WHEN: Saturday, November 21, 1-5 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Do you have a great idea for a novel, but don't know where to start? Or perhaps you've hit a snag midway through your draft? Is your finished manuscript sitting in your drawer with no idea what comes next? This workshop will cover everything that goes into creating a novel, from generating a story idea to querying an agent. We'll revisit elements of craft including plot, character, and dialogue and discuss how to go about publishing your finished product.

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Shari Goldhagen's Courses

Shari Goldhagen published her first novel, Family and Other Accidents, in 2006 (Doubleday). She holds an MFA from Ohio State and a journalism degree from Northwestern. A fellow of both Yaddo and MacDowell, she currently lives in New York City, where she has stalked celebrities as a reporter for magazines, including The National Enquirer, Life & Style, and Celebrity Living.

Testimonials

Shari was wonderful! She was very helpful and reassuring. I loved how she was frank and utterly honest. She told us how it really is, but didn't sour us on publishing our own work. -- Nicole Yanolatos

"Shari was excellent, perceptive, and very encouraging. She had lots of specific examples from writing her own novel and novels she had read. This helped to both generate a first draft and improve on the content already there." -- Dekker Dare

"Shari was both insightful and funny while offering detailed criticism of our writing. She was also realistic and encouraging about the process. I look forward to taking another class with her." -- Anne Barthel

"Shari is great. She is very laid back and her suggestions are spot on." --Jennifer Fermino

"Shari preserved the individuality and organic nature of novel writing while at the same time presenting tried and true advice." -- Mark Decker

"Shari's class allowed me to find my voice as a writer. I would recommend this course to anyone who is seriously writing and needs a refresher or even just feedback. It was great!" -- Keisha Bush

"Shari kept the discussion moving in an organized fashion. Clearly, she has had plenty of experience because her advice was thoughtful and provoked personal inquiry." -- Ann Votaw

WHEN 8 weeks, November 23 - January 18 Chats Mondays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Chick lit is one of the hottest genres in modern fiction, and it's gaining even more momentum with the films In Her Shoes, The Devil Wears Prada and Shopaholic (all from chick lit books) hitting the big screen. At the same time, authors such as Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve are still dominating the bestseller charts with soul-searching fiction about everyday women. Maybe you've read books in this genre and thought, "I can write this!"

By the end of class, you will:
Be well on your way to completing the first draft of a chick lit or women's fiction novel. You'll also know how to sell it to agents and how to edit your own novel.

Admission Requirements
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 1,000 words).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

Course Syllabus

Novel Writing: Chick Lit (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Instructor Bio

Kristin Harmel's Courses

Kristin Harmel is the author of How to Sleep with a Movie Star, The Blonde Theory, and The Art of French Kissing, all from Warner Books/5 Spot/Hachette Book Group and When You Wish, a teen novel from Random House. In August 2009 look for her fifth novel, Italian for Beginners, (Hachette Book Group). In early 2010 her sixth novel, After, (Random House) hits shelves.

Kristin is also a reporter for People magazine and a freelance writer for Glamour, American Baby, Woman's Day, and Health. Visit her web site at www.KristinHarmel.com.

Testimonials

Kristin really wants her students to improve, and I benefited greatly from her kind but sharp critiques. She knows what she's doing in terms of writing and is intimately familiar with the publishing/agent world. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in taking their manuscript to the next level. -- Susan Dennard

"Kristin is a fantastic teacher. She gives constructive criticism that is motivational and precise. My manuscript advanced so much in this class and I couldn't have done it without her guidance." -- Colleen Quill

"Kristin is the most motivating and empowering writing instructor I have had the privilege to work with. I would highly recommend any class she teaches." -- Kristen Conway

"Kristin is truly a dynamo! She made herself available in and out of class. She is truly a wonderful person and teacher." -- Ellen Feig

"Kristin is a great instructor. She motivates you to get the idea from your head onto the paper and get your book done. I would recommend her to anyone." -- Linda Olatunde

"I could not have asked for a better instructor than Kristin. I've taken two classes with her and can honestly say I wouldn't have produced the pages I have without her guidance." -- Debbie Feit

"Kristin was fabulous! She far exceeded my expectations. She was very generous with her time and was so enthusiastic. I will definitely sign up for her online class." -- Kathy Goodman

"Kristin knows how to balance reality with inspiration. She left her students feeling they can conquer the publishing world!" -- Maureen Jenkins

"Kristin's enthusiastic no-nonsense approach encourages anyone with a good idea to tackle writing. Her energy and her generosity in offering tips has got me fired up to write!" -- Helen Mitternight

"Kristin is extremely knowledgeable about her craft. Her input was valuable, and her direction on characterization was inspiring." -- Lauren Bahlman

"Kristin is an engaging, friendly, and experienced instructor who knows her stuff and makes her students feel at ease." -- Rebekah Gordon

"Kristin is warm, funny, and well-spoken. She provided solid advice mixed with her personal experiences and perspective." -- Liz Grimes

"Kristin really helped me develop my manuscript and my writing. She had well thought out ways of helping students make progress and keep our projects on track." -- Ellie Parker

"Kristin has incredible amounts of energy and an obvious true passion for writing. It is truly inspirational to learn from her and I left the class feeling a renewed sense of drive to write my book!" -- Sara Mailloux

"Kristin's experience comes through in the lecture notes and chat sessions. She has a very casual, inviting style which makes her seem less like a strict instructor and more like a colleague. I would definitely recommend taking one of her courses." -- Christine Guerrini

"Kristin really knows what she's talking about and genuinely wants her students to be as successful as she already is. She's a great teacher who gives wonderful advice and plenty of encouragement." -- Meredith Bodgas

WHEN: Monday, November 30, 6:30-10:30 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Everyone gets writer's block at one time or another. Maybe you just finished a manuscript and don't know what to start next. Maybe the only thing you're writing these days is emails and you want to try your hand at something more enduring. Maybe you've always thought you had a story in you, but you don't know how to get it out.

