Personal Essay Writing: Revision Workshop

Fine-tune your essay for publication with the former articles director at SELF

WHEN Classroom opens August 14
Discussions start Wednesday, August 21, 8-9 pm ET - Full Schedule

WHERE Online

PRICE
$275 (or $250 for AvantGuild members - details)

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Details

You've taken your essay as far as you can, but when it comes to getting it published in your dream publication or website, you haven't gotten a "yes" from an editor yet. This workshop is for writers seeking to do a serious revision that will make a good story great and dramatically increase your chances of publication.

In this intensive workshop, Paula Derrow, former articles director at Self and Modern Love author, will edit and critique your essay. You'll learn how to turn the red pen on your own work and look at it from an editor's point of view. Paula will help you navigate the market for personal essays, tell you the most effective way to pitch, and recommend the best venues for your work.

By the end of class, you will have:
A polished personal essay and a roadmap for how to get it published.

Admission Requirements:
Students should have a completed essay (no more than 1,200-words) ready to workshop. Apply with a note to explain your interest in this topic and the essay you would like to workshop.

Students who have taken this class have had essays published in:
The New York Times, Salon, Redbook, Glamour, Self, Marie Claire, and Newsweek.

The online classroom has several components:

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

Personal Essay Writing: Revision Workshop (PDF)

View a sample syllabus for the class here.

Instructor

Paula Derrow has consulted for Good Housekeeping, Dailyworth.com, and is the former articles director of Self, where she edited the "Self Expression" column and published writers including Cheryl Strayed, Jane Smiley, and Julie Powell. She has been published in The New York Times' Modern Love column, SELF, Cosmo, and Woman's Day. She's also worked at Glamour, American Health, Harper's Bazaar, The New Yorker, and Lifetime Television for Women.

Paula is the editor of Behind the Bedroom Door: Getting It, Giving It, Loving It, Missing It, a Publisher's Weekly-starred anthology of essays by women about sex in real life.

Paula Derrow's Courses
Personal Essay Writing: Revision Workshop – (Starts August 14)

Testimonials

Paula's course resulted in my being published in The New York Times' Modern Love column. Her suggestions take a personal essay from 'a good idea' to publishable. -- Liza Monroy

"Paula gets to the heart of the personal essay. She inspired me to finish essays I had been toying with in my mind for a long time, and I have submitted my first essay for publication." -- Glenn Michael Gordon

"I was immediately impressed with Paula's style. I wrote a piece shortly after the class that ran in Runner's World. Thanks, Paula!" -- Bill Braine, editor and freelancer

"Paula convinced me that my writing was not only publishable but also worth publishing. With her encouragement and honest critique I placed pieces in The New York Times and the San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Magazine. I can't commend Paula highly enough." -- Erica Rex

"Paula has a knack for getting to the essence of an essay and pointing out what a writer can do to make a piece stronger and have a better arc." -- Christine Koubek

"If you want to know how to improve your writing and better your chances of getting published, take Paula's class. I highly recommend it." -- Rebecca Shalomoff

"Paula is an extremely smart, talented, and thoughtful instructor who brings great knowledge and insight to her classes. I acquired invaluable information and tools to better improve my writing." -- Yitta Mandelbaum

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