Writing Classes
I regularly teach multi-week courses in nonfiction, with a focus on memoir and the essay, at GrubStreet.
Some courses I've recently taught are Developing Your Personal Essay, Advanced Memoir Workshop and Advanced Revision and Submission Strategies. Generally running 8-12 weeks, these courses are designed to sharpen and deepen writers' narratives and their sense of the genre's possibilities through careful reading of published work, craft discussions, generative exercises and honest but supportive group workshops.
Occasionally I teach single-day seminars on more specific themes and craft topics like Writing Flash Essays, Writing the Provocative or The Politics of Food.
Additionally, I teach memoir and personal essay courses through Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshop and offer an asynchronous virtual course independently through Wet Ink.
The intrepid writers of Memoir in Progress, Spring 2016 (background), celebrating our final class with baked goods (foreground).
Photo credit: Shellie Rapson James
Upcoming Classes
Writing Group: Memoir and Personal Essay, 6 Thursdays starting April 18th, 6-7:30pm (via Zoom), GrubStreet
Student Feedback
"Excellent readings, very useful education in the craft, supportive but also critical feedback. I also felt nurtured and motivated by the email message each week reminding us of the assignment. And Dorian's full page critique of each essay was impressive and very useful. He really cares." - Anonymous student from "Going Deep," Arlington Community Ed.
"Dorian is an excellent instructor, who provides insightful and detailed feedback. He offers thought-provoking questions that stimulate class discussion and create an engaging classroom environment." - Jinna Halperin, Arlington, MA
A pensive moment while discussing personal essays at Arlington High. I promise I'm not always so serious.
Photo credit: Suzanne Carter