Memoir Writing

Tell -- and sell -- the story of your life

WHEN Materials available starting June 12
Discussions start Wednesday, June 19, 8-9 pm ET - Full Schedule

WHERE Online

PRICE
$660 (or $635 for AvantGuild members - details)

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ALSO STARTS: New York - 7/1/2013

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Details

Remember The Glass Castle? It's time for you to write your New York Times bestseller.

This class is geared towards anyone ready to write a memoir but needs to learn how to tell it -- and sell it. You'll participate in a stimulating, supportive environment where you can workshop your memoir-in-progress and receive invaluable feedback.

Through weekly assignments and lectures, you will learn how to turn your idea into a book deal and produce up to 50 pages of text and an outline. You will also learn about craft, style, and the development of your unique voice.

In this class, you will learn how to:

Find your authentic voice and unlock memories
Know what the 'theme' of your story is
Find the most effective structure for your story
Approach literary agents
Understand techniques for selling a memoir before you have finished writing it

By the end of class, you will have:
An outline, 50 pages of a memoir, and a plan for approaching literary agents and publishing houses.

Students who have taken this class have published with:
Crown, Random House, and have gotten agents at William Morris and Brandt & Hochman.

The online classroom has several components:

Lessons: Learn new skills through written lessons
Discussion: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

Course Syllabus

Memoir Writing (PDF)

View a sample syllabus for the class here.

Instructor

Wendy Dale is the author of the travel memoir Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals: Adventures in Love and Danger and Guerrilla War for Extra Credit, the first of two young adult novels scheduled to be published by Dutton. Her work has appeared on Public Radio International, in newspapers, magazines, and on television. The TV special she co-scripted, The New Adventures of Mother Goose, was nominated for an Emmy. She recently returned to her first love, memoir writing, with American Wetback: An Immigrant in My Own Country.

Wendy Dale's Courses
Memoir Writing – (Starts June 12)

Testimonials

Wendy was motivating and critical, pushing me beyond my comfort zone to explore new territory. She encouraged collaboration and with her feedback, I dug deeper to find the voice to complete assignments. -- Natalie Crate

"Wendy encourages her students to dig deeper -- and the results show. I highly recommend her. She is insightful, conscientious, and supportive. I couldn't ask for more." -- Michele Meek

"Wendy is that tough critic who can be the best thing that happens to your manuscript." -- Lucey Bowen

"Wendy is phenomenal! I've taken dozens of writing courses and completed an MFA in creative writing. Never have I received such useful instruction. I'm happy that I'll be starting her advanced course next week." -- Mary Rowland

"Wendy exceeded my expectations. I was stunned by how much practical information I learned and by how much I grew as a writer. The class was, in a word, invaluable!" -- Carly Van Thomme

"Wendy is the best instructor I've had, bar none. She continually pushes you and never lets you settle for good enough. She is knowledgeable, patient, helpful, and has an excellent sense of humor! I would take a class again with her anytime." -- Sandra Carpenter