Class Description
With the recent explosion of creative nonfiction, an emerging sub-genre, the “hermit crab” essay, is steadily gaining in popularity. Hybrids in the truest sense, these essays borrow their structures from ordinary, extra-literary sources. Writers might use a recipe, a police report, a pack of cards, or an obituary as a framework for a lyric meditation on their chosen subject. In the best examples, the borrowed structures are less contrived than inevitable, managing not only to give shape to the work but to illuminate and exemplify its subject. Using ready-made forms is an incredibly liberating way to work—exciting for both new writers and more advanced practitioners. In this one-day seminar, we will do close readings of some exemplary hermit crab essays, discuss the importance of choosing the right “shell,” and spend time generating and reviewing new work.
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 detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. After registering, a yellow Resources tab will appear in this section containing a link to join class. Please note that you will need to be logged into view the Resources tab.
Zoom Participation:
In our experience, the intimate nature of a writing workshop benefits from on-camera participation. Students are of course welcome to turn their camera off whenever they need to, but it is a community norm for cameras to be on most of the time. You can learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
You can enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting by clicking the CC button at the bottom of the screen. If you'd like to access the transcript after class, please make sure to let your instructor ahead of time that you'd like a copy.