Dare Arts Opens Registration for Veterans Writing Workshop

The 14th Annual Outer Banks Veterans Writing Workshop will be held at the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU Outer Banks Campus in Wanchese from 9:30am to 3:30pm on Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15. 

Educator, editor, and Veteran Dario DiBattista will facilitate this year’s free workshop, which will focus on the hallmarks of creative writing. 

DiBattista, an instructor with the Veterans Writing Project, is the editor of the anthology Retire the Colors: Veterans & Civilians on Iraq & Afghanistan (Hudson Whitman / Excelsior College Press, 2016). His work has appeared in theWashingtonian, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Baltimore Sun, Connecticut Review, [Pank], Mic.com, and many other publications. Additionally, he's been profiled in The New York Times and has been a commentator on NPR, SiriusXM, and for the BBC. DiBattista served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 2001 to 2007, and later became a distinguished graduate of the Johns Hopkins University M.A. Writing Program. 

“I’m very excited to participate in this important collaboration again,” said DiBattista. “Especially within the backdrop of current events and 25 years after the start of the Global War on Terror and 5 years after its “end,” the stories of Veterans and their families, and their unique insights on any narratives of any type, are more important than ever. I’m looking forward to bringing a community of writers together to learn more about the hallmarks of the craft while exploring the elements of workshopping.”

Beginner and experienced writers are invited to participate in this two-day workshop, which is free for Veterans, active-duty military, and their extended family members.

Registration for the writing workshop is now open at DareArts.org/veterans. Pre-registration is required. Attendees will receive a confirmation email with more details after registration. The workshop will accommodate up to 25 participants. 

At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to celebrate their efforts and read their improved creative works in front of friends, family, and community members. 

“Dare Arts is honored to support this impactful program once again in 2026,” said Dare Arts Program Director Meredith Timberlake. “We recognize its immense value, with humanity existing at its core. Storytelling can be healing and powerful for not only those reading and listening but particularly so for those putting to paper real life stories where history becomes personal. We are humbled to help make this experience accessible and meaningful to all who participate.”

The Outer Banks Veterans Writing Workshop is part of Outer Banks Veterans Week, which runs from November 9-15, 2026. 

Dare Arts will be creating the Outer Banks Veterans Week Directory, a calendar of Veteran celebrations, events, and special offers from Duck to Hatteras Village happening around Veterans Day.

Groups and/or businesses interested in listing their Veteran events and/or specials in the directory should email Dare Arts Program Director Meredith Timberlake at DareArtsPrograms@gmail.com.

Thank you to the Coastal Studies Institute and Dawn and David Enochs for sponsoring the Outer Banks Veterans Writing Workshop.

This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.

This project is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. 

Businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring Outer Banks Veterans Week should contact Dare Arts Executive Director Jessica Sands at DareArtsInfo@gmail.com. 

For more information about Outer Banks Veterans Week, visit DareArts.org/veterans or call 252 473 5558. 

Dare Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment, and opportunity.

The Veterans Writing Project is a 501(c)(3) that provides no-cost creative writing and songwriting workshops across the country.