Workshops

Explore the Frontier of Literary Journalism
Explore the literary journalism forms and techniques used to make creative non-fiction stories read like novels. You'll recognize how techniques such as reporting and research methods, voice and structure, realism, scene-by-scene construction, dialogue, setting and plot, can make your creative non-fiction writing come alive, capture your reader's attention and hold their interest to the last page. With in-class discussion and hands-on writing exercises, you'll experiment with exposition and pace, sequencing, using the voice of the narrator, and how to accurately depict everyday gestures, habits and customs traditionally found in literary narrative. Appropriate for all levels of writing.

Get Published, Get Paid as a Freelance Writer
Whether you’re a new or established writer, take what you already know and turn it into a successful freelance career. This interactive lecture/workshop will help you gain insights into how to ferret out markets, write compelling query letters, conduct interviews, wow editors and get paid. Gain new perspective and enthusiasm to enhance your vision to become a successful freelance writer. But take note: This is not a theory class, but a hands-on, realistic approach to earning money as a freelance writer. Open to beginning, intermediate and advance writers.

The Art and Craft of Feature Writing
Learn advanced writing techniques used in feature articles at national newspapers and magazines. Generate a marketable story ideas is a lot harder than it sounds. Most writers struggle to find that one unique story angle that will engage readers. They forget the basic tenets of strong feature writing: inform and entertain. Research, on the other hand, is often the last thing a feature writer thinks about, but it can make the difference between an average story and a great story. Details can be dangerous if handled poorly. Writers who take detail-collecting seriously are sometimes undiscerning in selecting the right ones for the story. And lastly, yes it’s possible to write accurate non-fiction with techniques usually associated with novels and short stories. It helps excite readers both intellectually and emotionally. This is not a theory class, but a hands-on, realistic approach to learning how to write like a pro. Open to beginning, intermediate and advance writers.

Get Paid to Write for the Web
If you’ve ever thought about writing for Websites or online magazines, here’s your chance to get up to speed. The market is booming, and writers who scramble now to take advantage of the creative and commercial possibilities of this digital bonanza will stay busy with work for years to come. This lecture/workshop will help you gain insights into how to write a compelling electronic query, target the appropriate Website, write online text using interactive storytelling and writing techniques, and think interactively.

Note: This lecture/workshop is not about technology (although it will cover the basics). It’s about writing and communicating creatively in the era of new electronic media. Open to beginning, intermediate and advance writers.

Turn that Novel Collecting Dust into a Best Seller
Got a manuscript collecting dust? Print-on-demand publishers convert an author’s manuscript to electronic format, create a cover, and then list the book with online booksellers like Amazon.com and barnsandnoble.com. Print-on-demand buys you basic publishing services, then provide traffic and fulfill all book orders while calculating and issuing royalties. This is not a theory class, but a hands-on, realistic approach to moving your manuscript from the scrap-heap to published book. Open to beginning, intermediate and advance writers.

Strengthen Your Business Writing Skills
Prepare yourself for that critical communications role by attending this five-week workshop, designed specifically for those individuals who not only write and edit many types of documents in different media, but also sometimes manage communication projects.Employees who need strong writing skills essential to job performance and productivity will find this course invaluable and immediately useful. You will learn proven techniques that will enable you to write with greater ease, proficiency, and clarity. With in-class discussion and hands-on writing exercises, you'll experiment with many aspects of business writing, including copy writing, editing, marketing, speech writing, and correct punctuation and procedures for generating effective emails, memos, letters, and reports. Each class combines instruction, in-class exercises, and critiquing sessions in a healthy and respectful environment. Appropriate for all levels of writing.

From Creation to Delivery: Effective Business Presentations
Gain poise and confidence in your presentation skills. This five-week workshop is designed specifically for those individuals in the corporate world who often make Power Point presentations to diverse audiences. Gain insights into such practical issues as how to consider the audience, how to write a speech that’s clear and precise, how to guarantee that your intended message gets conveyed, and how to feel as comfortable presenting to a group as you are talking to a friend in the office. Each class combines instruction, in-class exercises, and critiquing sessions in a healthy and respectful environment. Appropriate for business professionals with intermediate, high, or even advanced English skills.

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