Memoir Writing | New York City | Creative Writing Classes in NYC and Online with Professional Writing Instructors

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"This is by far the best writing course that I have ever taken."

- Linda Gask
Doctor

"Very informative and useful for all memoir writers."

- Chak Koonapareddy
Filmmaker

"This course got me completing up to 75 pages of new work for my book, as well as giving me clearer ideas about what to do with chapters that needed work."

- Rania Zada
Writer

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Everyone has a story to tell. Whether a life is unconventional or relatively normal, there’s bound to be something fascinating about it. That’s why the contemporary memoir – everyday people telling their tales – has become such a popular phenomenon. Memoirs appear throughout magazines and bookstores and a lucky few, such as Angela’s Ashes and The Liar’s Club, even make the bestseller list.

To make readers care, your memoir must be told with the finesse of fiction. In our courses, you will learn how to focus your life stories, give them literary purpose, and apply such craft elements as character, plot, description, dialogue, setting, pacing, and theme. You will also learn how and where to market your work.

Whether you seek to write essay-length pieces or a book, we’ll show you how to best tell the stories from your life.

Select a class: Level I, Advanced, One-Day
See also: Memoir Writing Online

Level I
Memoir Writing | 10-week Workshop

Using a balance of lecture, exercise, and feedback on work from the instructor and classmates, this course gives students a firm grounding in all the basics of memoir writing. Everything is presented in a clear, accessible manner.

Write one or two short memoirs or begin a book
Lectures on basics of memoir craft
Writing exercises
Present work for critique (two times)

Memoir I is for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals.

View a course syllabus.

(3.0 CEU)

New York City Classes

Tuition: $395, Returning Students $365 . Registration Fee $25.

Each class strictly limited to 14 students, ages 18 and up.

Starts	Meeting Day	Location	Time	Special	Enroll
Apr 17	Saturdays	555 8th Ave.	10:00AM - 1:00PM	No Class: May 29
Apr 19	Mondays	1450 Broadway	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: May 31
Apr 20	Tuesdays	273 Bowery	6:45PM - 9:45PM
Apr 21	Wednesdays	272 W. 10 St.	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: May 26
Apr 21	Wednesdays	555 8th Ave.	2:00PM - 5:00PM
Apr 22	Thursdays	555 8th Ave.	10:00AM - 1:00PM

= Daytime Class

Advanced
Memoir Writing | 10-week Workshop

Focusing on developing projects and receiving feedback from the instructor and classmates, this course helps students sharpen their skills and work toward completion of publishable work. Writers often repeat Memoir II to continue their projects.

Write or refine one/two short memoirs or begin or work toward completion of a book
Lectures that expand on basics of memoir craft
Writing exercises
Present work for in-depth critique (two times)

Prerequisite: Memoir Writing I or the equivalent.

Which level is right for you? How to Choose a Level

(3.0 CEU)

New York City Classes

Tuition: $395, Returning Students $365 . Registration Fee $25.

Each class strictly limited to 14 students, ages 18 and up.

Starts	Meeting Day	Location	Time	Special	Enroll
Apr 18	Sundays	555 8th Ave.	10:00AM - 1:00PM	No Class: May 30
Apr 19	Mondays	273 Bowery	6:45PM - 9:45PM	No Class: May 31
Apr 20	Tuesdays	272 W. 10 St.	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: May 25
Apr 22	Thursdays	555 8th Ave.	2:00PM - 5:00PM

= Daytime Class

Memoir Writing | One-Day in NYC

The One-Day Workshops are fun, fast-paced immersions in a type of writing. You’ll get a mixture of brief lectures that hit the high-points and writing exercises that let you immediately try your hand at what you’ve just learned. The one-days provide an excellent overview of their fields, ideal for both the beginner and someone wanting a quick refresher course. Come in to class with a notepad, pen, and desire to learn. By the end of the day, you’ll be a more knowledgeable and skilled writer.

One-Days are for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals.

Topics include: the contemporary memoir defined, character, plot, description, getting published

New York City Classes

Tuition: $125. Registration Fee $25.

Each class strictly limited to 25 students, ages 18 and up.

Starts	Meeting Day	Location	Time	Special	Enroll
Apr 11	Sunday	Hunter College N.	11:00AM - 6:00PM