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Events & Classes for Writers

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7:00-8:30pm PT
Celebrating Our Students - A night of student works from January - June 2023
5:00-7:00pm PT
Reading + Meeting - November 17th, 2023
5:00-7:00pm PT
Reading + Meeting - September 22, 2023
5:00-7:00pm PT
Reading + Meeting - August 18th, 2023
5:00-7:00pm PT
Reading + Meeting - July 21st, 2023
5:00-7:00pm PT
Reading + Meeting - June 23rd, 2023
5:00-7:00pm PT
Reading + Meeting May 19th
1:00-2:00pm PT
Write your Awesome First 5 Pages with Lisa Lerner
5:00-7:00pm PT
Reading + Meeting and New Member Welcome
6:00-7:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Monday, June 26th with Jenny Qi
6:00-7:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Monday, June 19th with Jenny Qi
11:00am-12:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Wednesday, June 14th with Douglas Henderson
11:00am-12:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Saturday, June 10th with Douglas Henderson
12:00-1:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Tuesday, May 30th, with Sabina Khan-Ibarra
12:00-1:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Tuesday, May 23rd, with Sabina Khan-Ibarra
12:00-1:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Tuesday, May 16th, with Sabina Khan-Ibarra
11:00am-12:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Saturday, May 13th with Douglas Henderson
12:00-1:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Monday, May 1st with Lisa Lerner
12:00-1:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Monday, April 24th with Lisa Lerner
12:30-1:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Tuesday, April 18th with Laurie Ann Doyle
7:00-8:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Wednesday, April 12th with Laurie Ann Doyle
6:00-7:00pm PT
Spring Write-Ins: Wednesday, April 5th with Jenny Bitner
6:00-8:00pm PT
Story Craft: The Elements of Fiction with Doug Henderson
1:00-4:00pm PT
Cracking the Code: Successful Strategies for Revising and Publishing Your Story or Memoir Piece with Laurie Ann Doyle
5:00-6:30pm PT
Use AI to Improve Your Writing with Laird Harrison
6:00-8:00pm PT
Writing The Unconscious with Jenny Bitner
6:00-8:00pm PT
Write Short Stories Like the Masters with Jenny Bitner April 11th, 2023
6:00-8:00pm PT
Join the Bay Area Literary Community with Leigh Lucas
6:00-7:30pm PT
Grotto Nights with San Francisco Public Library - Virtual Event March 7th
2:00 - 4:30pm PT
Refresh and Reset Your 2023 Writing with Elizabeth Forsyth
2:00-4:00pm PT
DIY Author Events with Elizabeth Forsyth May 23rd, 2023
5:00pm PT
Salesforce Park Poetry Series, March 2nd
5:00pm PT
Salesforce Park Poetry Series, Feb. 16th
7:00-8:00pm PT
Spring Classes Virtual Open House
10:00am-1:00pm PT
The Secrets of Publishing
5:00pm PT
Salesforce Park Poetry Series, Feb. 2nd
6:00-8:00pm PT
Talk to Me: Writing the Personal Essay with Audrey Ferber
1:00-4:00pm PT
Playing with Words & Images with Susan Ito and Leah Korican
3:00-5:00pm PT
Work-In-Progress Workshop with Lindsey Crittenden
12:00-1:00pm PT
How to Write Nonfiction Picture Books with Lisa Lerner - Section II
12:00-1:00pm PT
How to Write Nonfiction Picture Books with Lisa Lerner - Section I
5:00-7:00pm PT
Reading and Meeting Feb. 17th, 2023
2:00 - 5:00pm PT
Artist Reception with Leah Korican - Normalize the Incredible
6:00-7:30pm PT
Grotto Nights with San Francisco Public Library - Virtual Event Feb. 7th
6:00-7:30pm PT
Grotto Nights with San Francisco Public Library - Virtual Event
6:00-7:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: March 27th, 2023 with Jenny Qi
