This seminar is designed for writers who wish to develop the sense of place in their fiction. Through an engaging process of providing examples, sharing ideas, and writing prompts, writers will further develop the sense of place in their stories by exploring their characters and their view of the world. We will study such writers as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Louise Erdrich, Larry McMurtry, and James Baldwin. Students will write or revise a scene, discovering how to build worlds through imagery,…

So you've written your book, now what? Join us for a class on how to craft a grabbing elevator pitch, where to find an agent, what to do and say on an agent call, what you can expect from your representative, and everything that follows writing a book with literary agent Jessica Errera.

Worldbuilding, the process of constructing a fictional setting to place a story's plot and characters within, is a fundamental and defining cornerstone to the fantasy and science fiction genres. But where should one begin when creating a new world? How does one create worlds that feel rich and tangible without bogging readers down in so much information that the story itself loses its pace and intrigue? How can writers use a story's world to strengthen its very structure? These are…

What languages existed in ancient Europe before the advent of the modern Indo-European family? How far back can we trace these languages, and how are they woven into the tapestry of the English we use today? In this two-part Writers Knowledge seminar, we will begin with the ancient Paleo-European languages, including two cultures which have survived into historical times—the Basques and the Etruscans—and see how words from these languages have entered modern English. From there we will survey the development…

Twenty-five years ago, the affable and well-named Dinty Moore created an online magazine he named Brevity. At the time, brief pieces of nonfiction—flash memoirs—were something new. How much fire could one create in 750 words or less? Early on, Moore was asked to define a Brevity essay. “My only original dictum was ‘scene and story over explanation’,” he wrote. As time went on, and after receiving hundreds (now thousands) of submissions, he realized that a Brevity essay could take many…

Are you too worried about rejection to submit your work for publication? Maybe you have submitted, but you’re unsure of the process. Or perhaps you'd just like to know how to get started with submissions. No matter the case, this session is for you! We'll explore many reasons why most work is rejected, and how to position yours for the best acceptance chances. From formatting to finding the right publications, from tracking your subs to keeping a positive attitude, we'll…