PITTSBORO - Aspiring writers have a way to hone their skills by earning a Certificate in Creative Writing through Central Carolina Community College.

The certificate program, offered at the college's Chatham County Campus, in Pittsboro, provides an innovative educational opportunity for adult students who seek encouragement and growth as writers within an active writing community.

"We are so fortunate to administer the only creative writing program headquartered in a community college continuing education setting," said Kristy Baggett, Director, Personal Enrichment and YES Summer Camps Program, who noted that the Creative Writing program brings expertise and personal life experiences to the classroom. "Our well-known published authors provide wonderful learning opportunities for the beginner to the advanced learner."

The Creative Writing program draws together a diverse group of faculty with a rich diversity of course offerings, including weekly classes and day-long workshops on poetry, short stories, flash fiction, memoir, and novel writing. The Creative Writing instructors are published writers who are dedicated to their craft.

Faculty member and master poet Ralph Earle earned first place in the 2015 Sable Books poetry chapbook competition for his collection "The Way the Rain Works." Judge Richard Krawiec said: "This is a deeply felt book about a family in crisis that lives inside you and lends itself to multiple readings. Sad, but not without its small, yet sustaining, redemptions."

Another popular faculty member, Ruth Moose, was the 2013 winner of the Malice Domestic Competition for Best First Traditional Mystery Novel, "Doing it at the Dixie Dew." Publishers Weekly noted: "Little old ladies in gloves and hats, financial shenanigans, a large rabbit, and the fishbowl life of a small town add to the fun."

Judith Stanton, who teaches romance novel writing, is author of four historical novels and a finalist for RITA (the highest award of distinction in romance fiction).

Students in the CWP have also recently earned publication.

• Michele Berger's prose was included in a book published in April by Chronicle Books called "A Letter to My Mom." Her work appears along with letters from Suze Orman, Dr. Phil McGraw, Melissa Rivers, Mariel Hemingway, and Lisa Ling, to name just a few.
• Patty Cole's first poetry collection, "A Way I Sing," was published by Main Street Rag in September. Says poet Alice Osborn: "Cole is a master at using one-word images to streamline complicated emotions."
• David Ostrovsky published a book of poems, "The Firebird's Kiss," paired with his mother's (Alla Ostrovsky) paintings.
• Ashley Memory's flash fiction story, "All-Inclusive Vacation for Pessimists," was published in Issue 7 (September 2015) of Brilliant Flash Fiction.

For more information about the CCCC Creative Writing program, contact Maggie Zwilling, CCCC Community Service Coordinator, at 919-545-8048 or mzwilling@cccc.edu.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College, visit www.cccc.edu.