The Toronto-based non-profit Story Planet has introduced a series of workshops for adults on writing and publishing.

Inspired by 826, Dave Eggers’ writing centre for children,  Story Planet offers free creative writing and art programming to kids and youth from grades 1 to 12. Executive director Liz Haines says that, in part, the adult series will help subsidize programming for needy kids. “As a community, we’re always looking for people who wants to take part in workshops or run workshops or volunteer. Having it both as a fundraiser, but also to open our doors to a larger community on the adult side, is beneficial in all kinds of ways,” she says.

Five instructors have have signed on to lead workshops beginning Oct. 2, including Coach House Books editorial director Alana Wilcox and authors Anthony De Sa, Teresa Toten, Andrew Pyper, and Brian Francis. Workshops will be kept to a maximum of 12 participants per seminar because “we want to make sure that it’s a really meaningful experience,” says Haines. She expects the classes will appeal to beginner writers, or those seeking feedback on their work. Course topics including social media and self-publishing (Francis), publishing (Wilcox), and character development (Toten).

Workshops are priced at $75 or three for $200. However, Haines points out that Story Planet’s “generosity policy” will make workshops available to those without the financial means to pay.

Workshops run into December, but Haines says she hopes to be able to continue to offer adult programming in the future. “I have lots more writers who have shown interest, so if it works well, then we’ll run it again in January with some new people. It’s something that we’d like to make part of what we do on a regular basis.”