The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop has been dubbed the "Woodstock of Humor" and a "utopia" for writers — one "that only appears every other year, out of the mist, on the edge of the Great Miami River in Dayton, Ohio (like Brigadoon)."
The workshop's mission is simple: to encourage and inspire writers in the same way that celebrated columnist and author Erma Bombeck '49 found encouragement and inspiration at the University of Dayton.
Its mantra is timeless: "You can write!"
This collection is an archive of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop blog, which delivers news about the workshop, information for writers, profiles of Humor Writer of the Month honorees, and writing by participants and faculty of the workshop.
View the latest entries on the blog website.
Note: Publication of a piece on the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop blog does not constitute endorsement by the workshop or the University of Dayton. Opinions expressed in the pieces are those of the authors, not the University or the workshop.
Submissions from 2017
Stick to the list, Cindy Argiento
Clutter nonsense, John Branning
Self-Checkout: Another female telling me what to do, Raymond Reid
Laugh-Inn: A Hotel Room of One's Own, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Answer to my dreams, Leslie Handler
Burpees Aren't for Babies, Hillary Ibarra
A Mouseketeer shows up for dinner, Laurie Oien
The woman who made the world laugh, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
My wife, Apple and her virtual dog, Raymond Reid
Benefits of hernia surgery, Susie Richardson
Chloe and Poppie make ice cream, Jerry Zezima
The pedicure is worse than the disease, Jase Graves
Seasonal disorder, Jan Marshall
My top Twitter tip, Cathy Turney
Not a suburban housewife, Jolyn Young
A Shred of Decency, Jordan Fleming
Sideline coaches: nose-picking, plane-watching, dandelion-blowing dreamers, Courtney Kotoski
Rock and romance, Nancy Berk
Moe, Larry and Poppie, Jerry Zezima
Let me play among the stars, Ritch Shydner
How dare you do self-care!, Stephanie Lewis
Funny dog story, Dottie Lopez
I'd like to check you for ticks, Erin Cooper Reed
Stranger of the bride, Sherry Stanfa-Stanley
Blue Ridge blues, Jase Graves
Watching 'Route 66' from NC 66 … so many years ago, Raymond Reid
How to survive marriage (with 140 percent divorce rate), Adelei Graffin
Cereal Days: A tribute to the Golden Age of cereal, Ira Scott Levin and Julia Bordenaro
Or best offer, Elise Seyfried
Fishing around at the farmer's market, Sammy Sportface
The Graduate, Jerry Zezima
Aunt Lulabelle, Steve Eskew
Human Race in Erma's hometown to stage 'At Wit's End' in spring 2018, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
A butterfly's visit, Anne Bardsley
My wife is ok with 'the other woman', Raymond Reid
Glazing out the window, Karen DeBonis
If your life sucks, blame the world, Sammy Sportface
Show them the money, Jerry Zezima
The incredible shrinking columnist, Claudette Sandecki
My near-death encounter with foam packing chips!, Gary Chalk
Talk to yourself It's good for you!, Kaye Curren
Updates on 19 different sports, Sammy Sportface
We blew our dining budget, but this is what we learned, Molly Stevens
Coffee in all its glory, Anne Green
Toto, I have a feeling we're not … never mind., Jase Graves
Love at first listen: I'm crazy about a dog who doesn't exist, Ann Green
The war of pranks, Ira Scott Levin
New relay events for summer Olympics, Sammy Sportface
Oak Brook, Frances Peacock
Boys will be boys, Jerry Zezima
Stupid deer., Karen DeBonis
Nostalgia for Boston accents: Confessions of a language snob, Ann Green
The stars and stripes of my hometown: mango, raspberry and pina colada, Sammy Sportface
What's next? Don't ask, Janine Talbot
There's way too much 'smart' in my life, Tracy Buckner
Avoid embarrassment and hire an editor, Tia Moreen
The clothes whisperer, Jan Marshall
Poppie's back story, Jerry Zezima
The manny, Jerry Zezima
Dorothy's next round (table), Ira Scott Levin
I'm from Jersey, baby., Tracy Buckner
This is not an emergency', Maureen Schlangen
Slumber parties, Jase Graves
Habits for molding yourself into a powerful writer, Brenda Berg
Are You Still Sexually Active?, Karen Galatz
Fancy Underwear and Awkward Moments, Hillary Ibarra
How not to eat an ice cream cone, Jerry Zezima
Sibling folly, Steve Eskew
The year my mother became my Auntie Mame, Ira Scott Levin
What teaching kindergarten taught me, Nancy Malcolm
To-do list for new college graduates, Sammy Sportface
Mom's Day tribute, Myron Kukla
PSAs, pistols and probes, Jerry Tobias
When mommy's gone, Jase Graves
A Midsummer Night's Big Bang Theory, Paul Lander
The tables have turned, Kaye Curren
You can run, but can't hide, from a squeaky wheel, Laurie Oien
Six tips for stagnated writers, Christina Battons
Who's got the soap?, Connie Berry
Brand Name, Aline Weiller
Farewell, Erma!, Donna Gephart
Doc McStuffins and me rocking the St. Pete airport, Anne Bardsley
8 lies I tell myself, Roxanne Jones
Breaking the mice, Jase Graves
The dawning of the Age of Hilarious, Elaine Ambrose
Babysitting the grandkids, Mari' Emeraude
Wizard of Oz utilizes Craigslist, Stephanie Lewis
Clap, clap, clap, Tracy Buckner
Yes, my hands are full, Leah Moore
Be our guest, Sybil Sage
My inner youth has a thrill at the liquor store, Karen DeBonis
Surviving April events — Tax Day and Easter, Myron Kukla
Six essays selected for Age Spots anthology book proposal, Allia Zobel Nolan
A book in hand, Molly D. Campbell
Everyday miracles, Kaye Curren
Slouching towards 60, Donna Fentanes
Expat mistake number 561, Jennifer Dziekan
Girl scout badges for boomers, Roxanne Jones
The kids are all right, Jerry Zezima
It's payback time, dear husband., Karen DeBonis
