The Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop has long been known for its supportive, welcoming spirit.
That spirit inspired Mary Warwick, a stand-up comic from the Pittsburgh area, to make a generous $5,000 gift to support emerging writers.
“I received an inheritance from my dad and wanted to donate to a nonprofit I’m familiar with and truly believe in,” Warwick said. “My dad was a cowboy with a quick wit, so the Erma Workshop felt like a perfect fit. The workshop has had a profoundly positive impact on my life, and I hope it will do the same for others.”
Warwick’s contribution will support the DC Stanfa Memorial Writers’ Award Endowment Fund, which provides need-based financial assistance for emerging writers to attend the biennial workshop. The fund cover registration, travel and hotel expenses and honors the late humorist DC Stanfa’s legacy of encouraging and uplifting writers.
Warwick said the workshop’s supportive environment helped give her the confidence to continue pursuing stand-up comedy.
“I perform stand-up regularly — I even have a gig scheduled for 2027,” she said. “Had I not performed at Stand-Up Comedy Night at the workshop in 2024 and received such incredible support, I’m not sure I would have continued.
“The workshop has been such a great experience. I met so many people I’m still in touch with, and I now even have a weekly writing accountability partner. And of course, the stand-up comedy component always inspires me to keep going.”
Warwick began performing clean comedy three years ago after recovering from cancer and deciding it was time to try something new. A lifelong writer, she found the transition to comedy writing came naturally, though stepping onto a stage did not.
“I don’t have a stage background,” she said. “My hobbies have always been sports-related. Performing comedy feels like shooting a foul shot with no time on the clock — for the entire time I’m on stage.”
Her material draws from family life, everyday observations and her experiences as a 6-foot-1 woman navigating a world that often feels built for shorter people. She describes her comedic style as “a mix of Erma Bombeck, Mad Magazine and my dad,” whose quick one-liners and comebacks left a lasting impression on her.
“I’ve now found my own comedic voice — and a deep appreciation for the craft of stand-up comedy,” Warwick said.
Those interested in supporting the fund may make an online contribution here. Please type DC Stanfa Memorial Writers' Award Endowment in the text box that appears.
“The workshop has been built on writers lifting one another up,” said Teri Rizvi, founder. “Mary’s gift is a beautiful example of paying forward the support and inspiration she received. We're grateful for her generosity.”
The next Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop is slated for March 30-April 1, 2028.