Intro to Fiction: Online

Class Description

If there’s a story you want to tell, but you have no idea where to begin (or you need a refresher), this course is for you. This fully asynchronous but highly collaborative course is designed to help students reflect on and improve their writing ​through production, review, and revision of original, creative pieces. Each week, we will focus on a different aspect of fiction––like plot and character––and discuss published short stories from a diverse range of ethnicities, races, genders, countries, traditions, and time periods. Authors may include Colson Whitehead, Rajesh Parameswaran, Karen Russell, and Octavia E. Butler, among others. We’ll put what we learn into practice through weekly exercises and writing prompts, and in the second half of class, you will have the opportunity to submit a full short story to receive feedback from the instructor and your fellow writers, to help you get a sense of what your strengths are, and how to build on them. All forms of fiction are welcome from literary to fantasy to young adult.

In addition to writing, students will be encouraged to attend one virtual writing event, such as a reading, lecture, or community literacy event and share their experience with the group. This is optional, but encouraged!

By the end of class, you’ll not only be versed in the fundamentals, but you’ll walk away with a completed story, as well as invaluable peer and instructor feedback to guide your revision.

*Please note that while our handy dandy "Schedule" tab states a 6-7pm class time, there are actually no live meetings for this class! Assignments and deadlines will be given by your instructor. Students will have access to the online class portal starting at 5pm on the first day of class. Instructions for logging onto the online portal will be emailed to registered students before 5pm the first day of class.

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.