12 noon - 1:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: March 22nd, 2023 with Laird Harrison
6:00-7:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: March 13th, 2023 with Jenny Qi
12 noon - 1:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: March 8th, 2023 with Doug Henderson
6:00-7:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: Feb. 27th, 2023 with Jenny Qi
12 noon - 1:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: Feb. 21st, 2023 with Lisa Lerner
6:00-7:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: Feb. 15th, 2023 with Maw Shein Win
6:00-7:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: Feb. 8th, 2023 with Rita Chang-Eppig
6:00-7:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: Feb. 1st, 2023 with Rita Chang-Eppig
6:00-7:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: Jan. 25th, 2023 with Rita Chang-Eppig
6:00-7:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: Jan 18th, 2023 with Maw Shein Win
12 noon - 1:00pm PT
Winter Write-In: Jan. 10th, 2023 with Lisa Lerner
12 noon - 1pm PT
Winter Write-In: Jan. 3rd, 2023 with Lisa Lerner
2:00-4:30pm PT
Jumpstart Your Writing for 2023 with Elizabeth Forsyth
6:00-8:00pm PT
Autofiction: Combining Memoir and Fiction with Jenny Bitner
10:00am - 12 noon PT
Flash Fiction: Little Stories with a Big Kick with Jenny Bitner
9:00-11:00am PT
How To Write A Children's Book With Lisa Lerner
4:00-5:00pm PT
Creative Writing for Kids with Lisa Lerner
4:00-5:00pm PT
Drop In College Help with Lisa Lerner Dec. 27th
4:00-5:00pm PT
Drop In College Help with Lisa Lerner Dec. 20th
4:00-5:00pm PT
Drop In College Help with Lisa Lerner Dec. 13th
4:00-5:00pm PT
Drop In College Help with Lisa Lerner Nov 29th
4:00-5:00pm PT
Drop In College Help with Lisa Lerner Nov. 22nd
4:00-5:00pm PT
Drop In College Help with Lisa Lerner Nov. 15th
5:00-7:00pm PT
Reading and Meeting, November 18th 2022
6:00-7:00pm PT
Write-In with Audrey Ferber
6:30-8:30pm PT
Write Short Stories Like the Masters with Jenny Bitner
6:30-8:30pm PT
Write Short Stories Like the Masters with Jenny Bitner
10:00am-12:00pm PT
Autofiction: Kinda True Stories with Jenny Bitner
12:00-1:00pm PT
Write-In with Sarita Sarvate
12:00-1:00pm PT
Write-In with Sarita Sarvate
12:00-1:00pm PT
Write-In with Lisa Lerner
12:00-1:00pm PT
Write-In with Sarita Sarvate
12:00-1:00pm PT
Write-In with Lisa Lerner
11:00am-12:00pm PT
Write-In with Doug Henderson
12:00-1:00pm PT
Write-In with Lisa Lerner
8:00am-9:00am PT
Write-In with Lisa Lerner
3:00-4:30pm PT
Imagery Intensive with Lindsey Crittenden
6:00-7:00pm PT
Write-In with Sabina Khan-ibarra
6:00-7:00pm PT
Write-In with Audrey Ferber
12:00-1:00pm PT
Write-In with Lisa Lerner
10:30am-4:30pm PT
What We Talk About When We Talk About Stealing, with Lindsey Crittenden
8:00-9:00am PT
Write-In with Lisa Lerner
3:00-4:30pm PT
Imagery Intensive with Lindsey Crittenden
6:30-8:30pm PT
Write Short Stories Like the Masters with Jenny Bitner
5:00-7:00pm PT
Adoption, Kinship & Family: A Writing Workshop with Susan Ito
6:30-8:30pm PT
Write Short Stories Like the Masters with Jenny Bitner
6:30-8:30pm PT
Write Short Stories Like the Masters with Jenny Bitner
6:30-8:30pm PT
Write Short Stories Like the Masters with Jenny Bitner
1:30-4:30pm PT
What We Talk About When We Talk About Stealing, with Lindsey Crittenden
5:00-7:00pm PT
Adoption, Kinship & Family: A Writing Workshop with Susan Ito
5:00-7:00pm PT
Adoption, Kinship & Family: A Writing Workshop with Susan Ito
5:00-7:00pm PT
Adoption, Kinship & Family: A Writing Workshop with Susan Ito
5:00-7:00pm PT
Adoption, Kinship & Family: A Writing Workshop with Susan Ito
6:00-8:30pm PT
Start from Scratch: Write a Story in 6 Weeks with Lindsey Crittenden

