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 2021
Selling a House in a 'So-Called' Seller’s Market, Keri Kelly
Using Humor to Get Through the Day, Jan `. Marshall
Surreal Santa, Julie Grenness
A Strong Finish, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Humor Writer of the Month: Kristen Mulrooney, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
That's Using Your Shed, Jerry Zezima
Pillow Talk, Jerry Zezima
Finding Comedy in a Hotel Room, Teri Rizvi
Skate Expectations, Jerry Zezima
Who's Publishing What: Mixed Company, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Manscaping Mishaps: Hide Your Razors, Courtney Bennett
Hold the Phone, It's the Cops, Jerry Zezima
Who's Publishing What: Knocked Down, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
My Winter Wonderland, Lucie Frost
The Pajama Game, Jerry Zezima
Humor Writer of the Month: Liz Alterman, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Supporting the Dreams of All Writers, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Channel Your Inner Erma — and Win!, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Fat for Football, Julie Grenness
Zoom-view, Leslie Freiberger
The Cursing Dilemma, Mary Oves
High School Reunion: The Big 5-Oh!, Jerry Zezima
Taking a Stand on Lemonade, Jerry Zezima
Workshop Publishes *The* Definitive, Humorous Guide on Sisterhood, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Write Down Everything!, Mandy Fernandez
Holy Eucharist!, Keri Kelly
Landscaping Without Fear, Kim Hedzik
Life's Secret? Oatmeal, Anne Bardsley
Suit Up!, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Swaddle Me in Terry Cloth, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
A Farewell to Fins, Jerry Zezima
Flu Do Something to You, Steve Eskew
Crazy Cat Lady? That's Me!, Ann Green
Grandma Doesn't Care!, Julie Grenness
Slithy Toves, Dean Norman
Lions and Tigers and Bears! (But Mostly Bears), January Gordon Ornellas
Humor Writer of the Month: Liz Kozak, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Paying It Forward, Teri Rizvi
Weather Stick Rains Supreme, Jerry Zezima
More to Less to More, Jan Marshall
Who's Publishing What: Don't Postpone Joy, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
What Midwest Women Should Know: About Pilates, Jesus and Standing Their Ground Until the Cows Come Home, Rebekah Iliff
Confessions of a Senior Citizen Shot Put Juggler, Garret Matthews
The Story of Jerry Applehead, Jerry Zezima
It All Comes Out in the Wash, Jerry Zezima
Who's Publishing What: One Heart with Courage: Essays and Stories, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
If Not Now, When?, Teri Rizvi
Ceviche?, Mary Oves
Farmer Pepper's Lonely Heartburn Band, Jerry Zezima
Who's Publishing What: My Modena, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Ode to Monarchs, Dean Norman
Humor Writer of the Month: Mathew Klickstein, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Mummy's Love Letter, Julie Grenness
Wheel of Misfortune, Jerry Zezima
You Had Me at Room Service!, Teri Rizvi
Got Five Minutes?, Derek Ries
Who's Publishing What: How to Make Mistakes on Purpose, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Who's Publishing What: So Good to be Bad, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
An Ohio Literary Great, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
The Bricklayer's Apprentice, Jerry Zezima
Ay, Caramba!, Teri Rizvi
My Chair, Lady, Jerry Zezima
Mrs. Toad's Carpool, Leslie Freiberger
Things You Shouldn't Say to a Senior, Mary McGrath
Standing High Jump, a New Olympic Sport, Dean Norman
Oh No, Mr. Bill!, Mary Oves
Julie Vick: Humor Writer of the Month, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
One-Star Swimming, January Gordon Ornellas
May the Pest Man Win, Jerry Zezima
You Did What?, Vicki Austin
Ham and Egos, Steve Eskew
Vanessa's Vacation, Julie Grenness
The Trouble with Tupperware, Curt MacDougall
A Guy Who's Old Goes for the Gold, Jerry Zezima
Who's Publishing What: This Band of Sisterhood, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Who's Publishing What: Babies Don't Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?), Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
In the Pink (and Purple) at the Spa, Jerry Zezima
When the Cat's Away, the Hammock Won't Sway, Jerry Zezima
A Grade C Student Can Succeed, Dean Norman
Commercially Speaking, Jan Marshall
Big Wheel Keep on Playing, Jerry Zezima
Humor Writer of the Month: Julie Schumacher, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
The Shenanigans of Sisters, Laura Spreck Lee
On With the Show, Jerry Zezima
COVID Has Really Helped My Mental Outlook, Mary McGrath
Revenge of the Fallen, Mary Oves
Rolling in Dough, Jerry Zezima
Every Dog Has His Day Off, Meredith Besser
Poppie at the Bat, Jerry Zezima
Who's Publishing What: Centennial Farm Family: Cultivating Land and Community, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Mother-Daughter Chats, Julie Grenness
How High is Your Throne?, Mary Kay Jordan Fleming
The Cult of Poppie, Jerry Zezima
Who's Publishing What: The Witch Demands a Retraction, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Who's Publishing What: Barking at the Moon, Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop
Off with Masks? On with Pants?, Steve Eskew
C is for Cars, Check-Ups and One Capricious Cliché, Keri Kelly
Nice Package, Lady!, Jan Marshall
How to Prepare for a Job Interview, Dean Norman
Thelma and Louise and Louise, January Gordon Ornellas
