Everyone has stories. Memoir is the art of transforming those experiences into meaningful narratives that help us better understand ourselves, our lives, and the world around us. In this three-week introductory course, participants will explore the foundations of memoir writing, including what distinguishes memoir from autobiography, personal essay, and fiction. Through discussion, examples, writing exercises, and guided reflection, students will learn the essential elements of memoir craft, including scene development, character, voice, structure, and the role of reflection in shaping lived experience into compelling story. Whether you dream of writing a book, preserving family stories, or simply exploring your life through writing, this course will provide a strong foundation for understanding memoir and beginning to shape your own experiences into meaningful narratives. Participants will receive handouts, suggested readings, and optional between-session writing exercises. For students aged 13 and older.

In this introductory workshop, participants will learn foundational elements of poetry and get a chance to explore their own poetic styles. This workshop will give room for writers to experiment with form poetry and free verse, enabling emerging poets to find what brings them joy. Participants will engage in writing exercises with opportunities to share out and receive optional constructive feedback. A judgement-free class, this workshop is open to all who wish to learn more about themselves by critically reading and writing poetry. While designed to be introductory, writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome. Participants should bring their preferred writing tools, such as a notebook/pen and/or laptop.

A memoir is not a record of everything that happened. It is a carefully curated story about what mattered, why it mattered, and what it means now. In this three-week workshop, participants will explore how memoirists transform a lifetime of experiences into a compelling narrative. Through discussion of published memoir excerpts, we will examine how writers choose which moments to include, which details to emphasize, and how they uncover deeper meaning within their experiences. Together, we will explore questions such as: Why this story? Why these memories? And what makes one moment more essential than another? Participants will be guided through reflection, writing exercises, and memoir-mapping activities designed to help them identify meaningful stories, recurring themes, pivotal moments, and emerging insights within their own lives. Through this process, students will begin exploring which experiences feel most alive on the page and what larger questions, transformations, or discoveries may connect them. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the stories they may want to tell and a clearer sense of where a potential memoir might begin. Participants will receive handouts, suggested readings, and optional between-session writing exercises.For students aged 13 and older.

Have you written a novel, memoir, or other book and wondered what comes next? This practical workshop will demystify the process of finding a literary agent and preparing your submission materials. We’ll explore how to research and identify agents who are a good fit for your work, what agents look for in a submission, and how to put together the essential materials—including a compelling query letter, synopsis, and opening pages. You’ll also learn how to approach the submission process strategically and avoid common mistakes that can get a promising manuscript overlooked. Whether you’re just beginning to explore traditional publishing or are ready to start querying, this workshop will give you a clearer roadmap for taking the next step toward publication. Option to take this course in-person at CVU High School on Oct 29 or online on Nov 5. Age 18+

In this class, you’ll learn the basics of writing fiction prose, from brainstorming to revision. Whether you’re brand new to writing or you’ve always dreamed of publishing fiction, this class is for you! We’ll cover both short story and novel-length writing strategies. Over the course of this class, you’ll write and revise a short story with individualized feedback. Students will participate in a class-wide writing workshop, so be prepared to share your writing and provide thoughtful feedback to other writers. No previous experience required. This course is recommended for adult writers, high school and above. A notebook and writing implement are recommended for notes-no other materials are required.