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Spring Write-Ins: Saturday, June 10th, from 11am - 12pm with Douglas Henderson

Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual write-ins hosted by the Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students. Choose one or more of the sessions below, or purchase a season pass, and show up for generative exercises designed to help instill confidence in your writing, shift your focus and get you out of a rut, document the emotions and experience of challenging times, and more. Writing prompts, craft tips, timed exercises, accountability—you’ll encounter any or all of these as you write in community with your fellow narrative artists and learn from our writers about what has worked for them. Finish a story you’ve started or free-write your way to something new. Find inspiration and energy writing in virtual community! Write-ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a write-in that works best for their schedule. All class times listed are in Pacific Standard Time. To learn more about the particular write-in you’re interested in, please select that session’s ‘show details’ in the details section. For questions regarding the season pass, please contact Classes@WritersGrotto.org.

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Dates:
Saturday, June 10th, from 11am - 12pm
Fee:
$
25 or $99 for season pass
Tags:
Write-In
,
Online
,
Creativity
Fiction
Kids & Teens
Journalism
Non-Fiction
Register Now
Spring Write-Ins: Wednesday, June 14th, from 11am - 12pm with Douglas Henderson

Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual write-ins hosted by the Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students. Choose one or more of the sessions below, or purchase a season pass, and show up for generative exercises designed to help instill confidence in your writing, shift your focus and get you out of a rut, document the emotions and experience of challenging times, and more. Writing prompts, craft tips, timed exercises, accountability—you’ll encounter any or all of these as you write in community with your fellow narrative artists and learn from our writers about what has worked for them. Finish a story you’ve started or free-write your way to something new. Find inspiration and energy writing in virtual community! Write-ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a write-in that works best for their schedule. All class times listed are in Pacific Standard Time. To learn more about the particular write-in you’re interested in, please select that session’s ‘show details’ in the details section. For questions regarding the season pass, please contact Classes@WritersGrotto.org.

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Dates:
Wednesday, June 14th, from 11am - 12pm
Fee:
$
25 or $99 for season pass
Tags:
Write-In
,
Online
,
Creativity
Fiction
Kids & Teens
Journalism
Non-Fiction
Register Now
Spring Write-Ins: Monday, June 19th, from 6 - 7pm with Jenny Qi

Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual write-ins hosted by the Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students. Choose one or more of the sessions below, or purchase a season pass, and show up for generative exercises designed to help instill confidence in your writing, shift your focus and get you out of a rut, document the emotions and experience of challenging times, and more. Writing prompts, craft tips, timed exercises, accountability—you’ll encounter any or all of these as you write in community with your fellow narrative artists and learn from our writers about what has worked for them. Finish a story you’ve started or free-write your way to something new. Find inspiration and energy writing in virtual community! Write-ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a write-in that works best for their schedule. All class times listed are in Pacific Standard Time. To learn more about the particular write-in you’re interested in, please select that session’s ‘show details’ in the details section. For questions regarding the season pass, please contact Classes@WritersGrotto.org.

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Dates:
Monday, June 19th, from 6 - 7pm
Fee:
$
25 or $99 for season pass
Tags:
Write-In
,
Online
,
Creativity
Fiction
Kids & Teens
Journalism
Non-Fiction
Register Now
Refresh and Reset Your 2023 Writing with Elizabeth Forsyth

Check in on your 2023 writing goals and amp up your writing with this fun-filled rapid-fire writing prompt session. In this class we’ll: briefly discuss ways to combat your writer’s block, respond to 10-12 writing prompts, and check-in & reset your 2023 writing goals. This class is for writers of all levels and genres.

