Rittenhouse Writers: Reflections on a Fiction Workshop

by James Rahn

"James Rahn, Jersey boy and Philadelphia treasure, has written a moving and insightful book about what happens when you create something vibrant and necessary and stick around for the long haul, whether it's teaching, writing, friendships, or love. The answers aren't always simple, and Rahn explores them with the same gusto, honesty, wry humor, and generosity of spirit he brings to his fiction and his famous workshops. This book is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and mentorship in the making of literature."—Sam Lipsyte

James Rahn has led the Rittenhouse Writers' Group since he founded it in 1988, making it one of America's longest-running independent fiction workshops. Hundreds of writers and would-be writers have sought out the group for its remarkable level of instruction and collaboration. Rittenhouse Writers is Rahn's memoir of the workshop and how his own evolution as both a teacher and a writer—and as a son, husband, and (somewhat reluctant) father—has been intertwined with the establishment and growth of the RWG. In addition, Rahn includes ten short stories written by current and former members of the workshop.

Rahn graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and earned an MFA at Columbia. He then began to imagine a future that included more than just writing, one that would also tap his aspiration to offer other writers support and motivation, tough but gentle—his self-described "Iron Fist in the Velvet Glove" approach. After all, as he says more than once, "Writing is hard."

Over the years, James Rahn has witnessed every imaginable writing-group scenario, from awkward flirtations to suicide scares, catty critiques, near fistfights, and of course the satisfaction of watching someone's writing soar. With insight gained through years of observation and participation, and a discerning eye for amusing detail, he takes us along for the journey. Rahn's struggle to perfect his role as instructor runs throughout the narrative, as does his effort to balance that role with the friendships he forms in the group, and to keep up with his own writing while still giving the group the attention it needs to flourish. Through his eyes, we catch the spark of the workshop's spirit and get to meet various spirits who have invigorated Rittenhouse Writers' Group.

Rahn cuts back and forth, reflecting, not only on the workshop, but also on his days as a high school dropout in Atlantic City, dead-end jobs and hopeless moves, the difficulty of his mother's decline and death, and his own unexpected plunge into parenthood—when, at age 51, he and his wife took on the responsibility of raising her two young nieces.

His memoir serves, in a way, as an introduction to the short stories that follow; and the stories—as surprising and varied as the writers Rahn describes working with—stand as a fitting coda to Rahn's tale and offer another window onto his life's work.

The 10 short stories included in Rittenhouse Writers:

"On Fire" by Gwen Florio
"Mother—6/7 Months" by Romnesh Lamba
"Moon Penitent" by Diane McKinney-Whetstone
"The Last Confession" by Tom Teti
"Ivory Is Wrong About Me" by Caren Litvin
"The Conference Rat" by Samantha Gillison
"Dropping a Line into the Murky Chop" by Saral Waldorf
"What She Missed" by Lisa Paparone
"Kingdom of the Sun" by Alice Schell
"The Letters of Hon. Crawford G. Bolton III" by Daniel R. Biddle

James Rahn has published stories in many literary magazines, taught for fifteen years at the University of Pennsylvania, and has an MFA in Writing from Columbia University. His first novel, Bloodnight, was published in 2012.

255 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2016

Reviews

[Gwen Florio · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than a memoir – an invaluable writing tool.

One of the most difficult things when I move away from Philadelphia 15 years ago was leaving the Rittenhouse Writers Group. So I was thrilled when I heard that James Rahn’s memoir about the group, "Rittenhouse Writers," was in the works.

It charts Rahn’s own progress as an author, as well as that of the group. Rahn’s distinctive voice, wry, unsparing and witty, sounds on each page. He holds himself to the same high standards that he asked of the group. Perhaps most valuable, though, are the sections about writing.

I read this book as I was wrestling with the early, still-formless early chapters of a novel, and as I read "Rittenhouse Writers," with its examples of how group members focused and polished their work, I could hear again Rahn’s guidance from those long-ago workshop days: Get back to the basics of voice, structure, character, etc. Then push it, well past your comfort zone. Always, with the compassionate acknowledgment: “Nothing is harder than writing.” I went back to my mess of a manuscript with renewed confidence.