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Kendra Levin's Courses

Kendra Levin is an associate editor at Viking Children's Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), where she edits literature of all age levels from picture books to YA. She has worked with a wide range of critically acclaimed authors. An award-winning playwright whose work has been produced off and off-off Broadway, Kendra also works with writers as a certified life coach.

Testimonials

Kendra was truly awesome. She was professional, personally invested, and believed in every student's work. She offered never-ending encouragement and precise and helpful critique. Not only did she enhance my knowledge about writing for YA, she improved my writing quality as well. -- Jill MacKenzie

"Kendra really made an effort to find out what would help each student the best during our class time. She was very encouraging and helpful. I left her class feeling inspired and ready to write!" -- Elaine Emme

"Kendra was so engaging and inspiring. She was really able to get your creativity going in such a short time!" -- Jenny Darlington

"I loved Kendra's class! I learned more in four weeks than I have in the past three years! Kendra rocks!" -- Jill Unger

"Kendra has a great talent for bringing out latent creativity. After leaving Kendra's class, I had at least 4 solid story ideas to start me off. I thoroughly enjoyed her class!" -- Jenny Darlington

"Kendra's YA class is perfect if you're starting a young adult novel. She really helps hone ideas, think through structure, and offers much support and insightful feedback." -- Julie Sternberg

WHEN Tuesday, December 1, 7-10 pm WHERE BCA, Stanford Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116 DIRECTIONS Click here PRICE $65 ($50 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Is your real life stranger than fiction? Do you think, day after day, "this would make a great book"? This seminar will cover every step of the process of writing a chick lit novel, from the kernel of your idea to the publication of your novel. You will get a full overview of the publishing industry and learn how chick lit novels get published, along with the basic elements of crafting a novel that will sell. Whether you've just been on a ton of bad dates or are already beginning to write, this is the seminar for you.

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Boston, MA

Instructor Bio

Kristin Harmel's Courses

Kristin Harmel is the author of How to Sleep with a Movie Star, The Blonde Theory, and The Art of French Kissing, all from Warner Books/5 Spot/Hachette Book Group and When You Wish, a teen novel from Random House. In August 2009 look for her fifth novel, Italian for Beginners, (Hachette Book Group). In early 2010 her sixth novel, After, (Random House) hits shelves.

Kristin is also a reporter for People magazine and a freelance writer for Glamour, American Baby, Woman's Day, and Health. Visit her web site at www.KristinHarmel.com.

Testimonials

Kristin really wants her students to improve, and I benefited greatly from her kind but sharp critiques. She knows what she's doing in terms of writing and is intimately familiar with the publishing/agent world. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in taking their manuscript to the next level. -- Susan Dennard

"Kristin is a fantastic teacher. She gives constructive criticism that is motivational and precise. My manuscript advanced so much in this class and I couldn't have done it without her guidance." -- Colleen Quill

"Kristin is the most motivating and empowering writing instructor I have had the privilege to work with. I would highly recommend any class she teaches." -- Kristen Conway

"Kristin is truly a dynamo! She made herself available in and out of class. She is truly a wonderful person and teacher." -- Ellen Feig

"Kristin is a great instructor. She motivates you to get the idea from your head onto the paper and get your book done. I would recommend her to anyone." -- Linda Olatunde

"I could not have asked for a better instructor than Kristin. I've taken two classes with her and can honestly say I wouldn't have produced the pages I have without her guidance." -- Debbie Feit

"Kristin was fabulous! She far exceeded my expectations. She was very generous with her time and was so enthusiastic. I will definitely sign up for her online class." -- Kathy Goodman

"Kristin knows how to balance reality with inspiration. She left her students feeling they can conquer the publishing world!" -- Maureen Jenkins

"Kristin's enthusiastic no-nonsense approach encourages anyone with a good idea to tackle writing. Her energy and her generosity in offering tips has got me fired up to write!" -- Helen Mitternight

"Kristin is extremely knowledgeable about her craft. Her input was valuable, and her direction on characterization was inspiring." -- Lauren Bahlman

"Kristin is an engaging, friendly, and experienced instructor who knows her stuff and makes her students feel at ease." -- Rebekah Gordon

"Kristin is warm, funny, and well-spoken. She provided solid advice mixed with her personal experiences and perspective." -- Liz Grimes

"Kristin really helped me develop my manuscript and my writing. She had well thought out ways of helping students make progress and keep our projects on track." -- Ellie Parker

"Kristin has incredible amounts of energy and an obvious true passion for writing. It is truly inspirational to learn from her and I left the class feeling a renewed sense of drive to write my book!" -- Sara Mailloux

"Kristin's experience comes through in the lecture notes and chat sessions. She has a very casual, inviting style which makes her seem less like a strict instructor and more like a colleague. I would definitely recommend taking one of her courses." -- Christine Guerrini

"Kristin really knows what she's talking about and genuinely wants her students to be as successful as she already is. She's a great teacher who gives wonderful advice and plenty of encouragement." -- Meredith Bodgas

WHEN 4 hours, Tuesday, December 8, 6:30-10:30 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) LEVEL Advanced PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

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Journalism

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Paula Derrow's Courses

Paula Derrow is the articles director of Self magazine, where she edits the "Self Expression" column as well as investigative, general-interest, and psychology features. She has more than 20 years of editing and writing experience at a variety of women's and general-interest magazines and Web sites, including Glamour, American Health, Harper's Bazaar, The New Yorker, and Lifetime Television for Women (lifetimetv.com). She is the editor of Behind the Bedroom Door: Getting It, Giving It, Loving It, Missing It (Delacorte) an anthology of essays by women about sex in real life.