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Dates:
Sunday, June 25th from 2:00 - 4:30pm PT
Fee:
$
75
Tags:
Class
,
In-Person
,
Creativity
Fiction
Memoir
Non-Fiction
Register Now
Spring Write-Ins: Monday, June 26th, from 6 - 7pm with Jenny Qi

Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual write-ins hosted by the Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students. Choose one or more of the sessions below, or purchase a season pass, and show up for generative exercises designed to help instill confidence in your writing, shift your focus and get you out of a rut, document the emotions and experience of challenging times, and more. Writing prompts, craft tips, timed exercises, accountability—you’ll encounter any or all of these as you write in community with your fellow narrative artists and learn from our writers about what has worked for them. Finish a story you’ve started or free-write your way to something new. Find inspiration and energy writing in virtual community! Write-ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a write-in that works best for their schedule. All class times listed are in Pacific Standard Time. To learn more about the particular write-in you’re interested in, please select that session’s ‘show details’ in the details section. For questions regarding the season pass, please contact Classes@WritersGrotto.org.

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Dates:
Monday, June 26th, from 6 - 7pm
Fee:
$
25 or $99 for season pass
Tags:
Write-In
,
Online
,
Creativity
Fiction
Kids & Teens
Journalism
Non-Fiction
Register Now
Celebrating Our Students - A night of student works from January - June 2023

Join The Writers Grotto as we celebrate our Winter and Spring 2023 student writing! All students who attended classes and write-ins between January and June 2023 are welcome to read for three minutes. Students must register by 6/23 to read; if you are a Winter or Spring 2023 student, please register under 'Alumni Admission'. Please note that there is a limited number of reading slots available to students. Friends and family are encouraged to attend.

Light refreshments will be provided. There will be plenty of street parking available.

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Dates:
Thursday, June 29th, from 7:00-8:30pm PT
Fee:
$
Free
Tags:
Event
,
In-Person
,
Creativity
Memoir
Fiction
Journalism
Non-Fiction
Register Now
Writing Coaching and Editing with Maw Shein Win - Bespoke Consultation

Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Maw is a writing coach and editor for poets. Maw has many years of experience as an educator, author, and editor. She teaches in the MFA Program at the University of San Francisco and is the inaugural poet laureate of El Cerrito, CA. You can learn more about her at mawsheinwin.com.

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Dates:
Fee:
$
Initial consultation for bespoke services
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Poetry
Creativity
Register Now
Magazine Pitch Feedback with Katia Savchuk - Bespoke Consultation

Initial bespoke services consultation by email to determine the fee. Katia will draw on her expertise as an award-winning longform journalist to provide written feedback on magazine pitches. Katia has written for The New Yorker,  Forbes, Mother Jones, Marie Claire, The Atavist Magazine and many other publications.

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Dates:
Fee:
$
Initial consultation for bespoke services
Tags:
Writing Services
,
,
Non-Fiction
Register Now
Hypnotic Coaching with Jenny Bitner

Unleash your writing potential with Jenny Bitner. As a trained hypnotherapist, coach, and writing teacher, she'll help you overcome fear and tap into your creativity. Experience a transformative hypnotic session to release barriers and claim your full potential as a writer. Take the first step today.

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Dates:
Fee:
$
150
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Creativity
Fiction
Memoir
Non-Fiction
Register Now
Three-Session Creativity Boost with Jenny Bitner

In this three-session package of Creativity Hypnosis, experienced hypnotherapist and writing coach Jenny Bitner will help you delve into the depths of your subconscious mind to awaken your imagination and overcome creative blocks. This can be customized to deal with whatever issues around writing you are experiencing. Start this journey today!

