Analyzing and Writing the Reddit r/nosleep Story (15-18)
The NoSleep subreddit, is well known for being a quality source of short horror fiction that follows a very specific set of guidelines. There are two classes offered:.
A one-time Analyzing the Reddit r/nosleep Story, and a three-week Writing the Reddit r/nosleep Story. NOTE: For these particular classes, the age range is not flexible.
Semester Course: Using Creative Techniques to Craft Nonfiction Writing
In this class series we will do creative exercises, and then translate what we have done to nonfiction work. This allows readers to approach writing from a completely different angle, and also forces them to think about how to write from a fresh approach. Lessons learned can then be applied to more formulaic writing, making it both easier and less stressful.
Semester Course: From Hook to Revision – A Full Fiction Writing Course (14-18)
In this class, learners are going to play with words, put ideas together in amusing ways, and bring writing into a format that is easy to access. Pieces will receive short feedback each day, and by the end of this class series we will have a fully-formed and revised story.
Prominent Voices: Queer/LGBTQ Black Fiction Authors
In these two ninety-minute sessions, spread over two weeks, we will read fiction literature from queer Black authors, and discuss their work in the historical context, as well as talk about the importance of their work in cultural queer movements.
Semester Course: Queer/LGBTQ+ Literature – From 1900 to Now
In this class series learners will study Queer literature, loosely defined here as post-1900s through the current day. We will discuss social opinions and beliefs that shaped queer authors’ lives and writing, as well as censorship and social perceptions. We will also learn about queer authors who broke those frames, and the way that queer people have stood up for themselves – a movement that was reflected in the writing.
Ongoing Queer/LGBTQ+ News, Events, and Culture
In this weekly discussion group we will talk about the current week’s queer news. While often there are a lot more things going on than we can conceivably cover, we will try to tackle as many as possible.
We will also talk about things that make being queer awesome, and things that happen in our week that makes us happy!
Beating Writer’s Block With Weekly Write-Ins
In this ongoing weekly workshop for either ages 11-15 or 14-18 learners are going to play with words, put ideas together in amusing ways, complete exercises, and bring writing into a format that is easy to access. While the focus will not be on completing fully polished works, we will be breaking down mental barriers, and learning to enjoy putting pen to paper or fingers to keys while working on whichever piece they choose to that week.
Writing Short Bites – Writing Intensive
In this eight-day, two-week intensive, we will dive right in and start a new piece, and each following day learn about an apply a specific part of story writing. This intensive, for either ages 11-15 or 14-18, will help to give students the skills and tools to feel confident in learning how to write down their ideas.
Queer / LGBTQ+ Literature: Then and Now Series
In each four-week, four-class series, learners will study periods of literature set in the Pre-Stonewall, Post-Stonewall, and the 21st Century eras. We will ask: what has changed in queer literature since the beginning of the 19th century? While it’s now possible to find books that feature protagonists in a wide variety of genders and sexualities, there are still obstacles for queer authors, and we will study how those obstacles have shifted and changed with the queer movement.
Queer / LGBTQ+ Literature, Then and Now: Intensives
In each week-long, four-class series, learners will study periods of literature set in the Pre-Stonewall, Post-Stonewall, and the 21st Century eras. We will ask: what has changed in queer literature since the beginning of the 19th century? While it’s now possible to find books that feature protagonists in a wide variety of genders and sexualities, there are still obstacles for queer authors, and we will study how those obstacles have shifted and changed with the queer movement.