MY COURSES

How to Write Short Stories and
Get Them Published

Class sessions include instructor lectures, discussions, written exercises, and Q&A. Homework includes writing one short story and preparing submission materials.

At the end of each session, learners will be able to:

Session 1

Identify the types of stories they wish to write, identify one or more publishing goals for their stories, and list actions they need to take to achieve their goals.

Session 2

Write a short story between 300 and 600 words and edit the story to conform to the basic practices.

Session 3

Revise their short story to better engage readers.

Session 4

Offer critique comments which conform to the guidelines during a practice, in-class writing critique exercise and evaluate and use the suggestions to improve their story.

Session 5

Identify three potential markets for their story and prepare packages for submitting their story to those markets.

Full Course

10-hour course delivered in 5 two-hour lessons

Taught for OLLI at SOU via Zoom in 2021 and at Campbell Center in Ashland, OR in 2022

(Check back later for availability in 2023)

"Lite" Course

Streamlined version of the course

Presented at libraries

Free of charge

Upcoming presentations at Josephine Community Library:

Illinois Valley branch –January 21, 2023

Grants Pass branch – January 28, 2023

 

Presentations

Short presentations of interest to writers and readers

Free of charge

        How Authors Make Characters Come Alive

        Write What You Know—You’d Be Surprised What Authors Know

        Why Fiction Writers Do So Much Research

        Quality Fiction—What It Is and How Authors Deliver It

In person if you have a venue in Rogue Valley, OR, or via Zoom elsewhere

(Contact me for presentations for your book club, writing group, or other organization.)