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Dates:
Fee:
$
400
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Creativity
Fiction
Memoir
Non-Fiction
Register Now
How to Write a Children's Book with Lisa Lerner

Got an idea for a children’s book? As the brilliant Madeleine L'Engle said, "You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grownups, then you write it for children.” In this 30-minute private Zoom consult, Lisa will give feedback on your idea to help you realize your vision and elevate your story to reach multiple audiences in today’s market. And if you don’t know what “multiple audiences” means in the kid-lit genre, that’s okay; she will tell you! Lisa’s YA crossover novel JUST LIKE BEAUTY was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and is in pre-production as a movie. She has decades of experience writing children’s books for major publishers and regularly teaches workshops to kids and adults who want to write for kids. In her free time, she enjoys petting rabbits and eating cake. Curious cats can find out more at www.lisalerner.com

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Dates:
Fee:
$
25
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Creativity
Fiction
Kids & Teens
Register Now
Chapbook Consultation with Preeti Vangani

Chapbooks consultation (16-40 pages in length).

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Dates:
Fee:
$
250
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Poetry
Register Now
Folio Consultation with Preeti Vangani

Folios consultation, up to 7 pages in length, with no more than 5 poems.

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Dates:
Fee:
$
55
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Poetry
Register Now
Individual Poem Consultation with Preeti Vangani

Individual Poems up to 2 pages in length.

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Dates:
Fee:
$
25
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Poetry
Register Now
Full-Length Poetry Collection Consultation with Preeti Vangani

Full-length poetry collections (45-80 pages in length).

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Dates:
Fee:
$
400
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Poetry
Register Now
Improve Your Writing with Laird Harrison - Bespoke Consultation

Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Laird Harrison will work with you one-on-one to improve your written communication. Laird has experience with both creative and business writing and can assist with all levels of writing.

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Dates:
Fee:
$
Initial consultation for bespoke services
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Journalism
Creativity
Career Skills
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Register Now
Novel Feedback with Laird Harrison - Bespoke Consultation

Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Laird Harrison, author of the novel Fallen Lake, provides editing and consultation services on all aspects of novel writing.

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Dates:
Fee:
$
Initial consultation for bespoke services
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Creativity
Fiction
Register Now
Reading + Meeting - June 23rd, 2023

Reading and Meeting with fabulous authors Shanthi Sekaran, Jenny Bitner, Rachel Chalmers and  Terry Tierney. Emceed by Sabina Khan-Ibarra. Please come out, hear their latest work, gain insight through an informal discussion and enjoy happy hour afterwards!

Event to take place on the Mezzanine level.

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Dates:
June 23rd, 2023, from 5 - 7pm PST
Fee:
$
10 suggested donation
Tags:
Event
,
In-Person
,
No items found.
Register Now
Reading + Meeting - July 21st, 2023

Join The Writers Grotto for an evening of reading and meeting! Readers to be announced shortly. All are welcome.

Event to take place on the Mezzanine level.

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Dates:
July 21st 2023, from 5 - 7pm PST
Fee:
$
10 suggested donation
Tags:
Event
,
In-Person
,
No items found.
Register Now
Reading + Meeting - August 18th, 2023

Join The Writers Grotto for an evening of reading and meeting! Readers to be announced shortly. All are welcome.

Event to take place on the Mezzanine level.

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Dates:
August 18th, 2023, from 5 - 7pm PST
Fee:
$
10 suggested donation
Tags:
Event
,
In-Person
,
No items found.
Register Now
Reading + Meeting - September 22nd, 2023

Join The Writers Grotto for an evening of reading and meeting! Readers to be announced shortly. All are welcome.

Event to take place on the Mezzanine level.

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Dates:
September 22nd, 2023, from 5 - 7pm PST
Fee:
$
10 suggested donation
Tags:
Event
,
In-Person
,
No items found.
Register Now
Reading + Meeting - November 17th, 2023

Join The Writers Grotto for an evening of reading and meeting! Readers to be announced shortly. All are welcome.

Event to take place on the Mezzanine level.

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Dates:
November 17th, 2023, from 5 - 7pm PST
Fee:
$
10 suggested donation
Tags:
Event
,
In-Person
,
No items found.
Register Now
Building Complete Novels and Short Stories with Thaisa Frank - Bespoke Consultation

We will build your fictional work in a collaborative process for as long as it takes to create a whole and satisfying story. Thaisa Frank, a Pushcart Fellow, has published a novel and three collection of short stories. Her original approach, developed through teaching, addresses fiction from all cultures.

