified by the work of writer, playwright, actress and director Georgette Beck of Marblehead. The award is made in conjunction with the Mugford Street Players.

The Café offers a comfortable place where readers and writers may discuss works while enjoying coffee, tea, and light fare. For details, visit the Café.

The 2013 Writers' World Workshop Schedule will be posted here when the information is available. To receive Festival announcements, subscribe to Collage, the Festival's free e-newsletter

If you would like to receive notification by e-mail of Writers' World programs, including upcoming workshops, send your name and e-mail address to Writers' World:

For details,

For information on entering works for Writers' World,