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Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
TUESDAYS, Jan. 21st - Feb. 25th |Is it true or is it fiction – and does it matter? Often the lines between memoir and fiction can be blurry. And most of great literature has at least some elements of truth in it, from books that are largely autobiographical like Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior, Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, and Chris Kraus’s Aliens and Anorexia to fictional worlds like Raymond Carver’s and Denis Johnson’s that are drawn from a world that could only be created through personal experience. Lately the term autofiction has been used to describe works like Ocean Vuong, Marguerite Duras, Teju Cole and Annie Ernaux. Since Ernaux won the Nobel Prize in literature in 2022, the genre has been getting even more buzz. In this class we will talk about the debate over autofiction versus memoir. We will explore memories, experiences, and characters from our own lives and turn them into fictional stories, blending the richness of our emotional and felt experiences with elements from our imagination to create compelling writing.
We will have writing prompts, in-class exercises, and reading assignments of autofiction and semi-autobiographical fiction. This class is primarily a writing workshop, and your work will be discussed twice in the class. You will be expected to read and comment on classmates’ work.
Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
SUNDAYS, Jan. 26th - March 5th |Do you want to write the Great American Novel but find it hard to finish a short story? Maybe you need to ease into writing with something you can write a first draft of in a few hours. I believe that before we can tackle a longer piece of writing, it’s important to learn the elements of what make good writing, and the perfect practice ground for this is short fiction.
This class will focus on learning these elements by writing flash fiction (stories under 1500 words). We will discuss different aspects of craft and read some of the best examples of flash by authors like Lydia Davis, George Saunders, Sherman Alexie and Carmen Maria Machado.
I will give you weekly writing prompts, and each week the class will give you feedback on a new story. At the end of the class I will encourage you to send your finished work out into the world. Many stories from past classes have been published!
Two novelists and a journalist explore how storytelling becomes a powerful act of defiance, addressing global and local injustices—from Hindu-Muslim strife in India and Kashmir, to human trafficking through a victim’s epistolary entries, and finally, resistance against the Trump administration. Through their words, they expose the fractures of humanity and the enduring spirit of rebellion.
SATURDAYS, Feb. 1st & 8th | Does writing sex scenes make you nervous? Sex in books can be awkward - in fact, it's the awkward, the unusual, the failed sex that is often the most powerful writing. But writing sex shouldn't be awkward. Some writers like the "fade to black" approach to sex, while others like writing about it in the broad daylight.
What makes good sex writing, and how can we learn to do it? Good sex writing, like good sex, starts with learning the basics (in this case, by reading others), experimenting (playing and getting messy), and making it your own - making it your unique style.
In the first class, we will read sex scenes and talk about them as literary devices. How do they move forward the plot, the story, the character development? In the second class, we will share our first experimental try at writing a sex scene and get feedback on moving from nervous beginner to pro.
Even if writing about sex makes you nervous, you will leave this class with a better understanding of how you want to write about sex and how sex, like every other aspect of a book, is an extension of character and narrative.
Please note that this class covers adult topics and is only open to students 18 or older.
Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
TUESDAYS, Feb. 4th - March 11th | The gatekeepers of the film and television industries make up their minds about a script in its very first pages. Those pages must not only charm and surprise, they must convince the reader that they are the foundation for a deeply imagined world and the compelling characters within it.
Whether you’re new to screenwriting, have a script under way or are revising, this course will help you achieve a great screenplay’s key objectives in an open and supportive workshop atmosphere. Through weekly writing exercises, table reads and script analysis you’ll learn how to introduce compelling characters, set a distinct tone, establish the rules of your fictional world, and hook your audience. We’ll dissect and discuss the scripts for American Fiction and the pilot script for the Shogun series, along with interviews with screenwriters and excerpts from The TV Writer’s Workbook and The Screenwriter’s Bible. Students will complete the course with (at minimum) the opening 10-15 pages of a screenplay, a logline, synopsis, and a toolbox of exercises, materials and resources to help them complete a unique script.
