The Spindle, a retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" from the dark fairy's point of view

Santa Monica Public Library presents a creative writing workshop for young writers ages 10-14 on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 4:00 pm. at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard. Ashley Griffin. Broadway writer and novelist Ashley Griffin will read from her debut novel, The Spindle, a retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" from the dark fairy's point of view, and lead the participants in fun creative writing exercises that spark their imaginations and help them find their own literary voice.

Ashley Griffin is a Santa Monica native, having attended Santa Monica schools and worked at the Santa Monica Public Library as a Library Page, where she first found her love for fairy tales. Her debut novel, The Spindle, is being compared to The NeverEnding Story and the works of George MacDonald.

Ashley is also a Broadway writer/performer, best known as the first person in history to be nominated for a major award for both playing and directing Hamlet. Ashley's work has been produced/developed at New World Stages, Manhattan Theater Club, Playwrights Horizons, A.R.T., La Mama and more.

She received the WellLife Network Award and a county recommendation for her off-Broadway play Trial. She is an Artistic Associate at New York Rep and is slated to bring two of her plays off-Broadway next season. Ashley is the creator of the pop culture phenomenon Twilight: The Musical, which received rave reviews from E!, MTV and others.

As a performer, Ashley has appeared extensively on and off-Broadway as well as in T.V. and film She holds a BFA from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and has trained at RADA, the National Theater, and the Boston Conservatory. She has been nominated for five NYIT Awards including Best Actress, Best Director, and Best New Play.

This program is free and you do not need a Santa Monica Public Library card to participate. For more information, visit the library's website at smpl.org, call us at (310) 458-8600. We look forward to connecting with you.