Testimonials

Paula's course resulted in my being published in The New York Times' Modern Love column. Paula's suggestions inevitably 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 took Paula's workshop and was immediately impressed with her deceptively laid-back style. Her feedback was incisive and powerfully focused on the heart of each person's story. 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 NYTimes City Section and the My Word (person essay page) of 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

"Paula gives insightful, thorough feedback on your work. If you want to know how to improve your writing and better your chances of getting published, take her class. I highly recommend it." -- Rebecca Shalomoff

WHEN 8 weeks, January 11 - March 15 Chats Mondays, 8:30-9:30 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Advanced PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

You've made it through the challenge of choosing a concept and a hook for your novel, outlining the story arc, and even beginning to write. Now it's time for the disciplined stage of writing, revising, and then revising some more. This course functions as an online workshop for novels in progress, with the emphasis on sharing your work for review and providing critique for others.

By the end of class, you will:
Have feedback on up to 80 pages of your novel and be equipped to continue implementing the editing techniques learned on your own.

Students who have taken this class have published:
Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President (Simon & Schuster), Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa (Razarbill), Vidalia in Paris (Viking), Rock the Burbs (Random House), Brand New Emily (Tricycle Press), This is What I Want to Tell You (Flux) and sold 4-book deals to Penguin and 2-book deals to HarperCollins

Admission Requirements
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 1,000 words).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.
  

Course Syllabus

Young Adult Novel Writing: Advanced (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Instructor Bio

Jill Santopolo's Courses

Jill Santopolo is an executive editor at Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group. Prior to that, she edited at HarperCollins Children's Books for the Laura Geringer and Balzer + Bray imprints. She has worked on critically-acclaimed, award-winning, and New York Times best-selling titles. Jill holds a BA in English literature from Columbia University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. She is also the author of The Nina, The Pinta and the Vanishing Treasure and The Ransom Note Blues, both published by Scholastic.

Testimonials

Jill gave 110%. She was available throughout the week as a sounding board or to answer questions and always had great suggestions on how to propel each story forward. Now that class is over I'm inspired to read and write as much as I can and take another one of Jill's classes! -- Theresa Read

"The opportunity to work with Jill was just the push I needed to get me over the hump with my current novel. She was very generous with her knowledge of both craft and the publishing industry and her feedback was always encouraging and spot on." -- Susan Taylor Brown

"I worship the ground upon which Jill walks! She challenged us each week to produce our best effort. She is awesome." -- Meg Dobson

"Kudos to Jill for her expert guidance. The challenge of pleasing her editor's eye was just what I needed to find the direction for my manuscripts. The open dialogue with editor on a daily basis was an amazing and instructive opportunity." -- Alison Formento

"If your goal is to write and publish a YA or MG fiction novel but you just don't seem to be able to get motivated or maintain discipline, this course is for you! I was amazed by how much I had accomplished when this class was over!" -- Theresa Read

"Take this course. Jill is brilliant. She gears her instruction toward writers who are ready to publish. Her editorial insights are razor-sharp and generous. She knows how to get the best work out of her students while bolstering their confidence and productivity." -- Kimberly White

"The course was extremely engaging. Jill was very knowledgeable and responsive." -- Nancy Lessem

"Jill kept me focused and determined to get my writing done. The quantity and quality of my writing improved significantly. Thanks to this class, I'm ready to start the submission process with confidence." -- Naomi Panzer

"Jill's knowledge of the publishing world is seemingly unlimited. This was my third mediabistro class. I will most assuredly be back." -- Meg E. Dobson

"Jill was fabulous! She gave very balanced feedback that was always helpful and inspiring. The encouragement she gave me helped me make changes to my manuscript resulting in a much better story." -- Theresa Read

"Taking Jill's class was perhaps one of the best investments in my development as a writer. With her expertise as both an editor and a published author, she was able to advise and teach the class from both perspectives. I'll be taking another class with Jill!" -- Syndee Barwick

"Jill pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and showed me how to dig deeper for those emotions and character motivations. I am a stronger writer after taking Jill's class. I'd highly recommend this course." -- Christina Farley

WHEN 6 weeks, January 12 - February 23 Chats Tuesdays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intro PRICE $425 ($399 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Are you an aspiring fiction writer eager to publish your short stories? In this primer to short fiction, you'll learn everything you need to know to write a compelling short story, from developing engaging characters and consistent point of view to creating effective narrative tension and writing authentic dialogue. Reading assignments of contemporary fiction and writing exercises will provide both inspiration and useful examples as you workshop your short stories with a group of fellow fiction writers.

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

Course Syllabus

Short Story Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Instructor Bio

S. Kirk Walsh's Courses

S. Kirk Walsh is a graduate of New York University's creative writing program, where she studied with E.L. Doctorow, Peter Carey, and Mona Simpson. Her literary criticism has been published in The New York Times, The Times Literary Supplement, and The International Herald Tribune.

Kirk has contributed essays and articles to several anthologies and has worked at The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Details, Entertainment Weekly, and Self. She has been awarded residencies at the Ragdale Foundation and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Currently, she teaches undergraduate fiction writing at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, and is at work on a novel.

WHEN 12 weeks, Tuesdays, January 12 - April 13 Online chats: Tuesdays, 8-9 pm EST WHERE Online. Click here for details. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $610 ($575 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete first draft of a YA or middle grade novel

Students who have taken this class have published:
Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President (Simon & Schuster), Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa (Razarbill), Vidalia in Paris (Viking), Rock the Burbs (Random House), Brand New Emily (Tricycle Press), This is What I Want to Tell You (Flux) and sold 4-book deals to Penguin and 2-book deals to HarperCollins

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history), and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.
  

Course Syllabus

Young Adult Novel Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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View all courses in

Creative Writing

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Kendra Levin's Courses

Kendra Levin is an associate editor at Viking Children's Books, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), where she edits literature of all age levels from picture books to YA. She has worked with a wide range of critically acclaimed authors. An award-winning playwright whose work has been produced off and off-off Broadway, Kendra also works with writers as a certified life coach.

