Five Thursday Sessions
6:00-8:00pm EST
Dates: 11/12 – 12/17 (OFF 11/26)
Manuscript Course
It’s become the conundrum in literary adventures to make a clear distinction in a memoir between what’s true and what’s made up. But memoir—the form itself—can be as various, wild and eclectic as the individual who setting their life to the music of life sentences. Anything goes, if it moves the reader. And besides, truth, of so I feel, is relative when talking about art.
There are many ways of negotiating that truth in writing the essay or its longer form, the memoir. “It’s all in the art, you don’t get credit for living,” V.S. Pritchett famously said. And so, the strategy for any autobiographical writing, is to raise the stakes and write about one’s life not merely as something alive, but as something mysterious to be celebrated.
Participants will bring new and/or revised work to share every week to a supportive and constructive meeting space which will include an ongoing discussion not only about how your truth is the only one that matters in your writing, but also how to organize ideas on the page and how revision, syntax, and even writing off the subject, or free writing, can help to bring the writing to life. In addition, we will also read a selection of work by writers who are considered vital in the creative non-fiction field.
Thursdays
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Begin by reading the course descriptions carefully. If you have questions, email us at [email protected] or call the office at (203) 227-3250, and we are happy to help place you in the class that best fits your writing goals and needs.
Our beginner/introductory classes are for writers just starting out or who haven’t written in a very long time and crave more instruction. The intermediate classes are for writers who have taken a few workshops either with us or elsewhere and are ideal for writers who’ve already developed a foundation in the craft. Our advanced classes require the permission of the instructor and a short manuscript submission. Please contact the office if you are interested in registering for advanced classes.
We also offer a number of open level classes. Instructors will cater these classes to varying skill levels and students will benefit from working with writers at different stages of the process.
At Westport Writers’ Workshop, we believe creativity is fostered in small classes. To maintain this intimate creative environment, we cap each workshop at seven participants. Our workshops that focus on the business and marketing side of writing and do not involve sharing work may include up to ten participants. Our one-time lectures and Intro. to Craft series may include up to fifty students.
In most workshops, writers read their work aloud, followed by feedback and extensive discussion among workshop participants and the instructor. The exception to this is specific offerings that focus on the business and marketing side of writing or craft lectures.
You can expect to share work every week.
We are pleased to provide a limited number of need-based partial scholarships for our classes. To apply, please visit our SCHOLARSHIPS page and submit the form.
Yes, all of our instructors are available for coaching and editing. Visit our Coaching and Editing page to learn more about our large menu of services, from query letters to full manuscript critiques and everything in between. Instructors are also available for multi-week, one-on-one Mentoring .
Students who withdraw more than two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop are eligible to receive a refund or a credit applicable toward a future workshop. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals made within two weeks of the workshop start date. No credits or refunds will be issued once a workshop session begins. Failure to attend a workshop does not constitute an official withdrawal. In the event that Westport Writers' Workshop or an instructor cancels a session, a makeup will be scheduled; if a makeup session cannot be arranged, a pro-rated refund will be issued. Credits issued in lieu of a refund will remain valid for one year from the original date of purchase. Westport Writers' Workshop reserves the right to remove any participant who fails to comply with the organization's code of conduct; in such cases, no refund or credit will be provided.
Our workshops are a forum for students to share a broad range of life experiences and creative concepts which may include mature topics. All students attending our standard programming must be a minimum of 18 years of age. Younger students may join our specialized teen and youth programming.
Our multi-week workshops have a minimum of 4 students. In the event enrollment is less than 5 students, the Westport Writers' Workshop reserves the right to reduce the workshop by 1/2 hour. Any workshop with 3 or fewer participants will be canceled the week before the start of class. Those registered will have the choice of switching to another available workshop, taking a credit for a future workshop or receive a full refund.
Our workshop fosters an environment where writers can achieve their artistic goals without fear of unwanted exposure, uninvited criticism, or plagiarism. Students may not discuss or provide information about another writer's work to anyone outside the workshop without the writer's express permission.
Students are expected to be respectful at all times toward instructors and fellow participants, including, but not limited to, being attentive and courteous. Instructors and Westport Writers’ Workshop reserve the right to remove any student who is disruptive, including instances of belligerence, unwelcome contact either in person or via email/phone, inebriation, or other behavior deemed inappropriate by staff.
There are no refunds if a student cannot attend a regularly scheduled class or make-up class. Out of respect for our students’ privacy, weekly workshops are not recorded and are not available for absent students to review.
Workshop meeting dates are listed on our website under each specific course. Occasionally, dates may change due to extenuating circumstances. In the event of an unforeseen cancellation, a makeup class will be scheduled. If a makeup cannot be offered, the workshop fee will be prorated to reflect the reduced number of sessions. Westport Writers’ Workshop observes holidays and breaks in alignment with the Westport Public School calendar.
Unlock creativity and inspire a passion for storytelling with the perfect gift—an invitation to a transformative writing experience at Westport Writers’ Workshop! Give the gift of creativity and self-expression.
