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Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers 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.
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.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
This month's Grotto Night at the Library features a panel of writers of color writing about family and identity. The panel features members of the Grotto's Rooted & Written program, the USA’s first tuition-free professional creative writing conference for BIPOC writers: Swetha Amit, Chino Lee Chung, Alejandro Lazo, and Dera Williams. In addition, one of the Rooted & Written co-directors, Rowena Leong Singer, will moderate the discussion.
Wednesdays, April 30th - June 3rd | NEW DATES! What happens when we approach writing like an experiment? Our minds are open, our writing is deep, and there is no room for writer's block or cliché ideas. Burroughs used cut-up writing, Anaïs Nin made her diary her art, and now novels are being written in hybrid forms combining poetry, criticism, footnotes—you name it. Each week we will explore different experimental styles from surrealism to postmodernism to current hybrid experiments in poetic essay and hybrid nonfiction and fiction, with examples from writers like Chris Kraus, Maggie Nelson, and Terese Marie Mailhot. We will do exercises to loosen our minds and push us in new directions with our writing. There are weekly writing prompts and in-class exercises. This class is great for beginning writers or experienced writers wanting to push their writing in new directions.
FRIDAYS, May 2nd - 23rd | Unlock the Poet Within: Transforming Tradition is a four-week workshop designed to explore how contemporary poets of color have reinvented traditional poetic forms to voice modern issues and personal experiences. Participants will delve into various forms such as sonnets, villanelles, and free verse, examining how these structures have been adapted to discuss societal themes. The class features a blend of engaging discussions, hands-on writing exercises, and interactive workshops, all aimed at expanding participants' creative boundaries and enhancing their appreciation of poetry.
Participants will achieve the following by the end of the course:
Activities:
This workshop is ideal for anyone interested in poetry, especially those looking to deepen their understanding of how traditional poetic forms can serve as powerful tools for both personal expression and social commentary. Participants will leave with a broadened perspective on poetry and new skills to enhance their own writing.
Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers 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.
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.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
New Dates! Wednesdays, May 7th - June 11th | Do you have a short story that you don't know how to finish, or a piece of fiction that you think could be stronger, but you aren't sure how? This workshop is ideal for writers who have work in progress and are ready for feedback. Each week we will workshop two stories by students, paying attention to what stands out, and answering questions the authors have given in advance to guide our reading. We will supplement our workshop by reading and discussing published stories to deepen our understanding of the mechanics of fiction. If time allows, we we will try our hand at in-class writing prompts and share these exercises in class. By the end of the course, each student will have had the opportunity to receive feedback on their stories at least twice. All genres of fiction are welcome.
Telegraph Hill Books and the Grotto present Secret Blossoming: Where do you keep your joy?Join us for a reading with Swetha Amit, Anoop Judge, Sezin Devi Koehler, Dominic Lim and Lenore Weiss. Stories inspired by the warm fuzzies we keep under wraps. Emceed by Leslie Kirk Campbell. Come for the celebration. Stay for the snacks!
Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers 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.
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.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers 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.
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.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
MONDAYS, May 19th - June 30th* |Is it true or is it fiction – and does it matter? Often the lines between memoir and fiction can be blurry. And most of great literature has at least some elements of truth in it, from books that are largely autobiographical like Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior, Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, and Chris Kraus’s Aliens and Anorexia to fictional worlds like Raymond Carver’s and Denis Johnson’s that are drawn from a world that could only be created through personal experience. Lately the term autofiction has been used to describe works like Ocean Vuong, Marguerite Duras, Teju Cole and Annie Ernaux. Since Ernaux won the Nobel Prize in literature in 2022, the genre has been getting even more buzz. In this class we will talk about the debate over autofiction versus memoir. We will explore memories, experiences, and characters from our own lives and turn them into fictional stories, blending the richness of our emotional and felt experiences with elements from our imagination to create compelling writing.
We will have writing prompts, in-class exercises, and reading assignments of autofiction and semi-autobiographical fiction. This class is primarily a writing workshop, and your work will be discussed twice in the class. You will be expected to read and comment on classmates’ work.
*Note: There will be no class on Monday, May 26th (Memorial Day)
Wednesday, May 21st |Are you looking for a way to share your work with the world but have no idea where to start? Does the thought of reading your work in front of strangers terrify you? Are you a self published author looking for ways to promote your book? This class gives an overview of how to plan your perfect author event. In this class we will cover: How to plan your author event
This class is for writers of all levels, including unpublished writers.
The price of this class includes:
Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers 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.
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.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
TUESDAY, May 27th | SF Public Library's featured Grotto writers In May are Mark Wallace, T.K. Rex, and Doug Henderson discussing "Stories at Play." Notions of literature don't generally include tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons, but if there's one thing such games are good at, it's prompting creativity and generating stories. In this freewheeling discussion, three Grotto writers — who also happen to be tabletop roleplaying game players and designers — talk about the collaborative storytelling that happens in games, and how games can be used as writing prompts, as a generative practice, and even as tools of empowerment. And who knows, we may even roll some dice.
Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers 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.
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.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers 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.
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.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
Saturday, June 7th | Once there was a writer who had one chance to convince a publisher that they had written an amazing story. But all the publisher wanted to see was an elusive beast. “If you capture for me this rare creature, for the next eighteen months I will risk all that I hold dear as I invest my time and energy and reputation in you! Also, 200 of my employees will do the same! Now, show me the elusive beast!” Hello, STAKES.
Essentially, this long-shot fairy tale is what happens when you submit your novel for publication. And yet many writers don’t really understand what a publisher wants. Because (surprise) writing and storytelling are not the same beast. Writing gorgeous sentences is one animal. Telling a story with suspense and stakes is another. Great writers do both–and you can too. In this workshop you’ll examine and revise the beginning of your novel to help you blend beautiful prose and tight, consequential plot to create the highly-prized elusive beast of a novel that sells.
We’ll examine short excerpts of great novels, movies, children’s books, journalism, and personal anecdotes to level up your writing with relatable characterization, deep emotion, hair-raising conflict and tension, and big themes that will compel readers to keep reading. There will be brainstorming and writing to prompts, and you will learn some concrete strategies to whip your novel’s beginning into shape.
If possible, bring the first 5 pages of your novel in progress. Or bring an idea for a novel you want to write. This class is for all levels and genres.
Optional add-on: Receive written feedback on your query letter and the first five pages of your novel. Please purchase at time of registration for this class, and query letter and first five pages are both due within 30 days of class.
Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers 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.
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.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
Take some time for your writing this spring with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers 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.
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.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
Editing on consultation on nonfiction book manuscripts.
A dramaturgical script consultant can function in several ways. Depending on the project we function as a literary, historical, or artistic advisor as you are developing your script for the stage or screen.
Consultations can look multiple ways. For example, perhaps you just need 1-2 script meetings to discuss story evolution, character development or consistency in theme. Or perhaps you need someone to comment on what is working, what feels like it is missing, and a list of questions to support development. Or perhaps you want 4 -6 session of coaching, homework, and suggestions for how to strengthen, tighten, clarify in the service of moving your script forward.
Consultation fees are developed in conversation about the project (bespoke), and begin around 150.00- 200.00 an hour.
Doug Henderson offers two levels of developmental editing:
Full Developmental Edit for $12/page. This level provides writers with a comprehensive road map that will help them hone their manuscripts for publication. This includes:
-An initial conversation about the project (via Zoom).
-Extensive page notes, including editing suggestions, margin comments and questions.
-A thorough editorial letter discussing craft and structure elements — such as theme, tension, narrative and character arcs — as well as thoughtful suggestions to strengthen your story.
-A second conversation to discuss next steps.
Read-Through Evaluation for $8/page. This level is good for writers who want broader feedback, including new writers who want early advice, or more experienced writers who seek general input, but don’t need or want detailed editing. This includes:
-An initial conversation about the project.
-Light page notes.
-A thorough editorial letter discussing craft and structure elements — such as theme, tension, narrative and character arcs — as well as thoughtful suggestions to strengthen your story.
-A second conversation to discuss next steps.
Let’s chat about how your ideas fit into a basic story structure that will lead to an engaging narrative. Send me up to 2000 words of idea or story summary prior to meeting consult. Session will take place via Zoom.
Polish your writing with Carly Stern, an award-winning independent journalist. Carly offers one-on-one consultations on all forms of narrative non-fiction, with an emphasis on writing about the self. Her work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, the Guardian US and The Washington Post.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Polish your prose with New York Times best-selling author Julia Scheeres.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee.
Are you struggling to finalize a piece of science writing, whether it's an academic manuscript, article, or marketing blog? Need editorial help to make sure your message is clear and concise without losing accuracy? Jenny can help you improve your scientific content, using her unique combination of scientific and creative expertise.
Jenny Qi has a PhD in Cancer Biology from UC San Francisco and over a decade of experience in science communication spanning a range of industries, including biopharma, tech, and journalism.
This listing is for a 20-minute consultation to determine the scope of the project.
As an award-winning journalist, author, and consultant with decades of experience, I offer expert editorial consulting services at competitive rates. I write reports, policy briefs, articles, op-eds, blogs, and other materials for major national institutions and individual clients. As a veteran reporter, I also help writers develop and tell their stories for articles and book projects. First, we discuss your project and needs and how I can meet them, then I provide you with an estimate and we move forward with a simple straightforward contract. I look forward to talking with you, learning more about your project, and working together. Estimates are based on $100/hour fee. You can check out my work at www.christopherdcook.com.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Full-length poetry collections (45-80 pages in length).
Individual Poems up to 2 pages in length.
Folios consultation, up to 7 pages in length, with no more than 5 poems.
Chapbooks consultation (16-40 pages in length).
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
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!
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.
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.
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.