Testimonials

Kendra was truly awesome. She was professional, personally invested, and believed in every student's work. She offered never-ending encouragement and precise and helpful critique. Not only did she enhance my knowledge about writing for YA, she improved my writing quality as well. -- Jill MacKenzie

"Kendra really made an effort to find out what would help each student the best during our class time. She was very encouraging and helpful. I left her class feeling inspired and ready to write!" -- Elaine Emme

"Kendra was so engaging and inspiring. She was really able to get your creativity going in such a short time!" -- Jenny Darlington

"I loved Kendra's class! I learned more in four weeks than I have in the past three years! Kendra rocks!" -- Jill Unger

"Kendra has a great talent for bringing out latent creativity. After leaving Kendra's class, I had at least 4 solid story ideas to start me off. I thoroughly enjoyed her class!" -- Jenny Darlington

"Kendra's YA class is perfect if you're starting a young adult novel. She really helps hone ideas, think through structure, and offers much support and insightful feedback." -- Julie Sternberg

WHEN 12 weeks, January 13 - April 7 Online chats: Wednesdays, 10-11 pm EST WHERE Online. Click here for information. PRICE $610 ($575 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

You want to write a novel. So what's the big deal? Well, it's a daunting task. What's the actual writing process? Do you need an outline? How can you stop procrastinating and improve your self-discipline? How can you better manage your time and work when you feel defeated and uninspired?

Join 11 fellow writers in your pursuit of a first draft, under the guidance of a novelist who knows what she's doing -- and what you need to do. You'll learn the lost art of craft, the power of the outline, and how to find the "hook" that will sell your novel.

You'll get weekly lessons on such topics as characterization, point of view, style, dialogue, plot, and silencing your inner critic. Students will share their work with the class at least three times during the course and will join the instructor in providing feedback to other students. Students are encouraged to post regularly on the discussion boards about the progess of their novels, questions that arise, and anything writing-related that is on their minds.

In this class, you will learn:

By the end of class, you will:
Be well on your way to completing the first draft of a novel.

Students who have taken this class have published:
Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President (Simon & Schuster), House and Home (Voice), and signed with the McIntosh and Otis agency

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a fiction writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

Course Syllabus

Novel Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Instructor Bio

Erika Mailman's Courses

Erika Mailman is the author of The Witch's Trinity (Random House, 2007), a novel about a medieval woman accused of witchcraft, and Woman of Ill Fame (Heyday Books, 2007), about a Gold Rush prostitute. She has also published two non-fiction books about Oakland history, and is a columnist for the Montclarion newspaper in Oakland. She is a graduate of the MFA program in poetry at the University of Arizona, Tucson. She has taught creative writing at the University of Arizona, the Tucson Open University, and others. Her first novel took her eight years to write and is unpublishable. She figured out how to outline, and wrote the first draft of her second novel in one month--and it's now in print.

Testimonials

Erika's example, encouragement, acuity, and good humor inspired every writer in our class and helped to keep us focused on our goal. Time and money well spent. -- Bradley Owens

"Erika is an insightful reader and is also able to bring her real-world experience to matters of craft and discussions about the business of writing. Any writer who takes Erika's class is in excellent hands." -- Drew Mayer

"Erika is a smart, savvy instructor. I've enjoyed her lectures, critiques, and support. I would sign up for any class she teaches." -- Portia Stewart

"Erika is an excellent instructor who provides helpful feedback in an engaging and fun manner. She knows how to motivate her students and is willing to share personal anecdotes when appropriate." -- Sandra Seligsohn

"Erika got me motivated to start the novel that had been in my head for years! By the end of the class, I was 150 pages into my book and had the rest outlined." -- Lian Dolan

"Erika is amazing! She breaks everything down into bite sized pieces and makes novel writing much less intimidating." -- Alexa Fitzpatrick

"Erika is a dedicated, knowledgeable, fun instructor. She gives solid feedback that really helped me shape my novel." -- Lynn Braz

"Erika was always thoughtful and thorough in the feedback she gave us on our writing." -- Sofia Perez

WHEN 8 weeks, Thursdays, January 14 - March 4, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) LEVEL General PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Good in Bed, The Shopaholic series, Bridget Jones's Diary, The Devil Wears Prada -- ever wonder why these books and others like them keep flying off the shelves? Women readers represent eighty percent of the fiction market -- and they are very loyal. If you have an original, intelligent and entertaining story to tell women but don't know where to begin, this class will get you on the right path.

Course Syllabus

Novel Writing: Chick Lit (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Saralee Rosenberg's Courses

Saralee Rosenberg is the author of four novels from Avon/HarperCollins including A Little Help From Above, Claire Voyant, Fate and Ms. Fortune, and Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead. She is at work on her latest novel, Beat It! Prior to writing fiction, Saralee co-authored several nonfiction books including the bestselling guide 50 Fabulous Places to Raise a Family. She has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV programs to promote her books including Oprah and CBS This Morning.

WHEN 6 weeks, January 19 - March 9 Online chats: Tuesdays, 8-9 pm EST WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intro PRICE $425 ($399 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

You have a great idea, and you've even imagined how the book will look when it's illustrated. But how do you actually go about writing a children's picture book? Part lecture, part workshop, this six-week course will take you through the process of outlining, writing, editing, and submitting a children's picture book. Through weekly writing assignments, you'll master essential craft elements including plotting, outlining, and crafting a narrative arc.

In this class you will learn:

By the end of this class you will have:
A completed picture book manuscript, along with a cover letter for sending it out

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro.com staff.

Course Syllabus

Children's Book Writing and Illustrating (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Creative Writing

Instructor Bio

Dashka Slater's Courses

Dashka Slater is the author of two three picture books: Baby Shoes, Firefighters in the Dark, and The Sea Serpent and Me.

