frequently asked questions

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What is Grub Street?

We are the hub of Boston's literary universe, or so The Globe says. We create various ways for aspiring, emerging and established writers to get together, network and learn from each other. We offer writing and reading-focused classes, events and community outreach programs. For more details, see our About Grub Street page.

I can't find "Grub Street" on a Boston map. Am I an idiot?

No and maybe. Grub Street is just our name, not our address. We are located at 162 Boylston Street in downtown Boston on Boston Common.

Where'd you get the name "Grub Street" anyway?

The name is ironic, but rooted in fact. According to Samuel Johnson's Dictionary, Grub Street was "originally the name of a street near Moorfields in London, much inhabited by writers of small histories, dictionaries, and temporary poems." The term came to be associated with "any hack writing, done quickly, for a fee, generally with minimal research." (That's where the irony comes in). Generally, Grub Street was known as the center of literary London in the 19th Century. Our founder, Eve Bridburg, came up with the name after reading the novel New Grub Street by George Gissing, which is highly recommended and available in our library.

Do you do any community outreach?

We have two free programs geared toward specific populations. Our Memoir Project works directly with seniors in both a classroom and one-on-one setting in various neighborhoods throughout Boston. Our YAWP program invites teens to our space one Saturday a month for writing exercises, food and performances. The YAWP program also makes site visits to kids in their schools, community centers and hospitals.

What kind of people hang out at Grub Street?

We've got all kinds. In the same class, you might see a recent college grad, a retired pharmacist, a stay-at-home mom, an over-committed CEO, a Cambridge postal carrier, a florist from South Boston, a filmmaker from Roxbury, a hip accountant or a nerdy bartender. The average age is probably mid-thirties, but often that depends on the type of event or program. You must be at least eighteen to participate in our adult workshops and seminars.

I've written a novel/book of poetry/memoir. Will you publish it?

Sorry, we are not a publisher. However, we do offer access to agents and editors at our annual literary conference, The Muse and the Marketplace

What was it like working with Kelsey Grammar?

We are not Grub Street Productions, which produced Frasier, among other shows.

Your organization looks cool. How do I get involved?

The best way to see if Grub Street is a good match for you is to come to one of our events, seminars, workshops or courses. You may also want to be a volunteer, instructor or donor.

Why do you charge tuition for your classes?

Well, first of all, we have to pay the rent and keep the lights on. Also, we try to pay our instructors (who are all working writers) a decent stipend so that they, too, can pay their rent. We also feel that students who make a financial investment in their craft are more serious, absent less frequently, more demanding of themselves and more accountable to their classmates. Our programs are MFA-quality but FAR less expensive than comparable university continuing education programs. Also: though we have raised teacher salaries and increased our offerings every single year, we have not increased tuition on our multi-week workshops since 1999.

Fine, I get it. Maybe you should offer a few scholarships, though?

We already do. If you are finding it difficult to make ends meet, please read about how to apply for our scholarships. We offer $200 scholarships to at least 5 writers per term.

Do I have to be a member to take your classes or come to events?

No, but members get discounts on everything that we offer. Plus, your membership fee supports our general operations and community outreach. (Little-known fact: flashing your snazzy member card makes you instantly more attractive and likeable).

OK, so how do I become a member?

Our member page gives you a few different options and explains all the benefits.

I can't decide which workshop to take. Can someone help me?

Of course. Our friendly and knowledgeable office staff is happy to give you more context for any of the programs and instructors in which you are interested. Call us at 617.695.0075, but first take a few minutes to read instructor bios and course descriptions.

What is your philosophy about writing workshops?

We believe workshops should be rigorous but supportive. You have paid good money to get honest and constructive feedback—not to be coddled and not to be humiliated. Every instructor will have his/her own subjective opinion about what is working and not working in your story, poem, essay or screenplay; s/he will give you insightful written feedback and facilitate a constructive discussion of your work. Though writing and workshopping are often cathartic, Grub Street workshops should not be considered "art therapy." By hearing classmates and your instructor discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your work, you will develop what every serious writer needs: a thicker skin.

When does the next term begin? When do you post the schedules for the upcoming term?

We offer four terms a year: Winter (Jan-Mar), Spring (Apr-June), Summer (July-Sep), and Fall (Oct-Nov). We try to post the schedules on our website a month before the term begins. If you subscribe to our weekly email, The Rag, you get first notice.

Do you offer the same courses each term, or do they rotate?

A little of both. There are many core courses (like Fiction and Memoir I & II, Master Novel, Jumpstart Your Writing, Screenwriting, "10 Weeks, 10 Stories" and "10 Weeks, 10 Poems") that we offer every term. Other "speciality" courses, like The Structure of Short Fiction, Writing Boot Camp and Narrative That Works are only offered once or twice a year. We try to let you know when a class is "one-time only."

Can I come to the first class and see if I like it before signing up?

Unfortunately, no. Our class size is so small that it would be too logistically difficult to accommodate such visits.

OK, well, what is your refund policy?

Please see the our refund policy page page.

I just want one-on-one feedback on my fiction, poetry or non-fiction. What can Grub do for me?

Check out our consulting program. We will pair you with an experienced and thoughtful reader who will give your work the critical attention it deserves. Just send us a short description of your project and tell us what kind of feedback you're looking for.

Can I just come and hang out at Grub Street during the day?

Depends. One of the benefits of membership is that you have access to our funky downtown space, which is spacious, quiet, convenient to public transportation, and offers free wireless, free coffee (sometimes), comfortable couches, and library borrowing privileges. Office hours are 10 AM – 6 PM Monday thru Friday, but call ahead first to make sure someone's here to buzz you in.

Do you have any good advice for parking near Grub Street?

Be patient. There are plenty of meters around, but they often take a lot of driving around to find at the right time. If you don't have the stomach for this, there's always the Boston Common Garage directly across the street from us, which charges "only" $11 for the evening if you arrive after 4 PM and leave before 10 AM. If you're a Grub Street member, you can also buy parking vouchers from Grub Street that will get you 50% off parking at the Boston Common Garage if you arrive after 4pm and leave before 10. Click here to purchase passes now.