Apply the literary techniques of fiction to craft compelling personal stories. Over six weeks, you will write, revise, and polish two personal narratives. Generative prompts will launch you from the blank page, supportive feedback will guide you through the middle, and effective revision strategies will bring each piece to completion. Writers of all levels are welcome.

Looking for a fun way to jumpstart your writing? Whether you’re interested in getting published or simply playing with words, flash fiction offers a low-pressure, high-reward outlet for creativity. These ultra-short jewels range from pithy 6-word stories to 4-page tales. Together, we’ll read standout examples and write a slew of our own, with friendly group discussions along the way. Experts and newbies alike are welcome.

Craving something more from your lunch hour? Gather with us in the middle of the day for this supportive and generative writing class. Each week, we’ll focus on a different writing theme or structure and use writing prompts to generate new work. Writers of all genres are welcome. Feel free to bring your lunch!

Get a deeper understanding and appreciation of what you read with our examination of Memento Mori, a darkly comic masterpiece by Muriel Spark. The New Yorker called it “a complex, beautiful, and terrifyingly insightful novel about old age.” We’ll look at Spark’s use of character, dialogue, point of view, narrative style, detail, and gestures, increasing our reading pleasure as our awareness of these elements grows. Please read up to page 39 in the New Directions paperback and bring it to the first class.

“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath.” Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice raises complex questions about fairness, forgiveness, and power. The Jewish moneylender Shylock demands a pound of flesh from Antonio as repayment for a broken loan, challenging audiences to consider justice and mercy, love and loyalty, prejudice, and the risks and rewards of human behavior. Through a shared table read and guided discussion, we will explore the play’s major themes, its historical context, and what it means to read and perform the play today. Required Reading: Merchant of Venice (Folger Edition)

Celebrate the enduring brilliance of literary icon Jane Austen as we mark the 250th anniversary of her birth. Together, we’ll dive into the worlds of Sense & Sensibility and Mansfield Park, meet unforgettable characters, and explore the themes that continue to resonate today. We’ll also discover Austen’s life in the Georgian era and how her times shaped the stories we still love. Readers should arrive to the first class having read up to chapter 6 of Sense & Sensibility.

Have you always wanted to try fiction writing but haven’t put pen to paper yet? Or maybe you’ve put down your pen for a while and need a creative spark to pick it back up. This low-pressure, generative class is the perfect space to experiment and ignite your imagination. Kindle your creativity with fun prompts—like music, sounds, and images—to get your ideas flowing. If you’d like, you can share your work in a supportive environment and receive encouraging feedback. Each week, you’ll walk away with a new piece of writing—maybe even one you’ll want to build on.

Everyone has a story worth telling. Find yours! In a supportive space grounded in accountability and kindness, you’ll explore your personal stories through the three key elements of memoir: sensory sparks, scene building, and exterior perspective. Come ready to write with your computer or notebook. Expect guided exercises and two writing prompts to spark new work each week. Sharing is optional, but you’ll have the opportunity to receive feedback if you choose.

How do writers draw readers in from the very first line? Explore openings in fiction and creative nonfiction, studying published examples to see what makes them compelling. Then experiment with different ways to start your own story or essay. Whether generating new work or revising a draft, you’ll leave with fresh ideas to hook readers from the first sentence.

Note: End date was incorrect in the print catalogue. It is June 10th. Wuthering Heights is many things—a ghost story, a mystery, a multi-generational epic, a revenge tragedy—but it sure isn’t a love story. Through close reading and discussion, we’ll explore how the novel’s intense emotions often lead to control, cruelty, and harm rather than connection. We’ll consider its unusual structure, wild setting, and troubling depictions of childhood, class, and inheritance. Along the way, we’ll ask why the book is so often romanticized, and what gets lost when obsession is celebrated as love. Required Reading: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë