Workshops
Upcoming workshops
West Africa Writing Workshops
MAI-Africa is running writing workshops running in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Learn the building blocks of short story fiction writing, write a 1500-word short story and submit it for publication and a contest!
- Ghana with Lawrence Darmani, September 22-24
- Nigeria with Lekan Otufodunrin, October 21-23
- Burkina Faso with Joanna Ilboudo, October 30-November 1
To enquire about joining one of the workshops, contact [email protected].
Online Course in Spanish on Writing and Illustrating Biblical Fiction for Children
Author Keila Ochoa Harris and designer José Carlos Gutiérrez M. with Iván Anaya are facilitating an online course in Spanish on writing and illustrating biblical fiction for children, starting on September 22. There will be a Zoom session every two weeks until December, tasks to complete in between, and individualized feedback given.
- Limited to 25 participants.
- You may take the writing track, the illustration track, or both.
Register and pay by September 18.
Contact [email protected] for more information. Read full details in Spanish.
Recent workshops
Writing and Editing workshop in Singapore
Aug 2025: MAI-Asia partnered with Our Daily Bread (ODB) Ministries Singapore for an interactive workshop with poet, song lyricist and editor Aaron Lee on August 6. Aaron highlighted the special role of editors in relation to writers, introduced the idea of an editor as a music conductor, and unpacked the concept of word-smithing. “I gained theoretical and practical knowledge, such as effective exercises that focus on the sound and rhythm of the sentences,” one participant said.
“I have been a beneficiary of ODB’s special ministry of the written word since I was a teen, so I was thrilled to meet over twenty of ODB’s writers, editors, translators and content producers,” Aaron says. “Everyone brought their own experiences to sharpen one another.”
Give thanks for the work of Our Daily Bread Ministries. Pray for Christian writers and editors in Singapore as they create content to grow and mature the global church.
Online Kids Book Club in Latin America
May-Jun 2025: “It’s encouraging to read stories written by adult participants in workshops—but it’s even more exciting to see little ones writing!” says MAI-América Latina Board member Keila Ochoa Harris, on an online kids book club she ran from May 19-June 20. Thirty-eight people from Mexico and Argentina signed up. Each week during the six-week book club, children would read three stories and participate in a creative challenge—with some writing their own stories.
“The children who read were excited to see their work heard, and the ones who listened to the stories were very supportive and kind,” Keila says. “Kids loved the book club, and they are asking for more books and clubs. We need more publishing houses committed to publishing for children. I think the writers are there, just waiting for an opportunity.”
Pray for more books and book clubs that encourage children to write stories, and for the publication of more kids’ books in Latin America that point readers to Jesus.
Equipping Writers in South Asia
Apr 2025: MAI-Asia organized a Creative Writing Workshop on April 28-30, hosted by Reformed Books House. Volunteer trainer Robinson Gill of the MIK publishing house explored topics such as the uniqueness of Christian writing and the elements of an effective story. Participants reported plans to write books, write stories for children and even form a writers’ group.
“My prayer is that this workshop will just ignite the spark. You will be the ones to keep the fire burning,” Robinson told participants.
Give thanks for a well-received creative writing workshop in south Asia. Pray for excellent stories to be written and read, and Christian writer communities formed.
Partnering on a Writing Workshop in Italy
Apr 2025: MAI-Europe partnered with La Casa della Bibbia to organize a workshop for 24 Christian authors and digital creators on April 12 in Turin, Italy. MAI-Europe Chair Janet Wilson shared words of encouragement. La Casa della Bibbia director Giancarlo Farina and digital strategist Ruben Bianco facilitated the hands-on training in Italian, covering topics on creative writing and writing for online audiences.
“It was heartening to see the writers, from many different backgrounds and churches, come together,” Janet said.
Give thanks for all who came from different backgrounds and churches to learn writing in Italy. May their writing be excellent and impactful for local readers—and beyond.
Fiction Writing Workshop in South Africa
Feb 2025: MAI-Africa communications coordinator Joan Campbell facilitated a Christian fiction writing workshop in Johannesburg in partnership with Kate Walsh, who runs an online ministry that creates spaces for women to explore and grow their creativity. They taught about creating characters readers care about, building a plot outline and bringing setting to life.
“The workshop imparted not only skills, but encouragement and confidence too,” Joan said. “One attendee said the workshop sparked her creativity again.”
Pray for an online ministry in South Africa that creates spaces for women to grow their creativity. May this result in compelling fiction that draws readers to Christ.
A Prayer Book for the Central African Republic
Jan 2025: MAI-Africa trustee Kirimi Barine ran a workshop for over 50 Christian writers in Bangui, Central African Republic. By the end of their time together, most of the book’s prayers had been written. “Seeing Christian writers passionately come together to intercede for their nation through the written word was inspiring,” Kirimi said. “Their commitment to crafting prayers on 14 critical themes gives hope that this book will stir the church to pray fervently for the Central African Republic and inspire even more writing for God’s kingdom.”
Pray for this newly published book to stir the church to pray fervently for the Central African Republic, and inspire even more writing for God’s kingdom.