The 2025-2026 program will meet on Tuesday nights, from 6:00pm-9:00pm (ET). The program is divided into 5 Phases, often with breaks in between. [Note: these dates are subject to change, based on group or program needs, school vacations and holidays.]
Essay Craft, Genre and Writing Process: September 16th - October 7th (Three Weeks) [skip Rosh Hashanah/ Tuesday, Sept 23]
In this phase, students will review advanced lessons in essay-craft to develop a common language with which to talk about the essay form and genre. We will look at examples from the history of the essay, as well as common contemporary examples, to better understand what makes a successful traditionally structured essay vs. an experimentally structured one, and a literary essay compared with a commercial mainstream essay, We will examine scene work, reflective writing, narrative structures, lyrical forms (braids, flash, hermit crab, etc), among other topics. We will also discuss good writing habits, writing practice and writing process. Weekly writing prompts will encourage students to try new craft techniques and forms.
Workshop and Craft, October 14th - December 23rd, 2025 (Ten Weeks) [includes 1 week off on November 25]
An intensive workshopping phase. On a round-robin basis, students will workshop 2 to 3 essays during this phase. Essays may be existing or newly drafted essays. Each writer will be given a thorough oral and/or written critique on each essay from the instructor and fellow students. Focus will be on craft, and suggestions for developmental “big picture” revision. Ongoing discussions of exemplary published work will focus on advanced craft lessons as they arise. Weekly writing prompts will encourage students to try new techniques and craft.
Phase II–III Break [4 Weeks] December 30th -January 20th, 2026
During this interstitial, 5-week break, class does not meet. Students are encouraged to write intensely on their own, generating new essays as well as revising essays in progress. Students are encouraged to meet and connect on Zoom during this time to offer support and guidance and informal feedback. Students may also meet informally with the instructor on an ad hoc basis. At the end of this phase, students will have a conference with the instructor to identify at least 1 craft goal to work on during Phase III, and a set of readings or other activities to help reach those goals.
Revision, January 27th - February 10th, 2026 (Three Weeks)
During this phase, which bridges the Phase II–III Intensive Writing break (that begins on December 17 and continues to January 28th and February 4th), writers will be introduced to a comprehensive framework and strategy for revision. We will discuss the revision process large to small, from formal choices and story/theme focus, to developmental editing, to fine tuning and wordsmithing. Exercises will encourage students to try new revision techniques.
Workshop and Marketplace, February 17th - March 31st, 2026 (Six Weeks) [potentially skip school vacation week in February – TBA]
An intensive workshopping phase. On a round-robin basis, students will workshop 1 to 2 new or revised essays. Each writer will be given a thorough oral and/or written critique on each essay from the instructor and fellow students. Focus will be on craft, and suggestions for logistical/production “final stage” revision. Guest speakers (writer, editors) will visit the program to offer their professional perspectives and advice on submitting work, publishing and the marketplace. Resources for publication and crafting cover letters will be discussed, and students will identify the marketplace options for their work, develop a short list of likely publications, consider revising with specific publication in mind, and begin to send out their essays. Weekly writing prompts will encourage students to try new techniques and craft.
Phase IV-V Break: April 7th- April 14th, 2026 (Two Weeks) [Passover, April 7; also potentially skip school vacation week in April – TBA]
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Phase V: April 21st - June 23rd, 2026 (Ten Weeks)
During this phase, students will present a portfolio of 5 to 10 revised essays to the workshop, with a goal of having at least 3 essays in finished and ready-to-submit form by the end of this phase, and others which may not be fully ready. Students will receive brief final feedback on their essays, with recommendations for additional revision.
Students will target and familiarize themselves with publications pertinent to their work, receive practical advice on submitting to these publications and building their careers as essay writers. Additional guest speakers (writer, editors) will visit the program to offer their professional perspectives and advice on submitting work, publishing and the marketplace. Other sessions will focus on “life after the incubator”: developing a writing practice, staying connected to a writing community, staying on track with goals, submitting to contests/grants/fellowships, and crafting essays collections.
In advance of Manuscript Month, students will receive help preparing for their Manuscript Mart meeting. At the end of this final phase, in a private one-hour consultation with the instructor, students will discuss their progress in the program, their publication and career plans, and steps for moving forward in their work and career.