Baby Shoes was named one of the best children's books of 2006 by both Booklist and Nick Jr. magazine, while The Sea Serpent and Me was a 2008 Junior Library Guild Selection and a 2009 Cybil Award Finalist. Slater's novel, The Wishing Box, was named one of the best books of the year by the Los Angeles Times, which called it "an impish novel, hopeful and full of humor." She is the recipient of a 2004 Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and has won many awards for her journalism, which appears in magazines ranging from The New York Times Magazine to Mother Jones. Her fourth picture book, Princess Amanita and the Nine Noses, will be released by Dial Books in the Spring of 2011.

Learn more at www.dashkaslater.com or by reading her children's book blog.

Testimonials

Dashka's class opened a creative outlet for me that I always wished I had explored. I really enjoyed reading my classmates' stories and sharing my personal experience. The comments and feedback throughout the class helped me more than you know! -- Heidi Boeckmann

"This class provided a wonderful entry into a writing group. Sharing thoughts and ideas with other writers, as well with our instructor, made me really feel like part of a community." -- Tara Gannon

"Dashka showed support to each student's work, pointed out what needed change, and made suggestions on how to make improvements. I was amazed with her insight into our manuscripts. As though she were doing a puzzle, she would fill in the missing pieces." -- Barbara Gold

"Dashka is fabulous and insightful. Her lessons are very well scaffolded and her comments and feedback guide us to a remarkable finished product." -- Hamu Yaropa

WHEN 12 weeks, Wednesdays, January 20 - April 7, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE New York (Soho) LEVEL Intermediate/Advanced PRICE $610 ($575 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

We live in the golden age of young adult literature, with young people buying books at the fastest rate in decades. YA novels are now respected as important money-makers at publishing houses, and they win honors such as the Printz, Newbery, and National Book Awards.

Why not try your hand at this exciting field? All you need is some coaching and a supportive environment to make that YA or middle grade novel happen. The goal of this class is to finish your YA or middle grade novel in 12 weeks. With serious work and attention to the class, you can do it. This class also features guest speakers (agents and editors from YA publishing houses).

In this class, you will learn:

• How to write a teen novel proposal that doesn't end up in the slush pile
• What topics are teen cliches, and how to stay away from them!
• Whether or not you need an agent, and, if so, how to get one
• How to get the clips (yes, you need clips!) to prove your skill to editors
• How to write for teens without condescending (they can smell patronizing a mile away!)

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete first draft of your YA or middle grade novel.

Students who have taken this class have published:
Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President (Simon & Schuster), Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa (Razarbill), Vidalia in Paris (Viking), Rock the Burbs (Random House), Brand New Emily (Tricycle Press), This is What I Want to Tell You (Flux) and sold 4-book deals to Penguin and 2-book deals to HarperCollins

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

Course Syllabus

Young Adult Novel Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Book & Mag Publishing

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Claudia Gabel's Courses

Claudia Gabel is a former editor of middle grade and YA fiction at Alloy Entertainment and Random House Children's Books. Her best known titles are the New York Times bestselling series Summer Boys by Hailey Abbott and the Scarlett Wakefield mystery collection by Lauren Henderson. She is also the author of the YA series In or Out (Scholastic/Point) and a forthcoming YA fantasy novel (HarperCollins Children's Books). She lives in New York City.

WHEN 10 weeks, January 20 - March 31 Chats Wednesdays, 8-9 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $599 ($575 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

So, you're ready to sell the Story of Your Life and turn your memories into memoir, but you're not quite sure where to go from here. You may have written several pages already. You will at least have a fairly clear idea of what sort of memoir you want to write. But perhaps you are asking yourself why anybody should care about reading your story.

Maybe you are wondering what will happen if you publish an honest account of your childhood. Will your parents sue you? And how easy is it to sell a memoir anyway if you're neither famous nor infamous? This class will answer these questions and provide a stimulating, supportive environment where you can workshop your memoir-in-progress and receive invaluable feedback.

This class is geared towards the writer who is ready to write a memoir but needs to learn how to tell it -- and sell it. Through weekly assignments and lectures you will learn how to turn your idea into a book deal and you will produce up to 50 pages of polished text as well as an outline for the rest of the book. You will also learn about craft, style and the development of your unique voice.

• To find your authentic voice and unlock your memories
• What the 'theme' of your story is
• To find the most effective structure for your story
• How to approach literary agents
• Why (and how) you can sell a memoir before you have finished writing it
• What happens once you've sold your memoir.

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.
  

Course Syllabus

Memoir Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Creative Writing

Instructor Bio

Wendy Dale's Courses

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 and 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, soon to be shopped to publishers.

WHEN Thursday, January 21, 6:30-10:30 pm WHERE Los Angeles, CA LEVEL Beginner PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

You have a great idea for a book -- but do you know how to start, finish, and sell it? Or have you already completed a manuscript, but find yourself stalled trying to get the attention of agents and publishers?

Whether you're at the idea stage or in the home stretch, this workshop will show you how to navigate the competitive world of book publishing and get your first project sold.

In this workshop, you'll learn:

• If your idea is salable and if not, how to change it
• How to approach an agent for representation and write a query
• What publishers and agents are really looking for
• The essentials of a rock-solid proposal and how to avoid common mistakes
• How publishing houses and literary agencies work in service of the author
• How authors interact with editors and agents and how they make money through advances, royalties, subsidiary rights, foreign rights, and dramatic rights

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Book & Mag Publishing

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Los Angeles, CA

Instructor Bio

Daniel Smetanka's Courses

Daniel Smetanka has worked in various aspects of the publishing industry for over fifteen years. He served as director of Maria B. Campbell Associates, an international scouting agency that targeted American authors for translation in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Daniel also acted as a publishing consultant to both Amblin/Dreamworks and The Kennedy/Marshall Company to identify material appropriate for feature film adaptation.

Most recently, he served as an executive editor at Ballantine/Random House, Inc., where he acquired and published a number of award winning debut books including The Ice Harvest by Scott Philips, The Speed of Light by Elizabeth Rosner, Down to a Soundless Sea by Thomas Steinbeck, Color by Victoria Finlay, Little Fugue by Robert Anderson, and Among the Missing by Dan Chaon, a 2001 finalist for the National Book Award. Daniel continues to edit on a freelance basis and currently lives in Los Angeles.

