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BETTER, SHORTER, SHARPER

A Personal Essay Workshop

The aim of this class is to help writers create crisp, concise essays, targeted toward readers and editors of literary magazines and high-profile digital publications. Writers don’t want to waste readers’ time, and this class won’t waste writers’ time.

This class will offer practical advice for conceiving and crafting personal essays. It will cover a variety of subjects, from topic selection to time-saving editing techniques to establishing clear parameters, in order to help writers craft better, sharper essays.

Common concerns about the subject matter of personal essays, how to tackle hybrid essays, and how to make ethical cuts and omissions will be all addressed. Attendees will also learn structural tricks to help spin dramatic tension from everyday events, as well as simple coping strategies for pushing through blocks.

+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur online, using the video meeting platform Zoom, which means students may participate from the comfort of their own homes (or anywhere with a reliable, fast internet connection). Students will not be required to create a Zoom account to participate, however it will be necessary to download the software, and students are strongly advised to do so in advance of the first class. On Wednesday, May 27, from 5:00pm to 6:00pm, MWPA’s Hannah Perry will offer a one-hour remote test session. Students with little experience using Zoom are strongly encouraged to participate in the test session, which usually takes only 5-10 minutes, and those who do not are responsible for setup and installation on their own. Early in the week of the workshop, students will be emailed links that they may click to enter the class and test session.

+ REQUIRED EQUIPMENT A reliable, fast internet connection (broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE), speakers & a microphone (built-in or USB plug-in), and a webcam (built-in or USB plug-in).

If you would like to quickly and easily test your internet connection and your computer’s compatibility with Zoom, click HERE. Full details on supported Operating Systems, internet browsers, and more can be found HERE. To download and familiarize yourself with Zoom, click HERE.


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Ryan Britt is a writer of fiction and non-fiction. His first book, the essay collection Luke Skywalker Can’t Read was published by Plume (Penguin Random House) in 2015 and was praised by Vanity FairPaste, and many others. Ryan’s writing has been published in the New York Times, VICE, Tor.com, CNN Style, The Morning News, and numerous online outlets. Ryan was a senior editor at Inverse and is currently a contributor to Fatherly. He has taught writing courses for over seven years at Gotham Writers’ Workshop, Sackett Street Writers’ Workshop, and Catapult. He is represented by The Fischer-Harbage Agency and lives with his wife and daughter.


ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via PayPal. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.

PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel.

QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact Hannah Perry at hannah@mainewriters.org.

REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.

REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information.

SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one full scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due on May 18 at 9:00 a.m.
→ MORE INFORMATION

MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions.

Earlier Event: May 28
2020 Awards Ceremony
Later Event: May 30
ASK AN AGENT