Wednesdays, Feb. 5th - March 12th |Do you have a short story that you don't know how to finish, or a piece of fiction that you think could be stronger, but you aren't sure how? This workshop is ideal for writers who have work in progress and are ready for feedback. Each week we will workshop two stories by students, paying attention to what stands out, and answering questions the authors have given in advance to guide our reading. We will supplement our workshop by reading and discussing published stories to deepen our understanding of the mechanics of fiction. If time allows, we we will try our hand at in-class writing prompts and share these exercises in class. By the end of the course, each student will have had the opportunity to receive feedback on their stories at least twice. All genres of fiction are welcome.
Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
Thursday, Feb. 13th | Dive into the world of flash fiction, where every word matters and every sentence packs a punch. Welcome to the universe of micro fiction, where the power of storytelling meets the art of brevity.
In this class, you will:
Whether you aspire to craft standalone micro-stories or use this form to enrich your longer works, this course will equip you with the skills to create concise, impactful narratives that leave a lasting impression.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
SUNDAYS, March 2nd - 23rd | Discover the power of poetry and expressive writing to transform your approach to wellness and resilience in this unique four-week series. This course provides a creative, reflective space to recharge and reconnect with depth to your interior world while in community with others. Through guided writing prompts, inspiring poetry, and thought-provoking discussions, you’ll explore how the unpacking poetry in community can help process emotions, reduce stress, and help build your toolkit for radical resilience.
This 4-week course consists of weekly 2-hour sessions that build on the principles of the Poetry as a Tool for Wellness framework as taught by the Institute for Poetic Medicine, blending creativity and self-reflection to help you find meaning and connection on your personal path. Over four weeks, you’ll develop practical skills for fostering a deeper understanding of your own story while generating new writing.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join a supportive community of peers and discover the healing power of poetry to inspire and heal! Spaces are limited to 15 attendees — register now to reserve your spot!
Outcomes:
By the end of this course, participants will:
MONDAYS, March 3rd - May 5th | Each novel is unique and yet all have common qualities. It’s in balancing these two principals that we will examine writing your novel. I am frustrated with novel writing workshops that pretend we can place some cookie cutter mythic structure or simplistic beats sheet onto a novel and make anything but a formulaic novel. We will start out by reviewing a synopsis of the novel and then read first chapters. We will read craft discussions of plot, scene and summary and character development. We will think about, explore and write about our novel as we write our novel. In this small workshop, we will check in on where you are in the process of writing your novel and help you take the next steps. Each novel is a unique entry into the form of the novel, and I will approach your novel as an individual work of art.
TUESDAYS, March 4th & 11th | Do you want to captivate an audience when reading your work aloud? Whether you're preparing for a book launch, an open mic, or a public reading, Read Your Work Like a Pro will give you the skills and confidence to shine. In this two-session course, writer and public speaker Mary Ladd will guide you through the essentials of delivering a compelling performance.
In the first session, you'll learn foundational techniques, including pacing, volume, posture, and engaging body language. Through hands-on exercises and short readings, you'll start building your stage presence in a supportive environment. The second session dives deeper into advanced skills like managing stage fright, using pauses for dramatic effect, and adapting to audience reactions. You'll also have the opportunity to perform a reading of your own work. Full-length reading may not be possible. While this course focuses on group exercises and universally applicable techniques, you'll leave with a toolkit of strategies to refine your performance on your own.
This class is ideal for writers at all stages who want to confidently share their work and connect with audiences. Bring your writing to life and make a lasting impression!
Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will:
Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
Tuesdays, March 11th - April 22nd* | Did you know that it’s possible to sell a nonfiction book on the strength of a book proposal alone—even if you haven’t yet finished writing your book? A book proposal is an equation: a business case married with a marketing plan that you submit to publishers. In this workshop, students will learn the full spectrum of writing a first-draft proposal: what to include, what to leave out, faux pas to avoid, structuring your proposal in a professional format, and how to demonstrate to publishers that you’re a serious writer who understands the 21st century publishing landscape. Each week, students will write one draft section of their proposal. They will receive weekly critique on their drafts from the instructor, and they will also workshop sections with one another in small groups or partners. Students should have a completed or in-progress nonfiction manuscript, and be comfortable using Word, Google Docs, or Scrivener.
