Women's Personal Essay Writing: A Workshop

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Course Details

  • Location: Online
  • Duration: 9 weeks
  • Times: Evenings

Next Start Date:

January 21, 2025

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About this Course


We write to be seen and to see the world anew. In this generative writing workshop taught by the award-winning author, journalist and essayist Kristen Millares Young, you’ll practice the art of crafting a compelling personal essay. 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, Gloria Anzaldúa, Audre Lorde 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 — 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.

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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 

Program Overview

To earn the Certificate in Writing, complete any three courses in two years or less.

 

You should register for all courses individually; there is no application process for the certificate program.

Learning Format

Online With Real-Time Meetings

Online With Real-Time Meetings

Combine the convenience of online learning with the immediacy of real-time interaction. You’ll stream courses online and interact with your instructors and fellow students via video conferencing or chat, both in real time. Learn More »

Course Sessions

Online With Real-Time Meetings

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