Class Description
Were you taught to write in ways that negate your cultural influences, verbal tics, and everything that makes you you? As BIPOC writers, we may find that we no longer sound like ourselves on the page. Despite our creative intentions and authentic pursuits, we’ve been told too many times, directly and subliminally, that we are not enough, our voice isn’t marketable, and our stories are not worthy of being published. And yet, we feel empowered by other BIPOC writer’s, their story and voice, and we wonder how they learned to write so fluidly and honestly while staying true to themselves?
This seminar for BIPOC writers will acknowledge the struggle to write in a voice that is unique to you and your stories. We’ll define “voice” as a craft and cultural term and examine what publishers and agents mean when they say they are looking for strong, original voices. Reading the work of BIPOC writers with strong, distinctive voices, like Kiese Laymon, Samantha Irby, Deesha Philyaw, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Jenisha Watts, Hanif Abdurraqib, we’ll consider what authenticity means in voice. And through various writing exercises, you will rediscover your voice on the page, and unlearn what you’ve been taught about how you’re “supposed” to sound.
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. Please visit the Resources tab to access the video-conference link.
Zoom Participation:
Students are not required to turn their camera on, but are encouraged to participate any way they feel comfortable through functions such as the live chat, emoji reactions, and unmuting the microphone. Learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
We ask that instructors enable closed captioning and send a transcript of the session after class. You can also enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting. If your instructor forgets to send the transcript, just send ’em an email!