About this Course

We write to be seen and to see the world anew. In this generative writing workshop, you’ll practice the art of crafting a compelling personal essay. During our 10 weeks together, you’ll master the steps toward becoming a published essayist, including how to generate ideas, develop drafts, offer and receive constructive feedback, revise your own work, pitch and submit to editors, and build and sustain a writing community.

We’ll read and discuss essays by Elissa Washuta, Melissa Febos, Ada Calhoun, Jane Wong, Jennifer Finney Boylan and Elizabeth Rosner. Then you’ll write in response to timed, instructor-designed prompts based on these writers’ works. You’ll leave our time together with two workshopped essays that are ready for submission.

Three accomplished guests — The New York Times-recognized editor Margot Kahn Case, Salon TV critic Melanie McFarland and Welcome to the Writer’s Life author Paulette Perhach — will share their paths and expertise with you during interactive lectures and discussions.

Designed For

Those interested in writing and publishing personal essays and adding new ideas to our social discourse.

See Requirements

What You’ll Learn

• How to shape a basic concept into a viable essay 
• How to revise a first draft into an effective structure
• How to provide, collect and apply feedback in the revision process
• How to foster relationships with editors and pitch your work to publications
• How to publish and promote your work

Get Hands-On Experience

• Develop submittable drafts of two personal essays
• Craft pitch letters that are ready to send to editors