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Dates:
Fee:
$
Initial consultation for bespoke services
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Fiction
Creativity
Register Now
FIlm Consultation with David Munro

Industry veteran writer-director-producer provides consulting for documentary and narrative film projects of any length and at any stage, from concept to pitch deck to rough cut to screenplay draft. Production services also available through Bay Area-based The Unscripted Company.

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Dates:
Fee:
$
Initial consultation for bespoke services
Tags:
Writing Services
,
Online
,
Screenwriting
Creativity
Register Now
Learn Theater Techniques to Write Your Novel for Kids: a Hands-On Workshop with Maxine Rose Schur

Tickled by the thought of writing a novel for kids? If so, this is the workshop for you! You'll learn practical tips and techniques from the world of theater to ensure you've got a compelling story, a protagonist readers care about, believable characters and dialogue that creates suspense and moves the plot forward. And, you’ll get personalized guidance to craft your story closer to these goals.

This 5-week course is designed to provide personalized guidance for participants to best find and express their stories for young people. In hands-on exercises, we will define what story is (as opposed to plot) and learn to recognize when we have a good story. We will focus on using theater techiques to develop strong, believable characters and suspenseful pacing. We'll explore how to find your authentic voice, determine when to use dialogue and when to use narrative as well as the elements of good dialogue. Lastly, we'll discuss the process of revision with the understanding that the word revision means just that—to see again for offten it is in revision we can find the true meaning of our story.

Participants are invited to come with either a novel for kids or a manuscript or a partial manuscript (even one chapter is fine) or a synopsis or simply an idea for a book. No matter the progress so far, the focus will be on understanding “where you need to go from here.” This is a session to help you move closer to having a publishable manuscript.
The workshop will consist of a mixture of lecture, discussion, readings, supportive critiques and hands-on exercises and individualized, personal counsel.

Goals of the Course
At the conclusion of this course, participants should be able to:
1. Define what constitutes a middle-grade vs. a YA story
2. Know the difference between outlining and “pantsing”
3. See the importance of book and chapter structure to reader emotion
4. Visualize scenes before writing them and discover techniques to do so
5. Bring forth their own authentic voice for the project
6. Understand and use the power of sensory description
7. Know the techniques to pace a story
8. Understand when to use narrative and when to create a scene with dialogue
9. Understand the importance of each character having an objective
10. Gain tips to heighten suspense in plot and tension in dialogue
11. Uncover the meaning that stretches beyond their story
12. Learn the goals revision must accomplish
13. Improve their story through draft revision
14. Learn about both the trade and the educational publishing market

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Dates:
Fee:
$
525
Tags:
Class
,
In-Person
,
Creativity
Kids & Teens
Fiction
Register Now
Improve Your Writing with AI with Laird Harrison - August 2023

You’ve seen the news about new AI programs that can write rap lyrics or college essays — even mourn lost socks in the style of the King James Bible. Some of these riffs are wildly entertaining. These programs can correct grammar, eliminate unnecessary words, and suggest examples. They can even inject a little humor into your prose. On the flip side, AI programs can't tell fact from fiction, and over reliance on these programs can take the creativity out of your writing. In this two-session class, you’ll learn how you can work with some of the most widely used programs on writing projects including articles, email, memos, advertising copy, essays and even short stories. You’ll come away equipped to avoid plagiarism, “AI hallucination” and misinformation.

In the first 90-minute session, we will discuss the history of AI as applied to writing, and touch on the science behind it, learning its strengths and weaknesses. We will compare programs and their capabilities. Then we will undertake a series of experiments in real time. You will leave with specific writing assignments tailored to your objectives.In the second 90-minute session, we will work with the texts produced by the AI programs, seeking to further improve them both with other software and with human skill. You will develop a practical plan for using this technology and guarding against its abuse.

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Dates:
Wednesdays, August 9th & 16th, from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM PT
Fee:
$
130
Tags:
Class
,
Online
,
Creativity
Career Skills
Fiction
Journalism
Memoir
Register Now
We currently don't have any upcoming classes or events that match your criteria.
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