Workshops should be a safe and supportive environment where writers can freely share their ideas, explore their creativity, and grow without fear of exploitation or harm. As someone who has facilitated developmental workshops for aspiring authors, I have learned through experience how critical it is to maintain this trust. Unfortunately, not all experiences uphold this standard, and it is essential to address these lapses to ensure a better future for writers.
In this post, I want to discuss the importance of workshop safety, using hard-earned lessons from my own experiences to highlight the need for trust and respect. Most importantly, I want to make it clear that I was not associated with certain actions that violated these principles and that I am committed to creating a secure environment for writers in all future workshops.
Trust Broken: Examples of Unsafe Workshop Practices
Over the course of several workshops I co-facilitated, three incidents stand out as breaches of trust and respect, underscoring the need for more stringent protections for writers:
Ethnic History Mansplained: A minority author, participating in a workshop I was no longer involved in, endured an experience where her ethnic history was mansplained to her by white male participants. The host failed to moderate this discussion effectively, leaving the writer in a hostile and invalidating environment. Workshops should be spaces for inclusivity and understanding, not for imposing or diminishing someone’s lived experiences.
Cultural Appropriation Miscommunication: Another incident involved an Indigenous writer exploring spiritual themes in her work. I approached her with questions about her ethnicity to ensure the story was developed respectfully and without cultural appropriation. Unfortunately, this interaction led to miscommunication, and she became defensive, ultimately withdrawing from the workshops. Later, the host began spreading false narratives that I had rejected her story due to "offensive" content. This was categorically untrue. The writer and I were aligned on this point, but she did not come to the workshop expecting to be caught up in unnecessary drama.
Intellectual Property Infringement: The most egregious case involved a brand-new writer who had participated in several workshops before stepping away for personal reasons. Despite her clear indication that her draft was not ready for publication, the host included it in a publication without her explicit consent. Although I had warned him against using the draft and had records proving my objections, he proceeded anyway. This violation of trust left the writer feeling demoralized, to the point where she doubted whether she would continue writing. Thankfully, experienced writers have rallied around her, offering support and encouragement to help her regain confidence.
This incident not only highlights the importance of obtaining explicit consent but also serves as a reminder of the lasting harm such actions can inflict on early-stage writers. No one should have their creative work published without their permission.
Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
These incidents have profoundly shaped my approach to workshops and my understanding of what it takes to create a safe environment for writers. Moving forward, I am committed to implementing the following principles in any workshops I organize:
Clear Boundaries and Communication: Writers must be explicitly informed about how their work will be used. No story or draft should ever be published without written consent.
Inclusive and Respectful Spaces: Workshops must foster respect for all participants, their identities, and their stories. Moderators must actively address and prevent hostile or invalidating interactions.
Accountability for Organizers: Organizers bear the responsibility of safeguarding writers and their work. Breaches of trust, such as IP infringement or unmoderated hostility, should have clear consequences.
Protecting Writer Confidence: Especially for new writers, workshops should be spaces that empower and build confidence, not ones that discourage or derail their creative journey.
Clarifying My Role and Commitment
It is crucial to address the misunderstanding that I was associated with the publication in question that violated a writer’s intellectual property. I had no part in the publication process and was not involved in the decision to include her draft. I have records showing that I explicitly instructed the host not to include her story, as it was not ready and lacked her consent..
The writer has since allowed me to speak about this matter to make my position clear. I was not part of the infringement, and I am not included in her complaint. Instead, my focus is to ensure that such a violation never occurs again in any workshop I facilitate. The individual responsible for these actions will not be permitted to participate in any future workshops I organize.
Rebuilding Trust for the Future
Writers deserve to feel safe and supported in workshops, knowing their work will be treated with respect and care. These experiences have strengthened my resolve to prioritize trust, respect, and clear communication in every aspect of workshop planning and execution. By learning from these mistakes, I am determined to create a space where writers can grow and thrive without fear of exploitation or harm.
To every writer who has trusted me with their stories, thank you. I remain committed to honoring that trust and to advocating for a writing community where safety and respect are paramount.
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