Anyone who’s ever been in a writing workshop, or who’s contemplating signing up for one—or even someone who’s writing in solitude—can benefit from this book. I’d rank it with my other two favorite books on writing, Anne Lamott’s "Bird by Bird," and Stephen King’s "On Writing."

(I was provided with an advance copy of the book. An early story of mine is included in the book.)

[Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for readers and writers. The author has led a writer’s workshop for thirty years. He writes candidly about his uncertain beginnings as a leader of the workshop and many, many challenges along the way. He writes quite a bit about what he is trying to teach his students and the value of the writer’s group experience. And he speaks about the challenge of finding time for writing in his own life. The ten stories in the book are all amazing and interesting.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a book anyone can enjoy – it’s both fiction and non-fiction, and all the stories real or imagined are quite entertaining. What you will learn about the workshop and the writing process is just a bonus.

I was thoroughly absorbed from the first page to the last. The book is unique not only in its format – part memoir, part anthology – but also in its careful balance between being entertaining, informative and satisfyingly sentimental. The book opens with James Rahn’s memoir which, in addition to being an inside look into the process of writing fiction, is a funny, honest and heartfelt account of the beginnings of the writing workshop he created, how it’s evolved through the years and how James’ family life impacted him throughout the process. Also apparent in this reading is the importance of the workshop to so many writers who needed the structure, guidance and motivation provided by James and the groups of fellow writers he put together. The book concludes with a ten story sampling of the kind of writing that the workshop, Rittenhouse Writers Group has produced. I’ve had the pleasure of participating in the workshop with many of these exceptional writers – those whose stories appear in these pages as well as other just as exceptional writers who have brought their stories and novels to the group for feedback and advice.

I was given the extraordinary honor of having one of my short stories included in this book.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very fortunate to be apart of the Rittenhouse Writers Group in the mid 90's, so it was with great anticipation that I picked up James Rahn's book, which is a genre all its own-part memoir, part writing guide and part anthology. James is a wonderful storyteller- no details go unnoticed. He describes the evolution of the workshop, once a fledgling enterprise, now one of the longest running independent workshops in the country with scores of published writers to its credit. With unsparing, honesty, he tells his personal story and struggles that are the lifeblood and the undercurrent of his passion for the work and the writers. He shares his love of craft, his love of the art of storytelling and he celebrates the fearlessness of his writers. He cares deeply about the work and it comes through in the memoir, and the fact that he included ten of his students stories in this book- as if to always say- this is where the heart is.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being part of several writing workshops, I was intrigued by the title of this book and entered for the ARC giveaway. I was chosen to receive a copy and loved it from page 1. I came from Philadelphia and could identify with a lot of the neighborhood description. It was a delightfully honest portrayal of a man's struggles with being a writer and establishing a reputation for a great writing group.
I very much enjoyed reading samples of the writing produced in the Rittenhouse Writer's group and enjoyed the description of each of the participant's bios. This book was so good, I wished I lived closer so that I could sign up.
I recommend this as great reading for anyone who writes, wants to write or join a writing group.
The descriptions of the participants were entertaining at times and scary at times, totally relate-able from my perspective.

[AT · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for fans of both memoir and fiction, and anyone interested in writing or teaching. Rahn has written a deeply honest and entertaining memoir about the birth of Philadelphia’s longest running fiction workshop, the Rittenhouse Writers Group. Shared within its pages are the lessons and mantras he bestows upon his students, words of wisdom he has gleaned from a lifetime as a writer and over 25 years of experience leading “the workshop.” Also included are ten works of short fiction from current and former members of the group. Buy it and be inspired!

[Nancy Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was of particular interest to me because I live in Philadelphia, have heard about this group for many years, know some of the participants and have read many of the books that have evolved from this group. It didn't disappoint. I enjoyed learning about its beginnings and how it has grown and changed over the years. A good writer's group is invaluable to those who really want to become writers and who already are, but need sounding boards.

[Tasha Lewis]

Enjoyed the storytelling and how he would give little insights to the Writer Group that he created. Enjoyed his insight and what he had to share.

[Esther Bradley-detally]

excellent; identified totally; am a writing teacher; do not have a mfa or whatever he has; but evidently i am well liked; i loved the book