Creative Writing Classes in NYC, New York

Do you wish there was a place you could go for writing inspiration and practice? Where you could hang out with other writers? Without needing to make a long-term commitment or spend a lot of money? With food and drink involved? Gotham Write-Ins are that place. Here’s what happens. The teacher gives an interesting writing prompt. Everyone writes...

Are you eager to test the waters of creative writing but not sure where to start, or how? Have you written previously but been away for a while and hope to dip back in? Here you will be guided surely and safely into the writing life. There’s no pressure to work on a specific project or even settle on which type of creative writing you prefer. The...

Are you eager to test the waters of creative writing but not sure where to start, or how? Have you written previously but been away for a while and hope to dip back in? Here you will be guided surely and safely into the writing life. There’s no pressure to work on a specific project or even settle on which type of creative writing you prefer. The...

They say everyone has a story and this new writing class with Irish novelist Yvonne Cassidy will help you tell yours. Over the course of eight weeks, Yvonne will work with you to develop your story while you discover the fundamental tools of the craft of creative writing. Whether you want to write fiction, memoir, or about the lives of your Irish ancestors,...

Fiction is a wonderful conjuring act. With only words and the reader’s imagination, a work of fiction can sail across the world in pursuit of a whale, or time-travel to another dimension, or zero in on a few minutes in line at the local bank, enveloping the reader in a made-up story that feels real.  To pull off this feat requires a balance...

Nonfiction—pieces that spring from the real world—is everywhere. Magazines, newspapers, books, blogs, websites. And nonfiction has grown more diverse and creative than ever, embracing all styles from straight to zany to lyrical, encompassing every topic imaginable from schoolyard memories to a trek in Nepal to the creation of the universe. Here...

The quiet magic of Goodnight Moon grows into the zaniness of Dr. Seuss and widens into the dazzlement of Harry Potter then matures into the straight talk of Judy Blume and the gritty reality of The Outsiders. Such is the amazing journey children take through books. These stories are a treasured part of childhood and they linger for a lifetime. To...

If you're ready to share a bold statement but want to leave a more lasting impact than you might with a Facebook rant, join us to explore the art of satire writing. For people who love The Onion, Reductress, McSweeney's and even Shakespeare, this class will offer an introductory lesson in satire, complete with writing exercises to help you hone the...

This course gives you a firm grounding in the basics of fiction craft and gets you writing a short story (or two) or a novel. Course components: Lectures Writing exercises Workshopping of student projects (each student presenting work two times) Fiction I is for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Students must be...

As Rhett tells Scarlett in the movie Gone With the Wind, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” (In the book version, there’s no “frankly.”) Either way it’s a good line, and you should give a damn about your dialogue. Dialogue is crucial to any kind of story—fiction, nonfiction, any kind of script. Bad dialogue can sink it like a...

It is interesting to read a poem from the first century BC whose purpose was to “make Rome great again.” At that time Augustus, having recently won a decisive battle that ended the civil war, was determined to create a great work of propaganda, a national epic that would commemorate his victory and glorify Rome. But what happens when you pick...

Feature articles are the human side of journalism—pieces that go beyond the facts, exploring the world in a personal and compelling way. Such articles can examine virtually any topic, from the latest news to the newest trends to profiles of interesting people. And they can even grow into narrative nonfiction books. To succeed at features, you need...

Always wanted to write a book, but unsure how or where to start? Stuck on chapter four and searching for support? In our weekly sessions we'll discuss the bones of creating a successful manuscript including lessons on plotting, character development, setting, and more. We'll turn to examples from master novelists to light our way and write together...

Consider it the caviar of literature: tiny eggs with tremendous taste. Or the nitroglycerin: every drop explosive. Poetry's power has endured thousands of years, captivating the most passionate souls. If you hear mermaids singing or feel the winnowing wind or see the sun rising in ribbons, then you are one of these blissful few. To write excellent...

For people who have lived and worked and want to write about their childhood as well as their more recent past. Whether you are a published writer or last wrote in a childhood diary, you are welcome in this class. Mark Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word & the right word is the difference between lightning and lightning...