Testimonials

This was one of the most helpful, thorough classes I've ever taken. Dan's down-to-earth nature was refreshing, and he is master on the subject matter. The class flew by and we learned the basics, the specifics, and the tools for success. -- Saryn Chorney

"Daniel is a true insider and so generous with his experience. I now feel prepared to move ahead with my book project." -- Carmen Rosenzweig

"Dan was awesome! He had great personality, knew what he was talking about, and consistenty checked in with the class for comments and questions." -- Mcayla Sarno

"Dan is personable and very experienced in the world of publishing. He gives good and credible advice on how to approach agents for representation." -- Wes Hanson

"Dan provided invaluable guidance regarding the publishing process. I walked away feeling very satisfied and now have the proper tools for submitting my book for publication." -- Tiffany Craft

"Dan's presentation was exactly what I was looking for. He spoke with authority, humor, and passion which inspired me to run back to my keyboard and finish that first book." -- Abella Carroll

"Dan's crystal-clear and entertaining approach clears up any myths and misconceptions. I left his workshop renewed and inspired with an arsenal of basic tools for success." -- Judy Seckler

"Concise and professional, Dan covered a lot of general information and yet was also willing to tailor his advice to the individual needs of the students." -- Sheila Lane

"Dan is well seasoned in what he does and keeps up with the latest changes in his field. He is good at conveying what he's teaching in a way that we all could easily understand." -- Craig Copeland

"Since taking Dan's class, I feel much more informed and armed with the best information possible to start my career as a writer." -- Tiffiny Whitney

"Dan was informed and informative, intelligent, attentive, friendly, professional and above all incredibly helpful and useful on the subject of how to prepare a first book for publication." -- Lisa Lamb

"Dan delivers his subject matter with direct, uncompromising clarity. His objective is to empower his students with the information necessary to achieve success. I didn't miss a word." -- Steven King

"All my questions were answered by a thorough and caring instructor. Thanks to this course, I feel optimistic about finding an agent and selling my book." -- Shelly Hallman

"I defy you to find someone who communicates his knowledge and insight with the enthusiasm, wit, and sincere desire to empower new writers to succeed better than Dan." -- Bryan Hilson

WHEN 12 weeks, Thursdays, January 21 - April 8, 6:45-9:45 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $610 ($575 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

You want to write a novel. So what's the big deal? Well, it's a huge task to take on by yourself. It's hard to stick to self-imposed deadlines. And what's the actual writing process? Do you need an outline? What do you need to know about dialogue? How can you stop procrastinating?

Join a small group of fellow writers in your pursuit of a completed first draft, under the guidance of a novelist who knows what she's doing. You'll learn the lost art of craft, the power of the outline, when to leave well enough alone, and how to turn your pages into a page-turner. If you need an edge to write that novel and make it salable, this is the class for you.

In this class, you will learn:

• How to write a perfect outline and when to change it
• How to create strong characters
• How to create a tone and make it consistent throughout your novel
• The secret behind perfect dialogue
• How to discover the theme of your novel, and how to manifest that theme through the piece

By the end of class, you will have:
Approximately 80-100 pages of a draft of your novel.

Students who have taken this class have published:
Total Knockout: Tale of an Ex-Class President (Simon & Schuster), House and Home (Voice), and signed with the McIntosh and Otis agnecy

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a fiction writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

Course Syllabus

Novel Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Creative Writing

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Book & Mag Publishing

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Alison Pace's Courses

Alison Pace is the author of the novels If Andy Warhol had a Girlfriend, Pug Hill, Through Thick and Thin, and City Dog. Her essays have been included in several anthologies, including Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit, Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, and It's A Wonderful Lie: The Truth About Life in Your Twenties. Her writing also appears frequently in The Bark magazine, where she is a contributing editor. Alison lives in New York City where she teaches creative writing and is at work on her fifth novel.

Testimonials

Alison became a real mentor. She was supportive and intelligent and her experience with the publishing industry was very valuable. -- Lauren Tanick

"Alison went above and beyond in answering questions and offering her wisdom. She also had the right balance of direction and casual relaxation, allowing the class to be structured and organic at the same time." -- Barton Perez

"Alison is a fantastic teacher. By the end of her novel writing class I was only a few thousand words away from a finished first draft, and had drafted a synopsis and query letter." -- Lara Kristin Lentini

"Alison is professional and compassionate and creates the perfect environment for an aspiring novelist." -- Raymond Nadeau

"Alison is a really great instructor. She is very enthusiastic and willing to help her students. This class helped my writing and my ability to critique myself tremendously." -- Rebecca Jaycox

"Alison is fantastic! She provided great feedback on everyone's pieces that was not generic or formulaic, but instead thoughtful and constructive." -- Jackie Gerhardt

WHEN 2 weeks, January 21 - February 4 Chats Thursdays, 10-11 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intro PRICE $250 ($225 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Do you have a great idea for a book but don't know how to go about writing and getting it published? Maybe you've already written a book but you're stalled trying to get the attention of agents and publishers. Whether you're just starting to develop your project or have already written the entire manuscript, this class will give you the tools you need to get your book project sold, published, and on bookstore shelves.

By the end of class, you will have:
A proposal outline, a pitch, a query letter, and the resources you need to begin shopping your book to agents and editors.

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

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View all courses in

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Laura Mazer's Courses

Laura Mazer, a veteran book editor, has worked with a wide range of publishers including Avalon Publishing Group, Perseus Books Group, Counterpoint Press, and Random House. Previously, Laura edited Op-Ed columns for nationally published writers including Tony Snow, Molly Ivins, Arianna Huffington, and Hillary Clinton. She was a senior editor at Brill's Content magazine and the special
sections editor for the Los Angeles Times. A New York City transplant, she lives in Oakland, California, with her family.

