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The Erma Bombeck writing community continues to spin off creative ventures. The newest: an open mic for stand-up or comedic storytelling in Cincinnati.

“The Erma Bombeck workshop brought together a few women who were commiserating about how the traditional stand-up scene just isn't as on-target for women over 35. A few weeks later, Sunday Funnies was born!” writes Kate Mock Elliott, a storyteller and actress in Cincinnati who organizes and hosts the open mic. “The first event was awesome, so now we're booked for every third Sunday through the end of the year.”

The next Sunday Funnies takes places 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17, at Esoteric Brewing Co., 918 E. McMillan St.

“If you've always been told ‘You should do stand-up!’ but haven't had the courage to try, this is the place for you,” Mock Elliott says. “Bring friends, bring your appetites and bring that story you tell at every holiday party. Yes, that one. We want to hear it.”

While the event is not exclusive, “priority will be given to women, transgender women, non-binary and femme-presenting performers,” she adds, with the remaining spots open to any interested performers. “The goal is to create an environment encouraging to new voices who may be intimidated by more traditional open-mic settings.”

Here’s the link to the Facebook event for Sept. 17. The list will be available for sign-ups beginning at 10:30 a.m. that morning. Each performer will be given five minutes.

Questions about performing? Email katemockelliott@gmail.com

This is the second creative offshoot from the 2022 workshop. Writers who met at last year's workshop have formed a writing group called, appropriately enough, gERMAnators Humor Writers Network. They meet regularly to share their work, help each other improve their writing, and connect with publishing and marketing experts.