CHARLOTTE WORKSHOPS

Register for classes via a mail-in form or via PayPal!

These classes, for any level writer, meet at Providence Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.  Registration is in advance only, by mail or at our website. Financial aid in exchange for volunteering is available.

Workshop registrations are refundable until a week before the workshop date.  We are unable to refund payments for special events such as retreats.

For more information, contact writersw@gmail.com / 828-254-8111.

 

Jan. 28:  How to Edit and Revise Your Own Work with Karen Ackerson

Writers of fiction or non-fiction will learn how to edit and revise their own works, before submitting to an agent or publisher.  Techniques will be taught on how to grab the reader’s interest by eliminating unnecessary details, building tension, and fine-tuning dialogue and descriptions. Students may bring five pages (double-spaced) to the class for discussion. Karen Ackerson is Senior Editor at the Renbourne Agency, and has edited over 200 stories, novels and memoirs.

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm.  $75/$70 members.

 

Feb. 4:  Fiction Writing Workshop with Dale Neal

Writers of short fiction and novels will learn new writing tips, and will engage in writing exercises to create  attention-getting stories. Students may bring up to 5 pages, double-spaced, for review. Dale Neal holds an MFA in creative writing from Warren Wilson College.  His first novel, Cow Across America, won the 2009 Novello Literary Award and was shortlisted for Foreword Novel of the Year. His short stories have appeared in Arts & Letters, North Carolina Literary Review, Carolina Quarterly and elsewhere. He is an editor and columnist at the Asheville Citizen-Times. 

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm. $75/$70 members.

 

 Feb. 18:  Writing Your Life with Richard Krawiec

In this supportive writing-intensive class, participants will learn how to draw on the “material” of your life to write and revise memoirs, stories, or plays. Elements covered include time compression and expansion, how to focus on theme, recognizing your purpose, and developing your piece professionally. Krawiec is the author of numerous books and poems such as “Breakdown: A Father’s Story”, “She Hands Me the Razor”, “Faith in What?”, and “Time Sharing”. His work is published in Shenandoah,   Florida Review, and North Carolina Literary Review, among others.

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm. $75/$70 members.

 

March 3: Writing and Producing the Screenplay with Nathan Ross Freeman

The class will receive an overview of writing for the screen, and how to produce, direct and distribute a film of your script. Various formats, structures and techniques will be discussed, as well as tips on creating interesting characters and realistic dialogue. Students may bring a screenplay idea or synopsis to the class for review. Freeman has written and produced the independent feature films, “Mr. Bones” and “Authoring Action”. He won the ‘97 N.C. Arts Council Fellowship for Hannah Elias, and the ‘05 Great Lakes Film Festival Screenplay Contest for Geist.

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm. $75/$70 members.

 

March 31:  How to Self-Publish, Market & Promote Your Book with Peggy DeKay

Whether you are a published author or writing your first book, this class will give you a comprehensive guide to making money by self-publishing. The class will cover everything from creating a manuscript on your PC to selling your book on Amazon and in bookstores - the smart and profitable way. Tips will be given on how to use print-on-demand technology and CreateSpace to publish and sell your book. DeKay is the author of Self-Publishing for Virgins, and teaches seminars throughout the Southeast.

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm. $75/$70 members.

 

April 21:  From Inspiration to Publication:  Poetry and the Writing Process with Scott Owens

Beginning and experienced poets will learn new methods of writing, revising and publishing poetry. Class discussion will focus on the writing process, from generative strategies to the revision process and beyond. Participants may bring up to 3 poems to the class for review. Owens is the author of 10 collections of poetry, and editor of Wild Goose Poetry Review. He is Vice President of the Poetry Council of N.C., and Founder of “Poetry Hickory”. 

Meets Saturday, 12-5 pm. $75/$70 members.

 

May 17-20:  WRITERS’ RETREAT AT FOLLY BEACH, SC

Join us for our bi-annual writers’ retreat at Folly Beach, near Charleston, SC - an ideal place to relax, write and review each other’s work.  Daily sessions in fiction and non-fiction writing will be led by Karen Ackerson, Director of The Writers’ Workshop. We stay at an old-timey beach house across from the ocean. Rates are $395 for a private room, or $345 shared. Carpooling from Asheville is available. The registration deadline is March 25 with a deposit of $200.