*Note: there is no class on March 25th
Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
Take some time for your writing this winter with a series of virtual Write-Ins hosted by The Writers Grotto. Led by one the Grotto’s many talented and accomplished writers, each of the sessions below provides 60 minutes of space and guidance in which to get your creative energy flowing, generate new material, bring old material up to snuff, and just make contact with the community of writers that is the Grotto, our teachers, and our students.
Write-Ins are held on a variety of days and times to give our students the opportunity to choose a Write-In that works best for their schedule.
Cost: $25/session or $99 for a season pass!
Sessions:
Wednesdays, April 2nd - May 7th | This strategy- and information-packed workshop is open to writers of any genre who are planning to apply for a literary grant, fellowship, scholarship, or a national or international writers' residency opportunity in 2025 or 2026.
This workshop will cover:
*The dreaded Project Statement, Work Plan, or Goals and Objectives question
*How to demonstrate a rising trajectory (remembering that most people who are awarded grants are on their way up, not already there)
*Creating a professional literary CV
*Using headings and "buckets" to make your statement navigable
*How to craft clear, concise personal or "artist" statements (leave this class with a completed first draft in hand!)
*Why the marketing angle is so important
*Curating your social media profile to present yourself as a competitive applicant
Students should be computer savvy and prepared to engage in a range of hands-on activities.
Thursday, April 10th | Dive into the world of flash fiction, where every word matters and every sentence packs a punch. Welcome to the universe of micro fiction, where the power of storytelling meets the art of brevity.
In this class, you will:
Whether you aspire to craft standalone micro-stories or use this form to enrich your longer works, this course will equip you with the skills to create concise, impactful narratives that leave a lasting impression.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
Doug Henderson offers two levels of developmental editing:
Full Developmental Edit for $12/page. This level provides writers with a comprehensive road map that will help them hone their manuscripts for publication. This includes:
-An initial conversation about the project (via Zoom).
-Extensive page notes, including editing suggestions, margin comments and questions.
-A thorough editorial letter discussing craft and structure elements — such as theme, tension, narrative and character arcs — as well as thoughtful suggestions to strengthen your story.
-A second conversation to discuss next steps.
Read-Through Evaluation for $8/page. This level is good for writers who want broader feedback, including new writers who want early advice, or more experienced writers who seek general input, but don’t need or want detailed editing. This includes:
-An initial conversation about the project.
-Light page notes.
-A thorough editorial letter discussing craft and structure elements — such as theme, tension, narrative and character arcs — as well as thoughtful suggestions to strengthen your story.
-A second conversation to discuss next steps.
Let’s chat about how your ideas fit into a basic story structure that will lead to an engaging narrative. Send me up to 2000 words of idea or story summary prior to meeting consult. Session will take place via Zoom.
Polish your writing with Carly Stern, an award-winning independent journalist. Carly offers one-on-one consultations on all forms of narrative non-fiction, with an emphasis on writing about the self. Her work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, the Guardian US and The Washington Post.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Polish your prose with New York Times best-selling author Julia Scheeres.
Kate offers comprehensive developmental editing services tailored for both fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. With a keen eye for storytelling and a deep understanding of narrative techniques, Kate collaborates closely with authors to elevate their work to its highest potential.
For fiction projects, Kate provide detailed feedback on plot structure, character development, pacing, dialogue, and overall narrative coherence. She helps authors refine their storytelling techniques, ensuring that their readers are fully engaged and immersed in the world they've created.
In the realm of nonfiction, Kate specializes in organizing ideas, clarifying arguments, and refining the overall structure of the manuscript. She offer guidance on crafting compelling introductions and conclusions, maintaining a consistent tone, and ensuring that the content is engaging and accessible to the intended audience.