Testimonials

Laura gave us tons of information and made me feel confident and encouraged. She really cares about writers and loves helping new people navigate the system so they can succeed. I got more than my money's worth -- and then some! -- Paige Hodges

"Laura's lectures and assignments built on one another to lay out a clear path to getting a book proposal ready. I came into the class expecting to get some ideas. Instead, I finished a working draft of my proposal and am further ahead in my project than I dreamed I would be." -- Michelle Howard

"I have been in publishing for 30 years and cannot remember meeting someone who was so extemporaneously creative with ideas as Laura." -- Howard Baldwin

"Laura is a fantastic instructor and voice of encouragement. I've never felt so hopeful about publishing." -- Jennifer Eggers

"Laura stands out for both her expertise and her presentation of the ins and outs of the industry." -- Kimberley Kwok

"Laura knows what she's talking about and will dish it with a no-nonsense, honest approach. As a result of this class, I will query better because she provided me with an understanding of how the business works." --Mary Kolesnikova

"Laura has an enormous amount of creativity and positive energy. Her you-can-do-this attitude toward getting published was gratifying and infectious." -- Neala Philpot

"Laura has wonderful insight and experience in publishing to share with students. I highly recommend this inspiring and encouraging course." -- Allie Brawley

"Laura was the kind of instructor we'd all like to have -- one that knows her subject cold and is thoughtful when she gives you an answer." -- Rich LeFurgy

"Laura was well-informed, enthusiastic, and personable. She gave us a great over-view of book publishing and we all gained broader insight into our own projects. Laura was a gem!" -- Merikay Mcleod

"Laura's style is lively and humorous as she navigates her students through the maze of getting their work published. I highly recommend this course to get yourself informed and moving on your project." -- Dr. Darlene A. Osowiec

"Laura presented solid material in an understandable way. She created a collegial environment in which we could get down to the business of learning to take our work to the next level." -- Beth Elliott

"By the end of class I knew that it was possible, I could do this and it wasn't a pipe dream. I left the class with more than hope. Laura handed me the how-to's." -- Heather Liston

"Laura was excellent! She was extremely entertaining, riveting, and very knowledgeable about her industry. I would definitely take another course with her. -- Nora Laherty

"Finally, a class with someone who knows the territory! I can't thank Laura enough for the valuable help this workshop provided me." -- Lynn A. Jacobson

WHEN 4 hours, Tuesday, January 26, 6:30-10:30 pm WHERE New York (Midtown East) LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $125 ($100 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

We all have strong feelings about our families, no matter how old we are. What better way to get to the root of those feelings -- and to the root of who we are -- than by writing about the people who know us most intimately?

In this workshop -- limited to 10 students -- get feedback on that essay about your mother you've always been meaning to write (but would never want her to see), or recapture the relationship you used to have with your brother, or explore how you've managed to recreate one of these earlier family relationships in your grown-up life. In addition to a close critique of each essay, students will learn how to deal with the problems inherent in writing about relatives, and discuss the basics of pitching and publishing personal essays so they can find the right venue for their work.

Instructor Paula Derrow is articles director at Self, and assigns and edits personal essays and features for the magazine. In this workshop your piece will be critiqued by the class and the instructor. Paula will also recommend venues for which the work is suitable. You'll learn how to edit yourself, what your work is missing, and where your essay would fit perfectly for publication.

Admission Requirements:
Please submit a brief letter of interest (including a brief work history) as well as a writing sample (less than 1,000 words).

Related Courses

• The Secrets of First-Person Writing (Video) – ONLINE

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Journalism

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Paula Derrow's Courses

Personal Essay Clinic: Advanced – New York

Personal Essay Clinic: Writing About Family – New York

Paula Derrow is the articles director of Self magazine, where she edits the "Self Expression" column as well as investigative, general-interest, and psychology features. She has more than 20 years of editing and writing experience at a variety of women's and general-interest magazines and Web sites, including Glamour, American Health, Harper's Bazaar, The New Yorker, and Lifetime Television for Women (lifetimetv.com). She is the editor of Behind the Bedroom Door: Getting It, Giving It, Loving It, Missing It (Delacorte) an anthology of essays by women about sex in real life.

Testimonials

Paula's course resulted in my being published in The New York Times' Modern Love column. Paula's suggestions inevitably 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 took Paula's workshop and was immediately impressed with her deceptively laid-back style. Her feedback was incisive and powerfully focused on the heart of each person's story. 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 NYTimes City Section and the My Word (person essay page) of 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

"Paula gives insightful, thorough feedback on your work. If you want to know how to improve your writing and better your chances of getting published, take her class. I highly recommend it." -- Rebecca Shalomoff

WHEN 12 weeks, January 26 - April 20 Online chats: Tuesdays, 9-10 pm EST WHERE Online. Click here for details. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $610 ($575 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Even experienced writers can balk at having to fill hundreds of pages with tens of thousands of words. In this class, you will learn how to manage the tricky process of writing a nonfiction book from an instructor who has overseen the development of nonfiction titles of all kinds, including commercial how-to books, sports, popular culture, history, creative nonfiction, personal essay, memoir, biography, and narrative nonfiction.

By the end of this class, you will have:
A working draft (75-100 pages), a full chapter outline, and a plan for the completion of your book.

Students who have taken this class have published:
The Creative Girl's Guide To Having It All: How to Brave the Odds and Make Your Way in a Creative Career (Perseus/Running Press), Something New: Wedding Etiquette for Rule Breakers, Traditionalists, and Everyone In Between (Simon Spotlight), and Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams (Ballantine), and Read My Hips (Harmony)

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history), and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.
  

Course Syllabus

Nonfiction Book Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Book & Mag Publishing

Instructor Bio

Leslie T. Sharpe's Courses

Leslie T. Sharpe is a writer, editor, and educator. She is the author of Editing Fact and Fiction: A Concise Guide to Book Editing, which has been regarded as a "modern editing classic" as well as the industry standard. Leslie started her editing career at Farrar, Straus & Giroux, and has been a senior editor, managing editor, and editorial consultant in book publishing, specializing in literary fiction and nonfiction.

