Winter 2005 Workshops at Writers & Books

Single Sessions

Encouraging Young Writers: For Parents & Educators of Children in Kindergarten–6th Grade

• WY5-M1B3
• One Thursday, January 20, 6:30–8 pm
• $9 W&B members / $10 general public
• Limit 14
• Instructor: Wendy Low

Do you want to encourage your elementary school writer? Whether he or she is reluctant or avid about writing, this workshop will provide information on how to:

• motivate writers at different ages
• overcome internal and external obstacles children face when writing
• recognize stages in learning how to write well
• differentiate the various purposes for writing
• break down the task and set up processes that ease a writer’s task
• ensure that your child masters “the basics” while not losing creativity
• provide opportunities for writers to gain support and experience
• create opportunities for end-product pride

We’ll provide handouts and a bibliography. Hands-on activities will give participants some perspective on what children experience while learning to write. Plenty of time for Q&A!

An Introduction to Writing the Narrative Poem

• WA5-P36
• One Saturday, January 22, 10 am–2 pm
• $39 W&B members / $44 general public
• Instructor: Patricia Roth Schwartz

Explore the flexibility and richness of this unique form that combines narrative with the hallmarks of lyric poetry—brevity, sound, imagery, and style—to create a story-line complete with characterization.

Learn from the narrative poems of Robert Browning, Robert Frost, Joan Murray, Ralph Black, William Heyen, Suzanne Owens, Lola Haskins, and others. Participants will write a narrative poem of their own working from a series of in-class exercises.

(A Story Well-Versed is a great follow-up to this course. Register for both at the same time and receive an additional 10% discount on both workshops.)

Writers Groups: Can You Handle the Truth?

• WA5-M61
• One Saturday, January 29, 10 am–1 pm
• $29 W&B members / $33 general public
• Instructors: Carolyn Kourofsky, Kate Romansky, and Shelagh Hodson

Can a critique group improve your writing and help you get published? These experienced authors think so!

From first draft through submission, rejection, and publication, a supportive critique group can help the beginning or experienced author improve every manuscript. Learn how to read a manuscript critically and write a constructive critique. Discover what makes a critique group work (hint: it’s not just the writing), how to sidestep common problems, and whether an online critique group is right for you.

Network with other area writers and form a group of your own, or see who might be a good fit for your existing group.

Fiction in a Flash

• WA5-F76
• One Saturday, February 5, 10 am–1 pm
• $39 W&B members / $45 general public
• Instructor: Antonio Vallone

Literary and general interest magazines everywhere are looking for short-short fiction, also known as micro, fast, furious, skinny, miniscule, sudden, or postcard fiction.

In this workshop students will learn the principles of getting the most out of the least. You’ll have an opportunity to read some published examples in the genre and practice writing some flash fiction of your own.

Students should come to class with two short-short fictions and copies enough for the entire class. Join the editor and publisher of MAMMOTH books for this workshop.

(Required text included in workshop fee, The MAMMOTH Book of Miniscule Fiction, will be provided on day of class.)

Check our Calendar of Events for Antonio’s reading on Friday evening, February 4!

Honesty in Business Writing

• WA5-B32
• One Saturday, February 26, 10 am–1 pm
• $25 W&B members / $29 general public
• Instructor: Martin Naparsteck

Too often the ethical standards for business writers—whether in memos, resumes, form letters, or annual reports—have been far too low.

This course will offer workable methods to give participants the moral courage to resist pressure from bosses and clients to “spin” reality, report only “happy facts,” and put “the bottom line” before the truth.

Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Publishing but Were Afraid to Ask

• WA5-B29
• One Saturday, March 5, 10 am–1 pm
• $33 W&B members / $39 general public
• Instructor: Patricia Ryan

A multi-published novelist and former publishing professional tells all in this torrid expose about publishing:

• How to prepare and submit your manuscript; industry customs and etiquette;
• the economics of publishing and whether you can make a living writing books (yes);
• the necessity of an agent and how to get one;
• pitfalls and scams;
• electronic publishing and subsidy publishing;
• what’s hot and what’s not;
• how to craft a winning pitch and query letter;
• what the heck a synopsis really is and how to write one (with samples!).