As every manuscript is unique, she provide bespoke services tailored to the specific needs of each author and project. Fees are determined based on the complexity, length, and scope of the work. With a commitment to professionalism and a passion for bringing out the best in every manuscript, Kate strive to help authors achieve their writing goals and create works that resonate with readers.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee.
Are you struggling to finalize a piece of science writing, whether it's an academic manuscript, article, or marketing blog? Need editorial help to make sure your message is clear and concise without losing accuracy? Jenny can help you improve your scientific content, using her unique combination of scientific and creative expertise.
Jenny Qi has a PhD in Cancer Biology from UC San Francisco and over a decade of experience in science communication spanning a range of industries, including biopharma, tech, and journalism.
This listing is for a 20-minute consultation to determine the scope of the project.
As an award-winning journalist, author, and consultant with decades of experience, I offer expert editorial consulting services at competitive rates. I write reports, policy briefs, articles, op-eds, blogs, and other materials for major national institutions and individual clients. As a veteran reporter, I also help writers develop and tell their stories for articles and book projects. First, we discuss your project and needs and how I can meet them, then I provide you with an estimate and we move forward with a simple straightforward contract. I look forward to talking with you, learning more about your project, and working together. Estimates are based on $100/hour fee. You can check out my work at www.christopherdcook.com.
Industry veteran writer-director-producer provides consulting for documentary and narrative film projects of any length and at any stage, from concept to pitch deck to rough cut to screenplay draft. Production services also available through Bay Area-based The Unscripted Company.
We will build your fictional work in a collaborative process for as long as it takes to create a whole and satisfying story. Thaisa Frank, a Pushcart Fellow, has published a novel and three collection of short stories. Her original approach, developed through teaching, addresses fiction from all cultures.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Laird Harrison, author of the novel Fallen Lake, provides editing and consultation services on all aspects of novel writing.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Laird Harrison will work with you one-on-one to improve your written communication. Laird has experience with both creative and business writing and can assist with all levels of writing.
Full-length poetry collections (45-80 pages in length).
Individual Poems up to 2 pages in length.
Folios consultation, up to 7 pages in length, with no more than 5 poems.
Chapbooks consultation (16-40 pages in length).
Got an idea for a children’s book? As the brilliant Madeleine L'Engle said, "You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grownups, then you write it for children.” In this 30-minute private Zoom consult, Lisa will give feedback on your idea to help you realize your vision and elevate your story to reach multiple audiences in today’s market. And if you don’t know what “multiple audiences” means in the kid-lit genre, that’s okay; she will tell you! Lisa’s YA crossover novel JUST LIKE BEAUTY was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and is in pre-production as a movie. She has decades of experience writing children’s books for major publishers and regularly teaches workshops to kids and adults who want to write for kids. In her free time, she enjoys petting rabbits and eating cake. Curious cats can find out more at www.lisalerner.com
In this three-session package of Creativity Hypnosis, experienced hypnotherapist and writing coach Jenny Bitner will help you delve into the depths of your subconscious mind to awaken your imagination and overcome creative blocks. This can be customized to deal with whatever issues around writing you are experiencing. Start this journey today!
Unleash your writing potential with Jenny Bitner. As a trained hypnotherapist, coach, and writing teacher, she'll help you overcome fear and tap into your creativity. Experience a transformative hypnotic session to release barriers and claim your full potential as a writer. Take the first step today.
Initial bespoke services consultation by email to determine the fee. Katia will draw on her expertise as an award-winning longform journalist to provide written feedback on magazine pitches. Katia has written for The New Yorker, Forbes, Mother Jones, Marie Claire, The Atavist Magazine and many other publications.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Maw is a writing coach and editor for poets. Maw has many years of experience as an educator, author, and editor. She teaches in the MFA Program at the University of San Francisco and is the inaugural poet laureate of El Cerrito, CA. You can learn more about her at mawsheinwin.com.