(W)rites of Passage Policies:

DEPOSITS & REFUNDS: To guarantee a seat in any upcoming workshop you should register via email to reserve a spot as far ahead of time as possible; typically you will be asked to pay the full amount by whatever date is three weeks before the start of the series (but prompt payments are appreciated as they mean less work on our end when we'd rather concentrate on teaching). If you need to work out a payment plan, please let us know. Sometimes deposits are required. While these deposits are non-refundable (unless notice is given before the three-week prior deadline), arrangements can be made on a case-to-case basis. For example, we might decide to carry some of the amount over to be used for or toward a future workshop (within reason, and to be determined by the circumstances). Please do keep the following information in mind: (W)rites of Passage is unique in the fact it offers scholarships and/or a sliding scale pay system to those in need. While these scholarships and sliding scale slots are limited to one or two seats per workshop series, there are always one or two awarded. As a result, there is not as much financial wiggle room for any potential loss. The workshops tend to fill fast as regulars keep returning, but also because class sizes are kept as small and intimate as possible (especially the actual workshops). Once a series has started (or is about to begin), it is more difficult to fill seats that suddenly become open. If you do need to miss a class, or an entire workshop series, you might choose to look at your "lost" deposit as not lost, but as a donation toward this scholarship fund. If you'd like to donate to the scholarship fund, (W)rites of Passage, and the recipients would be much obliged. You can send your contribution via Venmo using Sarah-Schantz-6 or Cash App using Storymama or Pay Pal using anangka3@aol.com. 

We encourage you to communicate with us about your situation. We might be inclined to refund your deposit if you can help us find a suitable writer to fill your seat. If you are one of the participating writers who has been awarded a scholarship or a sliding scale payment, and you anticipate missing a Saturday or more, please let us know as soon as possible. 

If you are no longer able to attend a workshop series which has already begun, and you've paid for in full, we will not be able to offer you a refund of any kind as it will be too difficult to fill your seat at this point. Depending on the situation, we might be able to offer you a critique or workshop space in a future series or other classes/services available.

For one-on-one lessons with either Sarah Elizabeth Schantz or Toni Oswald please understand the energy we put into preparation and/or feedback as well as the time we have set aside just for you; we require a 24-hour cancellation policy (with the exception of extenuating circumstances); if you didn't pay in advance for the session in question, we will send you the appropriate invoice and expect payment within 48 business hours.

If you are uncertain that (W)rites of Passage is for you, we encourage you to read all the information on the website, and to email the facilitators with any questions or concerns. We might be able to arrange for you to come and observe a class to see to see. Sarah Elizabeth Schantz will provide a sample taste of her editing skills for those interested in hiring her for a manuscript critique.

LIBERATED SPACE & CONDUCT: (W)rites of Passage is a liberated space for writers to come and practice the craft of writing. We welcome diversity as much as we embrace it. Liberated space means we all respect each other as fellow human beings. We might not always agree with each other, but we would never cause another person deliberate harm or distress. The facilitator reserves the right to ask anyone to leave the workshop space if she feels that participant is disruptive or disrespectful. If you are participating in a (W)rites of Passage workshop, and feel unsafe for whatever reason, please contact the facilitator right away to let her know. (W)rites of Passage is a private workshop space committed to antiracist, intersectional feminist practices; we believe all voices matter in literature (and art), but we also aim to place emphasis on the voices of the marginalized so they may be amplified (this absolutely includes raising the voices of the next generation and we have little patience for ageism toward our elders or our babies). We understand that we live in a world where white men are on top, especially straight rich white men, and as a result of colonization and the patriarchy, the racist/sexist/classist/homophobic/transphobic/ableist dumpster fire of a culture that we currently live in, has damaged us all (including those on top). We make mistakes, and the best we can do when that happens is to learn to do better. While we respect the need for trigger warnings, we also recognize the complexity of trauma, and the fact no one can ever anticipate what might trigger someone else therefore we do not require them; furthermore, art is a reflection of the human condition and that human condition is as flawed as it is perfect. As teachers we are mandatory reporters so please know we must report any evidence of abuse or suicidal ideation.

WEATHER & OTHER UNPREDICTABLE CIRCUMSTANCES: (W)rites of Passage follows school closures for the Boulder Valley School District when it comes to in-person workshops and a make-up date will be scheduled (if the date we come up with doesn't work with your schedule, we will offer you a credit toward another workshop to be determined at our discretion). In certain cases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, (W)rites of Passage might switch to Zoom; this is not a guaranteed solution as a lesson plan for in-person can operate differently than an online class and there might not be time for us to prepare accordingly. For Youth (W)rites! students, Toni might be unable to come to you in bad weather even if the schools are still open (she will contact you as soon as she can regarding this matter to make proper arrangements).