Telling True Stories: A Creative Nonfiction Workshop - Remote!

They say the truth is stranger than fiction, which is why non-fiction writing makes for such compelling reading. But creative non-fiction can mean many things, and telling true stories can take many forms. In this class, we'll take a quick survey through the various forms of narrative nonfiction, including personal essays, op-eds, literary journalism, and book-length memoir, and read selections from authors such as Emma Copley Eisenberg, Rani Neutill, Alison Kinney, and Carmen Maria Machado. There will be in-class exercises designed to explore and unearth material, and you will have a chance to share what you’ve written in class for quick, on-the-spot feedback aimed at identifying what’s most compelling in the work and how you might develop it further. Come to class ready for lively discussions about the work you read at home, craft breakdowns for each style of work, and time to generate your own ideas. Expect to leave with a basic understanding of the directions available to you in nonfiction, some original material to work with, and a clearer idea where to go next.

This class will be hosted using live Zoom meetings! You will be able to participate in class via Zoom videoconference from wherever you’re most comfortable. All you’ll need is a laptop or a phone! About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting via Zoom–no need to download anything or sign up for Zoom in advance! If you have questions about remote learning, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] for more information.

For a glimpse at how remote learning works, look no further than the deep Zoom discussion of writing and literature below:

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.