(Psst! Enrolment for the January 2022 Story Intensive is now open, with an early-bird discount available until December 12, 2021. This session will run from January 4 to May 27, 2022.)
As a past instructor for Sarah Selecky Writing School, I was delighted to discover the school will be hosting its first-ever winter session of The Story Intensive—a semester-long course, in a virtual classroom, which combines writing craft with mentorship, structure, feedback, and accountability. In the words of Canadian author and writing-school founder Sarah Selecky . . .
“The Story Intensive gives you the intensity and intimacy of an MFA semester without the decades of debt and heartbreaking critique.”
I couldn’t agree more. As a young person, I knew the heartbreak of not making it in the cutthroat world of university writing programs. However, after discovering Sarah’s course and enjoying being part of the SSWS teaching community, my writing has flourished. I’ve since published short fiction in a number of literary journals, have secured several writing grants from my provincial arts council, and have gone on to transfer my writing skills into a side gig as a freelance writer and editor. I chalk this up to the SSWS community and learning materials fostering creativity and growth, as opposed to academic programs that have a more survival-of-the-fittest feel.
The Story Intensive is usually offered just once annually, during the fall semester. If you’re like me and relish the thought of funnelling your New Year’s energy into a writing practice that’s structured, inspiring, and fruitful, this course may be a great fit for you.
No matter whether you see yourself as an aspiring, emerging, or seasoned writer, The Story Intensive is flexible and suitable for any level. Though the course focuses specifically on writing short fiction, the principles and techniques learned are transferrable to any type of creative writing.
There’s so much packed into this course, it’s difficult to stick to a short list. However, here’s a summary of just some of the things you can expect when you join The Story Intensive:
- a small, handpicked class of likeminded writers, with whom you’ll connect and grow throughout the semester
- a devoted, experienced instructor, who offers feedback, guidance, and accountability
- lifelong access to The Story Course writing curriculum, which includes comprehensive lessons that cover a number of aspects of creative writing (inspiration, character, plot, dialogue, etc.) as well as selected readings
- live check-in video calls every other week
- a virtual, interactive classroom (allowing you to build your schedule around other commitments)
- two group mentoring calls with Sarah Selecky
- access to a library of “Mind Share” masterclasses with celebrated authors, such as Margaret Atwood, George Saunders. Eden Robinson, Neil Smith, and Ann Patchett (Winter 2022 guest teacher to be announced soon!)
- regular feedback on your writing, designed to build you up and help you grow as a writer
- a free one-year membership to the Centered program—a separate online program designed to keep you connected to your reading and writing and to a writing community
To learn more, visit Sarah Selecky Writing School’s page The Story Intensive. This page provides a comprehensive outline of what to expect with the course.
Ready to invest in your writing in 2022?
If so, click here for registration, including a payment plan option. (Using this affiliate link will provide me with a small commission, which helps cover administrative costs at Write it Sideways.)
Sarah Selecky Writing School has a roster of phenomenal instructors, but the number of instructors is always dependent on the number of student enrolments. Students are able to request a specific instructor (though, because class sizes need to be considered, there are no guarantees). If you’d like to work with me in Winter 2022, please consider making this request at the time of enrolment.
Have questions about the course? Feel free to ask in the comments, or click on “Contact” (in the menu) to email me.
