CURRENT WORKSHOPS
Excavating the Travel Essay
Learn how to write a literary travel essay in just one day! Everyone has that one story that changed their life: Perhaps it's a story of transformation abroad, of a place that moved you or a stranger who transformed you, a journey that still haunts you, or simply of a distant meal you'll never forget. Or maybe it's a story of migration and identity in a foreign landscape. We’ll push the boundaries of the genre while remaining committed to the heart of the story.
This course is for anyone who wants to write essays that are as vivid as they are insightful. We begin by reading a broad range of travel essays to understand how different techniques impact the reader. When would an anecdote be more effective than a statistic? How should a writer portray a culture they know little about? We'll break away from the clichés, tropes, and stereotypes that plague travel writing in order to tell an authentic and dynamic story.
Next, we'll dive deep into structure and craft. Whether you're writing a chapter in a memoir, a magazine feature, a letter, or deep captions for a photo essay, we'll cover the pillars of a solid travel story—curiosity, sense of place, a moment in time, local characters, rich context, narrative arc, sensory details—as well as techniques to illustrate it skillfully.
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This course is formatted as a one-day Zoom session to deep-dive into the craft of the travel essay, followed by material to guide you through the writing process at your own pace:​
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"Excavating the Travel Essay" E-book
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Custom worksheets with step-by-step instructions for writing a strong essay
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Essay critique: Each participant will have one month to write an essay and receive personalized feedback from me, along with a list of publications to submit to
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*One full scholarship is available for a promising writer with a background historically misrepresented or underrepresented in the travel writing genre. Apply here.
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Crafting the Perfect Pitch
What does it take to translate a good idea into an irresistible pitch? In this workshop we’ll learn how to get an editor to greenlight your pitch by covering the tenets of a solid story and matching it to the right publication. Whether you’re just starting or you’re a seasoned writer aspiring to bigger outlets, this course provides clear guidance on crafting effective pitches for quality publications.
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This workshop will survey methods for generating story ideas and tips to make them successful. We’ll cover the essential components of a pitch letter, from a catchy subject line, to a captivating hook, and a walk-off that leaves the editor wanting more. We’ll also discuss editor etiquette, navigating the assignment process, and how to land the best placement for your story.
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This course is formatted with a one-day Zoom session to deep-dive into crafting the perfect pitch, followed by material to guide you through the process at your own pace that includes:​
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"Crafting the Perfect Pitch" E-book
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Custom worksheets with step-by-step instructions to help you write a compelling pitch
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Pitch critique: Each participant will have one month to write a pitch for personalized feedback from me, along with a list of publications to submit to
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*One full scholarship is available. Apply here.
Weekly Coaching Circle
NEW!
!!LAUNCHING SOON!!
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Struggling with your writing process? Join me every week for a dose of affordable group coaching, support, and inspiration as we journey through the highs and lows of the creative process together. Each weekly 1-hour session provides structure and skills for improving your writing, submitting your work, and staying inspired. You’ll be able to deepen your writing practice each and every week with this helpful community. Registration opens in March. Click the button below to stay in the loop!
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