What is the role of the writer in an era of increased censorship, where the chilling of speech is a central tactic to suppress dissent, freedom, and social justice?
A staff member from Writers & Books will join us at the library on Tuesday, October 6, at 6:00 PM for Writing the Words They Erased, a generative writing workshop against censorship.
Participants in this workshop will read excerpts on the subject of censorship from one of the 2026 Rochester Reads selections, Omar El Akkad’s One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This.
Also inspired by BELONG, an art installation by Gianna Stewart, this accessible, generative writing workshop invites you to “take back” one or more words on PEN America’s “Banned Word List” and say exactly what it means to you. Whether in poetry or prose, you’ll explore the associations, images, and personal definitions you have for words the powerful want to erase.
This workshop will be led by Tyler Barton and will include short readings of powerful works of literature that reclaim language, as well as prompts to get you thinking and your pen moving.
If you’d like to attend this workshop, please register now through our Event Calendar.
Published on September 30, 2026.
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