Students and locals looking to improve their writing chops may just be in luck.

Starting Oct. 20, RiverRead Books in Downtown Binghamton will be hosting a series of workshops focusing on the various techniques and crafts of writing. This course will be taught by Bob Comenole, a professor/lecturer from Skaneateles who has traveled around the country, speaking at colleges such as SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Cortland and Indiana University.

Comenole, author of ‘Bushel & Lamp’ and the novella ‘The Long Night of Clement C. Craggogre,’ trained at Miami University, where he attained a degree in rhetoric and literature and later taught for two years before deciding to travel. He has just completed a collection of short stories, ‘Perplexed by the Egg & Other Stories,’ and produced the children’s television series ‘StoryBrook.’

Waterline Writing Academy started as an experiment at Comenole’s local bookstore, Creekside Books, in Skaneateles and thrived there for three years. He recently decided to spread this workshop to other bookstores in the area.

This five-week course meets once a week for about an hour and a half a day. The classes that will be offered include: Writing Memoir and Autobiography, Creative Writing 101, Constructing Your Novel, Writing for Children and Young Adults, Power Writing, Preparing Your Writing for Publication and The Hero’s Journey for Storytellers.

Do not be fooled ‘ this is not another two-hour class that you might as well just sign up for next semester. The instructor tries to create a close and fun atmosphere for all participants, regardless of age or amount of writing experience. Students discuss what their general interests are and the courses are chosen and tailored from there.

Comenole said the greatest satisfaction people have gotten out of this course is that they bond very quickly, deeply and authentically. He added that the greatest thing is the satisfaction of being not only a good teacher, but also being able to share stories of the people and their lives.

Past courses have included a wide range of students, from senior citizens to graduate students, coal miners to published authors. There have also been class dinners, class meetings at houses and a website forum for alumni who wish to keep in touch.

This course was created so that people will be able to get a real, interactive lesson in writing that is usually not offered in college classes. Workshops are conducted in the bookstore in an informal, interactive atmosphere.

The fee is $89 for five 90-minute sessions. Between the time bonus, meeting at someone’s house and conferencing, it should be about 15 hours altogether.

Whether you are majoring in bio-engineering or English, everyone is welcome to participate. These classes are designed to help writers find their voice and thrive in their respective writing style.

To sign up, or if you have any questions, you can call RiverRead Books at (607) 217-7292 or send an e-mail to snowcap2@hotmail.com.