She was a regular contributor to Newsday's "Urban 'I'" column, and her essays and articles, several of which have been anthologized, have also appeared in The New York Times, Village Voice, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, International Herald Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, Psychology Today, and Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine. She currently teaches nonfiction writing at Columbia University.

Testimonials

Leslie is an outstanding instructor and her experiences are invaluable. She goes the extra mile to provide timely, valuable feedback to her students. Her insights significantly improved my writing. -- Irene Thompson

"I thoroughly enjoyed the wealth of knowledge Leslie shared with us. This class is by far the best I have ever taken." -- Sarah Francis

"Leslie is a joy! She provides straightforward feedback and is always enthusiastic and supportive. Her insights have really helped me shape my writing. I would eagerly take any class she is teaching." -- Karen Kralios

"Leslie is a fantastic teacher, editor, and writer. I was amazed at her passion and knowledge for the craft and the personal effort she put into each student." -- Kevin Begos

"Leslie was the most inspirational teacher I've ever had. She brought out the best in me and my writing." -- Nirmala Punnusami

"Leslie's class has been a tremendous help in providing a roadmap for putting together a professional proposal to sell my book. Her experience and feedback have been invaluable in helping me to polish my writing." -- Irene Thompson

"Learning how to complete a book with Leslie is like learning how to host a talk show with Oprah. She is phenomenal. She's the kindest, most compassionate mentor I know. You'd be lucky to experience just how insanely good Leslie is at her craft." -- China Okasi

"Leslie is a gifted instructor, full of fresh ideas and enthusiasm. I truly looked forward to the lively, fun atmosphere of our class. One could not wish for a better writing instructor." -- Marjorie Backman

WHEN 8 weeks, January 26 - March 23 Chats Tuesdays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Readers --and editors -- love a good personal story. Why shouldn't that story be yours? Many magazines, newspapers, and web sites publish personal essays on a regular basis. And increasingly, book publishers are publishing anthologies of original essays. By writing personal essays, you can stretch your writing muscles, make sense of your present and past, and move readers. Best of all, you can make nice money and get great clips while doing it.

By the end of class, you will have:
At least two complete and publishable personal essays.

Students who have taken this class have been published in:
The New York Times, Modern Love, Christian Science Monitor, The Washington Post, Newsweek, Self, Runner's World, the San Francisco Chronicle, and more

• Your instructor's lectures are posted once a week: you can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience. Supplemental material—readings, examples, or handouts—may also be available.
• Students post completed assignments on the course bulletin board, where the class gives feedback. Students ask questions, share resources, and support each other, creating a conversation that continues all week.
• A regular chat time allows your class to converse as a group via instant message. Transcripts are available when you can't attend, or if you want to review the discussion.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

Course Syllabus

Personal Essay Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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Creative Writing

Instructor Bio

Pamela Kruger's Courses

Pamela Kruger is a writer, editor, and blogger whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Child, Fast Company, LifetimeTV.com, and The Huffington Post. She is the co-editor (with Jill Smolowe) of the much-praised anthology A Love Like No Other: Stories from Adoptive Parents, published by Penguin's Riverhead imprint. She also has contributed essays to several anthologies, including Searching for Mary Poppins,Blindsided by a Diaper, and the upcoming Unbuttoned: Women Open Up About the Pleasures, Pains, and Politics of Breastfeeding. Further details are available at her website, www.pamelakruger.com.

Testimonials

Simply put, Pam is phenomenal. Her course forced me to expand the way I think about my writing and helped me learn what really constitutes a finished essay. Her edits and insights help me tremendously. A month after the course ended, I sold my first piece. -- Jennifer Leckstrom

"Pam's class helped me turned the corner on my writing. Her focused criticism and honest analysis of strengths and weaknesses led to the publication of one of my essays. The way she drew the students together was just terrific." -- Catharine Cooper

WHEN 8 weeks, January 26 - March 23 Online chats Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Advanced PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook

Course Details

Readers and editors seem to love the personal essay -- so why is writing them sometimes such a challenge? How can we expand on the personal aspects to achieve something with a more universal meaning? And what can we do when the well seems to have run dry?

By the end of the course, you will have:
Five short pieces with notes on how to expand them into essays and at least one complete and salable personal essay

Students who have taken this class have been published in:
The New York Times, Modern Love, Christian Science Monitor, The Washington Post, Newsweek, Self, Runner's World, the San Francisco Chronicle, and more

Admission Requirements
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.

Course Syllabus

Personal Essay: Advanced (PDF) View a sample syllabus for this class here.

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View all courses in

Creative Writing

Instructor Bio

Maura Kelly's Courses

Maura Kelly has been a freelance writer since 2004 and currently writes a dating blog for Marie Claire. A former staff writer for Glamour, she has contributed to Slate, wrote a dating column for amNew York, went to Berlin on a fellowship from the International Center for Journalists, and just finished her first novel. Her personal essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New York Observer, Salon, Marie Claire, Glamour, Penthouse, New York Press, and the books Going Hungry and Before and After: Stories from New York.

Testimonials

Maura is funny, creative, lively, disarming, genuine, and sought to help us learn. She was prepared, took her material and student needs seriously, and provided honest, helpful insight. -- Bethany Blankley

"Maura really thought about each person's story and as a result, I became a better reader and felt I could apply my skills to future projects while writing." -- Ann Votaw

"Maura was funny, supportive, and extremely helpful. Getting 12 sets of eyes on my draft was invaluable and I feel confident as I go into the process of revising it." -- Elisabeth LaValle

"Maura was a terrific instructor. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and her critiques were razor sharp, getting right to the heart of our stories." -- Courtney Allison

"I really enjoyed Maura's class. It gave me some great ideas on how to improve my essay and writing in general." -- Jane King