The 2024-2025 program will meet on Tuesday nights, from 6:00pm-9:00pm (ET), from September 10, 2024 to June 24, 2025. 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 10th – September 24th, 2024 (3 weeks)
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 1st – December 10th, 2024 (10 weeks)
Please note: Class does not meet on Election Day, November 5.
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.
Note: Class does not meet December 24, 2024 – Jan 21 2025.
Phase II–III Break
Intensive Writing, December 24, 2024 – January 21, 2025 (5 weeks)
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, December 17, 2024; January 28th, 2025 and February 4th, 2025 (3 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 11th – March 25th, 2025 (6 weeks)
Please note: Class will likely not meet on February 18th (school vacation week), depending on student preference.
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.
Please note: Class does not meet on April 1.
Portfolio Workshop and Publishing, April 8th–June 24th, 2025 (10 weeks)
Please note: Class will likely not meet on April 15 (Passover) and April 22nd (school vacation week), depending on student preference.
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 the Muse and the Marketplace conference (dates TBA), students will receive help preparing for the conference and 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.