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Short Story Incubator—Applications extended - the new deadline is Monday, July 29 at 11:59pm ET.

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  • Seminar
  • In-Person: Seaport
  • Teen (13–18)
  • YAWP/Teen

Young Adult Writers Program (YAWP): Words for Style, Signaling, and Surprise

No Longer Enrolling

  • $0.00 Non-Member
  • $0.00 Member

Class Description

UPDATE 1/20: THIS CLASS IS NO LONGER RUNNING

Course Description:

For a writer in any genre, individual words are the bricks with which they work to build their structure. A character’s choice of words can reveal their origins, aspirations, and anxieties; mixing words from different registers can create laughter; and an unexpected-but-perfect word in the right place can strike a reader with the force of a blow.

This session will look at nuances of diction through close reading of writers like Grace Paley, Natasha Trethewey, James Baldwin, and Jamaica Kincaid and through exercises and prompts. For writers age 13 - 18 ONLY.

Takeaway:

Students will leave with a greater appreciation for the expressive potential of individual words and a first draft of a poem or the first page of a story, script, or essay.

Class Format:

This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood.

Space Accessability:

Our space is fully ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.

Covid-19 Updates:

GrubStreet is a mask-friendly space. When our community Covid risk level is low or medium, masks are optional. We are currently at a medium community level, so masking is not required. Learn more about our Covid-19 Policy here.

Registration Instructions:

  • If the student is under 18, parents/guardians must complete this permission form online. You only need to fill this form out ONE TIME, NOT for every class. If you cannot remember whether you have already filled it out, please email [email protected] and we will check for you! If you do not complete this form, your registrations could be voided and the cancellation policy will apply.
  • If the student is 18, simply let us know by emailing [email protected].
  • If you are registering on behalf of a student, add their email in the “For a Friend or Child?” field on the right-hand side of the screen at check out. This will send them a direct link and reminder to create their own profile with GrubStreet.
  • Please register with your preferred name :)

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***If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected]. We’re looking forward to writing with you this winter!***

Scholarships Format/Location

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 in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood.


Covid-19 Update:

GrubStreet's space will be mask-optional when Boston's Covid-19 Community Level is low or medium. When the Covid-19 Community Level is high, our space will require masks. Please check GrubStreet's Covid-19 page for the latest info on masking and Community Levels before visiting in person.


Space Accessibility:

Our space is ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA-compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.