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Attic Institute: FALL Online: Intro to Flash Nonfiction w Brian Benson

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

Flash nonfiction, simply put, is true-to-life writing defined by extreme compression: it's saying what you've got to say using as few words, and as much beauty, as possible. An endlessly accessible, playful, potent form, flash nonfiction is evermore popular; from Brevity to Barren, The Forge to The Sun, legions of journals are eager to publish great flash. In this prompt-driven workshop, we'll read short nonfiction by master writers, including Ross Gay, Natalie Lima, Ira Sukrungruang, Roxane Gay, Jerald Walker, Ruth Ozeki, and many more; we'll talk about what stories are suited for flash, how to tell them well, and where to publish them; and most of all, we'll write, and write, and write, via in-class exercises and take-home prompts. Students will leave the class with reams of new writing and ideas for where to publish. Register for…

Continue readingAttic Institute: FALL Online: Intro to Flash Nonfiction w Brian Benson
$215 – $242

FALL Online: Tell It True, Tell It Slant: Creative Nonfiction Workshop w Zahir Janmohamed

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

Think of a label on a fine wine. If it is well written, it should describe the wine and invoke mood, emotion, and place. Great nonfiction, I believe, aspires to do this. It speaks about a narrow thing and also a much bigger thing. In this five-week course, we will study the various forms of nonfiction writing, with an emphasis on personal essay writing. Students will learn craft tips and get a chance to workshop their writing. My goal is to encourage students to try something new, be it satire or reportage or memoir. At the end of class, we will discuss the ins and outs of publishing and how to pitch stories to editors. Register for this workshop NOTE: To protect everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic, we're…

Continue readingFALL Online: Tell It True, Tell It Slant: Creative Nonfiction Workshop w Zahir Janmohamed
$215 – $242

Fall 2020 Online: Writing the Non-Fiction Book Proposal

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

Writing a book proposal is the best first step to writing a nonfiction book for both adults and young readers. An excellent proposal helps you organize your ideas, understand the competition, and can help you land a publishing contract even before you write the book. This six-week class will take you step-by-step through the major parts of the nonfiction book proposal: the query letter, overview, competitive analysis, marketing and promotion, author background, outline and sample chapter. Bring an idea, and be ready to write. The class includes extensive handouts and questionnaires to guide your work. Class outcomes: By the end of this six week workshop, students will leave with a rough draft of a nonfiction book proposal. More information: Download 10 Reasons to Write a…

Continue readingFall 2020 Online: Writing the Non-Fiction Book Proposal
$285

The Moth: Virtual StorySLAM: Silenced

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

SILENCED: Prepare a five-minute story about suppression. Interrupted, talked over, censored, shushed. Pleading the Fifth about your sister’s boyfriend, your friend’s new haircut, your mother-in-law’s famous jello salad. Being told to hold your tongue, hush your mouth, or button your lip. OR the time you pushed back, shouted out, and brandished your words as weapons. Regale us with tales of words eaten…or spoken. Media Sponsors: OPB and Literary Arts Additional Information About the Venue A link to the official Zoom room will be sent on the day of the event to anyone who purchases a ticket. Make sure you check your spam folder. If you have any issues accessing the event please contact info@themoth.org

$10

True Crime Book Club (Remote)

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

The True Crime Book Club is led by the true crime aficionado Rachel Newton Cumley. We would like to extend an invitation to all of our true crime enthusiasts. Our book discussions aim to bring people together to talk about books in a safe and inviting atmosphere. Our meetings are lovely and inclusive; we invite you to attend. Come and enjoy a lively discussion about the chosen book with other readers. Join us on Wednesday September 16th 6pm for True Crime Book Club. This month's pick is The Killer Across the Table by John Douglas. The legendary FBI criminal profiler, number-one New York Times bestselling author, and inspiration for the hit Netflix show Mindhunter delves deep into the lives and crimes of four of the…

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Free

Rob Bell in Conversation with the band Joseph

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

In his profound and deeply personal new book, New York Times bestselling author Rob Bell explores the endless dynamic questions and connections that have shaped his life to provide powerful insight into understanding your purpose and place in the world. Our home is a universe of endless dynamic connections that never stop inviting us to participate in the great mysterious love at the heart of it all. Everything Is Spiritual (St. Martin’s Essentials) is a brief history of how these ideas about creation, love, and connection shaped the author — and can shape every one of us. In his new book, Bell explores the concept that what people really want, more than anything, is to understand their purpose here — so much so that it…

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Free

Author Reading: rough house by tina ontiveros and Remote by DJ Lee

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

DJ Lee, author of the March release Remote: Finding Home in the Bitterroots, and tina ontiveros, author of the forthcoming rough house, join us for an evening of stunning prose and frank conversation about the particular complexities of parent/child relationships and how they shape who we are. Remote: Finding Home in the Bitterroots Skillfully intertwining history, outdoor adventure, and mystery, Lee’s memoir is an engaging contribution to the growing body of literature on women and wilderness and a lyrical tribute to the spiritual connection between people and the natural world. Lee is a Regents Professor of Literature and Creative Writing at Washington State University, the Director of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness History Project, and a scholar-fellow at the Black Earth Institute. rough house In searingly honest,…

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Free

Tiffany D. Cross in Conversation With Elie Mystal

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

Black voters were critical to the Democrats’ 2018 blue wave. In fact, 90 percent of Black voters supported Democratic House candidates, compared to just 53 percent of all voters. Despite media narratives, this was not a fluke. Throughout U.S. history, Black people have played a crucial role in the shaping of the American experiment. Yet still, this powerful voting bloc is often dismissed as some “amorphous” deviation, argues political analyst Tiffany D. Cross. Say it Louder! (Amistad) is Cross’s explosive examination of how America’s composition was designed to exclude Black voters, but paradoxically would likely cease to exist without them. With multiple tentacles stretching into the cable news echo chamber, campaign leadership, and Black voter data, Cross creates a wrinkle in time with a reflective…

Continue readingTiffany D. Cross in Conversation With Elie Mystal
Free

Fall 2020: Nine-Month Memoir Intensive

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

WAITING LIST ONLY. This class begins in September, with the goal of finishing a complete draft of a memoir by June. Participants do not need to be published writers; however, they should have some experience with elements of memoir, including character, setting, dialogue and scene, and have a clear project in mind that they will devote nine months to. They should also be comfortable in a workshop setting, giving and receiving criticism on works in progress. Though it is not a prerequisite, students who have taken “Memoir Boot Camp” or “Advanced Memoir” at Literary Arts should find this class an appropriate next step. Download the syllabus here. Contact Susan Moore at susan@literary-arts.org with questions. Access Program The scholarship position for this class has been filled.…

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$1200

Fall 2020 Online: Memoir Infusion!

Online N/A, Portland, OR, United States

The best work speaks intimately to you even though it has been consciously made to speak intimately to thousands of others.- Jeanette Winterson This class is meant to get you moving, excited and deeply engaged with your memoir project. Whether you’ve almost got a full draft, are just beginning, or somewhere in between, together we’re going to make progress. Through reading memoir samples, craft talks and readings, plus specific writing exercises, we’ll examine what makes a reader engage with your story. We will look at ways to organize and shape life-chaos into art. Through vivid details, authentic voice, inventive uses of form, captivating dialog and invigorated settings, we can indeed make our personal stories universal. During the first half of class we will workshop short…

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$650
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