This workshop is FULL. To be added to the waitlist, please email Meghan at programs@mainewriters.org
A 10 Week ONLINE Creative Nonfiction Workshop
Thursdays, October 5th-December 14th
ALL LEVELS
Maybe you’ve always wanted to excavate your family’s immigration story or to place your memoir in its historical context. Perhaps you’ve dreamed of a career as a food or travel writer. Probably, you are already committed to writing essays and articles that will change the world—and inspire an ethic of care in your readers. There has never been a better time to do just that.
Creative nonfiction is currently experiencing a renaissance: whether it’s first-person essays exploring identity politics, deep dive investigations, or genre pieces treating everything from mindfulness to true crime, readers are clamoring for narrative journalism and research-based essays. In this master class, participants will explore emerging trends and best practices in the field of commercial publishing while honing their own skills as nonfiction writers.
Over the ten-week session, students will have the opportunity to read and discuss contemporary works of nonfiction, engage in research and workshops, and practice pitching their work. The class will begin by exploring structure and voice via several short original works and then transition into the composition of a longform essay or article.
Along the way, participants will discuss source cultivation, organizational strategies, and how to write for a target publication. Instructor Kathryn Miles, award-winning journalist and author of four nonfiction books, will also address the business of writing nonfiction in the 21st century, including how to create and maintain a digital platform, the realities of working as a freelance writer in the digital age, and tips for finding and securing an agent.
Required texts:
Als, Hilton (Ed). The Best American Essays 2018. (Mariner Books). ISBN: 978-0-544-81734-0
Kramer, Mark and Call, Wendy (Eds). Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers’ Guide (Plume). ISBN: 978-0-452-28755-6
+ SUBMIT After registering, participants are asked to submit a manuscript (a story or nonfiction/essay excerpt)) of up to 5,000 words by no later than 9:00 AM on September 25th. Please email the manuscript to programs@mainewriters.org with the subject line: “Miles WORKSHOP MSS.” Please help MWPA conserve paper by using standard formatting (1” margins, double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman) and keeping spacing to a minimum (e.g. no title pages). *Word docs (ideally) or PDFs only, please.
+ DATES The workshop will meet every Thursday (except Thanksgiving Day) October 5th-December 14th , unless unforeseen scheduling issues should arise.
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur ONLINE via Zoom. Students do not need to create an account to participate, but should test out Zoom before their class if they are first-time users. The week of the workshop, students will be emailed a link that they may click to enter the test session and the class.
+ 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.
Kathryn Miles is the author of five books, including TRAILED: ONE WOMAN'S QUEST TO SOLVE THE SHENANDOAH MURDERS, which is also being adapted as documentary TV series. Her essays and articles have appeared in AUDUBON MAGAZINE, BEST AMERICAN ESSAYS, BEST AMERICAN SPORTSWRITING, THE BOSTON GLOBE, ECOTONE, NEW YORK TIMES, OUTSIDE, POLITICO, POPULAR MECHANICS, and TIME. Miles currently serves as a faculty member in Eastern Oregon University's MFA program, as a scholar in residence for the Maine Humanities Council, and as a contributing editor for DOWN EAST MAGAZINE.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via our website. 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. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact Meghan Sterling at programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
$450 Members/$600 Nonmembers
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 partial scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Email Meghan at programs@mainewriters.org to see if the scholarship is still available. Application Due by October 1st at 9:00 a.m.
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MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION