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"The instructor gave a complete and thorough class that hit upon the entire process of memoir writing. With almost every point she had an example that clearly illustrated the topic. The writing exercises were perfect and helped communicate the points even more."
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"Very informative and useful for all memoir writers."
- Chak Koonapareddy
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"This course was one of the best things I've done for myself to jumpstart my own work."
- Adam Ward
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Memoir NYC
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
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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)


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)


Memoir Writing | One-Day in NYC
 
The One-Day Intensives 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.

One-Day Intensives are offered in NYC on Fridays and weekends throughout the year.

Gotham also offers two and four-week seminars, including: How to Get Published, How to Freelance, How to Blog, Nonfiction Book Proposal, and How to Sell Your Screenplay.

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
Mar 31 Saturday 30 W. 16 St. 11:00AM - 6:00PM


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