Intro to Fiction

Class Description

Attention authors of the 21st century! If you have an unpredictable schedule, travel often, or live outside the Boston area, this online course is the perfect fit for your modern lifestyle. “Introduction to Fiction” will teach you a slew of essential fiction techniques all from the comfort of your own desk--at any time that’s convenient for you! Although you will be asked to complete coursework for each week-long session by Tuesday evening, there will be no time-specific online meetings or webinars to attend. Emphasizing the short story form, this class will focus on a different craft topic each week-long session, including character, structure, dialogue, setting, point of view, and revision. Specifically, you’ll receive:

• A weekly craft talk focusing on an aspect of fiction
• A weekly exercise to sharpen your skills
• Group workshopping of fiction written by you and your classmates
• Individualized critique of your fiction by the instructor
• Discussion of published stories and craft essays by authors like Joyce Carol Oates, Joy Williams, Jhumpa Lahiri, Anne Enright, Kevin Barry, and James Baldwin.

By the end, you’ll not only be versed in the fundamentals, but you’ll walk away with a completed story as well as invaluable feedback for revision.

Class Format

This is an Online: On-Demand class that will take place on our asynchronous online learning platform, Wet.Ink. Weekly lessons and assignments open each Wednesday. Students will receive an invitation to Wet Ink before 5pm on the first day of class!

*NOTE that while our handy dandy "Schedule" tab states a 6-7pm class time, there are actually no live meetings for this class! Assignments and deadlines will be given by your instructor. Students will have access to the online class portal starting at 5pm on the first day of class. Instructions for logging onto the online portal will be emailed to registered students before 5pm the first day of class.

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.