CFF Presents: "Sharing Our Writing to Improve Our Craft" on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. ET. All CFF members and friends are invited to register for this online event.
 
Writers work alone, building stories in private. Yet sharing the work is a crucial step in improving our craft. Writing workshops like CFF’s offer a forum to strengthen our works-in-progress and build analytical skills by providing input to others. 

Panelists Marina Budhos, Alexandra Shelley, and Judy Sternlight will talk about what they look for when evaluating a piece of writing, how to judge a story on its own terms, and how to take in constructive feedback without feeling derailed, in a setting that’s based on mutual trust, respect and support. Both first-time and regular CFF workshop participants will find enriching insights.

Panelists

Marina Budhos is the author of several books for adults and young adults. Her newest novel, We Are All We Have, was a Best Kirkus Book. She has also published adult novels and three works of nonfiction. She has received an NEA Literature Fellowship, a Rona Jaffe Award for Women Writers, three Fellowships from the New Jersey Council on the Arts, and has been a Fulbright Scholar to India. A professor emerita at William Paterson University, Budhos frequently gives talks and now works as a writing coach and editor. Her website is www.marinabudhos.com.

Alexandra Shelley has over 30 years of editing experience, including as deputy editorial director at Bridge Works Publishing. Since starting her editorial agency, Illuminated Manuscripts, in 1996, she’s worked with novels, short story collections, memoirs, popular history, biographies, investigative journalism, as well as the occasional epic poem. Alexandra has taught writing at Columbia, Yale, and overseas. She has an MFA from Columbia and is a former Fulbright Scholar and recipient of the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for short fiction. Her website is www.alexandrashelley.com.

Judy Sternlight was an editor at Random House and Modern Library before founding Judy Sternlight Literary Services. She has mentored numerous writers at the Center for Fiction and other NYC arts organizations. She’s worked with many acclaimed authors including Elliot Ackerman, Marie-Helene Bertino, Rita Mae Brown, Mamta Chaudhry, Gwen Florio, Bret Anthony Johnston, Lisa Ko, Peter Matthiessen, Daniel Menaker, Melodie Winawer, and David Wroblewski. Her website is www.JudySternlightLit.com.