Of interest across all genres, students will learn the publishing process from manuscript to bookstore. Bring your notebooks and questions. This is not a critique workshop.

(Writing the Commercial Novel is a great companion to this course. Register for both at the same time and receive an additional 10% discount on both workshops.)

Writing Erotic Fiction

• WA5-F33
• One Saturday, March 26, 10 am–1 pm
• $33 W&B members / $39 general public
• Instructor: Patricia Ryan

In all genres—literary, mainstream, suspense, horror, romance, even science fiction and fantasy—there are plots in which the characters’ sexuality takes center stage.

Eroticism, whether subtle or graphic, can add a compelling dimension to your writing. It also sells! Publishers everywhere are seeking manuscripts with erotic content.

There is more to writing erotic fiction than learning the “tricks” of the trade, one must also understand the “sensual touch.”

Students must be at least eighteen years old to attend this workshop.

Writing the Commercial Novel

• WA5-F34
• One Saturday, April 9, 10 am–4 pm
• $54 W&B members / $59 general public
• Instructors: Patricia Ryan and Pamela Burford

The majority of novels published today are commercial—often defined as popular fiction—a category that includes mystery and suspense, science fiction and fantasy, romance, women’s fiction, horror, and general mainstream literature. Their purpose is to entertain, and this workshop is designed to help students strike that all-important balance between art and commerce.

The instructors will cover classic storytelling techniques, reader and editor expectations, genre conventions, and tips for marketing your novel. This is not a critique workshop. The class consists mainly of lecture and Q&A, taught by twin sisters who are multipublished novelists.

(Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About Publishing is a great companion to this course. Register for both at the same time and receive an additional 10% discount on both workshops.)

Writing for the Internet

• WA5-B28
• One Saturday, April 16, 10 am–5 pm
• $49 W&B members / $55 general public
• Instructor: K. Howard

Do you often run across Web sites with incredibly poor writing and think, “I could do a better job than that?!” Well, you CAN.

In this workshop, participants will learn how to identify possible Internet markets for their writing, review correct styles for the Internet, work on sample writing exercises for specific markets, and learn how to sell their writing online—safely.

Students should have some familiarity with the Internet and search engines, and have some writing experience, but neither extensive knowledge in these areas nor Web design skills are necessary. (Plan on a one-hour lunch break.)

Writing the Labyrinth

• WA5-M77
• One Thursday, April 28th, 7–9 pm
• $9 W&B members / $12 general public
• Instructor: Karen vanMeenen

A leading labyrinth researcher writes, “A walker leaving the labyrinth is not the same person who entered it, but has been born again into a new phase or level of existence.”

Join us for a brief introduction to the labyrinth and a walk (or two) on a canvas six-circuit Cretan labyrinth. After the walk participants will respond to writing prompts about this life-changing experience and have an opportunity to share their experiences with the group.

Writing Aerobics: Pilates For Your Pen!

• WA5-M22
• Nine Saturdays, 10 am–Noon
• $99 W&B members / $129 general public for the fall, or $20 W&B members / $25 general public per session

Instructors:

• January 15: Anaïs Salibian
• January 29: Sarah Freligh
• February 12: Patricia Roth Schwartz
• February 26: Wanda Schubmehl
• March 12: Len Messineo
• March 26: Karen vanMeenen
• April 2: David Michael Nixon
• April 16: M.J. Iuppa
• April 30: Nancy Caronia

It’s true—we’re not just aerobics anymore!

Much like the Pilates method of body training, our instructors will help you focus on improving flexibility and strength in your writing without piling on unnecessary bulk. Impromptu writing exercises often inspire great moments of fiction, poetry, memoir, and drama, not to mention valuable endorphins.

The emphasis each class is on generating spontaneous work. Students may share their efforts if they feel comfortable, but this is not a critique workshop. Each session is meant to get those brain cells pumping! Subscribe for the series and save, or come to individual workouts—either way you can’t go wrong!

(Instructors subject to change.)

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