Class Description
In this advanced course, experienced students working on narrative, short, medium-length or long-form personal essays will receive support, guidance, and feedback. We'll discuss elements of craft at a high level; try new forms, techniques, voices, and structures; and develop strategies for revision. Prompts, exercises, readings by exemplary authors, and discussion will help you see your own narrative personal essays with fresh eyes. Authors read may include, but are not limited to Cheryl Strayed, Brenda Miller, Jamaica Kincaid, Sabrina Imbler, Leslie Jamison, Scott Russell Sanders,Roxane Gay, T Kira Madden, Jacquira Diaz, and others.
By the end of the course, you’ll have submitted work to the class for critique at least 2 times. (Please note that you will receive feedback from both your classmates and the instructor on each of your submissions.)
Students will be given the responsibility to help shape the class and decide what craft topics the class discussion will focus on. Student will also determine the kind of feedback they seek on each essay during the workshop of their works by submitting topics and questions about their writing along with their essay draft for each submission. Space is limited to 9 students to foster a closer and more rigorous learning experience. Only experienced essay writers who have taken previous essay or narrative nonfiction workshops at GrubStreet or elsewhere should apply.
Important dates:
This application deadline is Monday, May 20th by 11:59pm (EST).
The payment deadline for admitted students is Monday, May 27th.
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. 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!
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!