Voices in Bloom: Writers Brunch & Workshop at DAWA Ignites Creative Fire in Austin
On Saturday afternoon in East Austin, writers from across the city gathered at DAWA HQ for a soulful and nourishing experience of words, connection, and creative fire. Hosted by the 724 Press Collective, the Writers Brunch & Workshop brought together emerging voices, seasoned storytellers, poets, and literary dreamers for an event that was equal parts workshop, community circle, and artistic revival.
The space at DAWA — tucked inside the creative heart of Springdale Road — buzzed with curiosity and quiet excitement as guests arrived just before noon, greeted with warm light, fresh pastries, and thoughtfully curated writing kits. The day, organized around the tension between form and freedom, voice and vulnerability, moved like a well-crafted poem: inviting, surprising, and ultimately transformative.
📖 Highlights:
30+ writers in attendance
6 unique writing and poetry prompts
3 mini-workshops
1 generous and joyful panel
Dozens of new drafts, creative sparks, and unexpected friendships
🌕 A Soft Beginning: Moon Poems & Creative Pairing
After a gentle welcome from event hosts A. A. Britto and L. M. Gomez, the room was grounded by a live reading of “New Moon / Full Mind,” setting the tone for the day: creative, curious, and rooted in feeling. The opening mixer moved quickly into the first writing warm-up, “The Writer’s Compass”, where attendees paired up and explored the guiding forces behind their own writing — internal voices, favorite genres, and the genres they fear most.
Participants laughed, reflected, and wrote collaboratively in response to prompts that challenged them to blend styles and perspectives: rom-com horror stories, sci-fi memoirs, and inner voice dialogues were just the start.
🧠 Craft Meets Community: Writing Workshops
The afternoon’s first mini-workshop, “The First Line is the Hook,” taught by the 724 Press Collective, gave attendees a crash course in how to write compelling story openings. Participants learned how to inject tension, voice, and emotional urgency into their first paragraphs — then put those lessons to the test with story prompts like:
“You find a childhood journal, but don’t remember writing it.”
“Time freezes for everyone but you for seven minutes a day.”
Later, poet and educator L. M. Gomez led the “Poetry Structure, Form & More” workshop — a deep dive into the emotional architecture of poems. Attendees explored metaphor, sensory grounding, and fragmentation as a form of emotional honesty. The prompts pushed writers to experiment with sound, texture, and voice, including a standout: “The moon writes a final letter to Earth — surprise us with tone.”
🎤 From Page to Publication: Panel of Writers in Conversation
The final session featured a vibrant industry panel moderated by 724 Press Collective, with guest authors John Clark, Rosanna Turner, and Caitlyn Moorhead of The Sneaky Ottoman Review. The conversation ranged from personal resilience and emotional revision to publishing pathways and sustaining long-term creativity.
John Clark, fresh from a second Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, spoke about how walking, grief, and his journalistic roots shaped his storytelling.
Rosanna Turner, author and stand-up comedian, brought humor and vulnerability as she described how performance sharpens her fiction.
Caitlyn Moorhead, founder of The Sneaky Ottoman Review, shared insights on balancing personal creation with collective publishing.
Panelists didn’t shy away from hard truths — about burnout, rejection, and perfectionism — but the conversation remained grounded in generosity and wisdom. Writers asked heartfelt questions about feedback, finding community, and building sustainable practices.
🌱 Endings That Feel Like Beginnings
The day closed with a reflective circle and intention-setting ritual. Each attendee received instructions for their free post-event manuscript consultation — a generous offering that underlines 724 Press’s commitment to supporting writers beyond a single afternoon.
The Writers Brunch & Workshop wasn’t just about producing pages. It was about reclaiming the writing voice, reconnecting with community, and remembering that creative fire doesn’t have to burn alone.
“Writers write,” John Clark reminded the room during the panel, echoing the wisdom of a fellow friend. “So that’s what we do. That’s what we did today.”
✨ Hosted by:
724 Press Collective – A. A. Britto & L. M. Gomez
Location: DAWA HQ, Austin, TX
Want to be the first to hear about the next Writers Brunch or submit to 724 Press?
📬 Email: 724presscollective@gmail.com
📚 Follow: @724presscollective
