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.
Submissions from 2022
Food for Naught, Jerry Zezima
Seizing Every Single Magical Moment, Sherry Stanfa-Stanley
Mea Culpa, Patricia Wynn Brown
Where Goes Ohio..., Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Erma Bingo, January Gordon Ornellas
To Bee or Not to Bee, Mary Oves
Stand-Up Virgin, Linda B. Parker
An Unforgettable Weekend, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Jumping In With Both Big Feet, Jerry Zezima
What's in My Name?, Jase Graves
Bye Bye Birdie Droppings, Jerry Zezima
You've Come a Long Way, Baby, Beth Broderick
Sisters! Places First in Writer's Digest Competition, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Greet Expectations, Jerry Zezima
And the Stand-Ups Are..., Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
How Do You Like Them Apples?, Jerry Zezima
Rub-a-Dub-Dub, One Kid in the Tub, Jerry Zezima
The Pen is Sillier Than the Sword, Jase Graves
No, Being an Introvert is Not Like Having a Disorder — But it Can be Truly a Pain in The Ass, Renee Lonner
Are the People in Beer Commercials Really Having that Much Fun?, Dean Norman
Kat and Mouse Feminism, Steve Eskew
Humor Writer of the Month: Kit Lively, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Serena & Lily Land, Jennifer Cramer-Miller
Some Like It Hot, January Gordon Ornellas
Dogs Vs. Daughters, Jase Graves
A Bucket Case, Beth Broderick
Warranty Calls Are an Auto Motive, Jerry Zezima
When Lightening Up Isn't Easy, Jan Marshall
How to be an Unsuccessful Novelist in 10 Easy Steps, D. Liebhart
The Best Milestone Anniversary Gift, Ever, for Your Daughter-in-Law, Renee Burns Lonner
The Fab Five, Jerry Zezima
And Why in God's Name Are People Shucking Corn in the Supermarket?, Bob Eckstein
New School Clothes for Dad, Jase Graves
The Carousel Stakes, Jerry Zezima
Laugh. Learn. Be Inspired., Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Humor Writer of the Month: Mary Oves, Mary Oves
New Phone Is a Good Call, Jerry Zezima
The Dish on Dishwashers, Jerry Zezima
And Then There Was One, Jase Graves
Sunflower Daycare, Diane Dean-Epps
Who's Publishing What: The Amazing Baby Name Book, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Writing Your Own Perfect Ending, Teri Rizvi
Who's Publishing What: The Lucky Generation, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Unemployed, Jan Marshall
The Collected Works of the Ice Cream Kid, Dorothy Rosby
Gill We Meet Again, Jerry Zezima
If You Can't Beat the Heat, Join It, Jase Graves
Big Wheels Keep On Running, Jerry Zezima
The Bucks Flow Here, Jerry Zezima
Bragging Rights, Garret Mathews
Who's Publishing What: The Complete Book of Cat Names, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Humor Writer of the Month: Denise Thiery, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Make Sisters Day Every Day, Marcia Stewart
Who's Publishing What: Vacuuming in the Nude and Other Ways to Get Attention, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
The Ice Cream Guy Keeps on Truckin', Jerry Zezima
Who's Publishing What: See You at San Diego, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
My Flawed Flair, Steve Eskew
My Plan To Shoot A Dead Rabbit, Raymond Reid
The Playground Grandpa, Jerry Zezima
Listen Anywhere: One Heart With Courage Available as Audiobook, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
One Heart With Courage Wins Catholic Media Association Award, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
I'm (Not) Sorry: Nuanced Apologies, Renee Burns Lonner
The Day I Took Poison and Mom Saved Me, Dean Norman
My Wife, Apple, and Her Virtual Dog, Raymond Reid
I Need Moe Money, Jerry Zezima
And the Winner Is..., Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Come and Meet My Stumbling Feet, Jerry Zezima
Humor Writer of the Month: Sarah Walt Weaver, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
The Birds and the Bees Are in Reboot, Renee Burns Lonner
Who's Publishing What: Blackout, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Who's Publishing What: The Perfect Neighborhood, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
How Rare: A Three-Page Letter via Snail Mail, Raymond Reid
Who's Publishing What: The Time Traveling Matchmaker, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Ditching the Helicopter, Donna Fentanes
My Imagined Companion, Keri Kelly
Are You Above Average? The Lake Wobegon Effect, Raymond Reid
The Grandpa Grilling Club, Jerry Zezima
Black Bears, Coyotes and My 2 Iron, Raymond Reid
Raised Seal of Approval, Jerry Zezima
American Book Fest Finalists, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Bridge Anyone? Or Chess?, Dean Norman
Calling All Writers, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Humor Writer of the Month: Kim Reynolds, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Get Off My Lawn!, Beth Broderick
Not So Hot, Kristine Hayes
Snoring? Or the Anti-Snore Chin Strap Sleep Belt?, Raymond Reid
When a Door Isn't Just a Door, Michelle Spencer
A Brave Grandfather Branches Out, Jerry Zezima
One of Year's Best Indie Books, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
A Helping Hand, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Dirty Dancing, Kristine Hayes
Music to My Years, Jerry Zezima
Who's Publishing What: Write Without the Fight, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Motherhood Amnesia, Liz Alterman
Who's Publishing What: How to Be Ridiculous: 28 Tips for a Brand-New You!, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Dad, Projector Man, Kristine Hayes
The Grapes of Laughs, Jerry Zezima
Who's Publishing What: I Buried Paul, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Gas Station Goodness, Kristine Hayes
Coming Live to the Erma Stage, Teri Rizvi
