Thinking about enrolling in the Community Literature Initiative (CLI)? Read this first.

I wanted to share my experience so other writers can make an informed decision.

I enrolled in CLI because it was advertised as more than just a workshop. The program promoted opportunities like performance lessons, open mic events, in-person community building, and an author draft where writers could connect with independent presses.

Unfortunately, my experience didn't match those expectations.

My biggest disappointment was the Author Draft. We weren't told which presses would be participating until the day before the event. When the event actually happened, several of the presses that had been presented as participants either weren't there or were not a realistic fit for many of us. As an out-of-state writer, I found that most of the opportunities were geared toward Los Angeles or California-based authors, leaving very few meaningful connections for writers from chapters like Denver.

I was also told I would receive a list of contact information for the participating presses so I could follow up afterward. Despite asking, I never received that information.

Other advertised parts of the experience, like performance instruction, open mic opportunities, and community events, either didn't happen or were much more limited than I expected.

The quality of the instructors wasn't my issue. My concern was the gap between what I believed I was purchasing and what was ultimately delivered.

If you're in Los Angeles, your experience may be very different. But if you're considering joining from another state, I would encourage you to ask questions before paying, such as:

• Which presses will be participating in the Author Draft?
• How many are actively seeking writers from outside California?
• What specific performance training is included?
• How many community events and open mics are guaranteed?
• What networking opportunities are available after the conference?

I'm sharing this because I wish someone had shared this information with me beforehand. Every writer has to decide for themselves whether the program is worth the investment, but I think prospective students deserve as much transparency as possible before enrolling.

Has anyone else had a similar or different experience with CLI? I'd genuinely be interested in hearing other perspectives.