Intermediate Memoir - January 2023

This 10-week course is aimed at writers who are currently working on a draft of a book-length memoir or narrative essay collection or who are very serious about writing a memoir or essay collection. During class sessions, we will discuss key areas of developing a powerful book: finding one's theme or throughline; balancing showing vs. telling and situation vs. story; building powerful scenes; creating structure to keep your reader turning pages, and more. In addition, each student will have at least two opportunities to share 6-page excerpts of their work during in-class workshops.

Instructor: Judah Leblang is a storyteller, memoirist and writing teacher. His essays and commentaries have been broadcast throughout the US on more than 150 NPR and ABC-network radio stations, as well as several Canadian stations. He is a regular columnist for Bay Windows, Boston’s gay newspaper, and an instructor at Grub Street. The 2nd edition of his memoir, Finding My Place: One Man’s Journey from Cleveland to Boston and Beyond, was published in 2013. His new book Echoes of Jerry is about his Uncle Jerry, an orally-educated deaf man as well as Leblang's own struggles with his sexuality and trying to find his place in society, finally coming out in the mid-1980s. Clips of his performances and writing are at www.judahleblang.com.

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Details: Intermediate Memoir - January 2023 takes place Tuesdays January 10, January 17, January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21, February 28, March 7, and March 14 from 6:30-9pm remotely through Zoom.

Prerequisites: Emerging level or all levels memoir, nonfiction, or essay writing course.

Genre: Nonfiction/memoir

Level: Intermediate

Format: Craft workshop with generative writing outside of class and feedback during class.

Location: This class takes place remotely online via Zoom.

Size: Limited to 10 participants (including scholarships).

Suggested Sequence: Follow this class with an advanced level memoir, nonfiction, or essay writing course.

Scholarships: Two scholarship spots are available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. Apply by December 1.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the first class meeting to receive a full refund. Email info@litcleveland.org.

Registration Fee

$300 - Non-Member Registration

$200 - Registration with Member Discount

I'd also like to help out other writers with a donation to the Word for Word Scholarship Fund. (This fund provides low- and limited-income writers in NE Ohio with access to our classes)

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