Creative Nonfiction II
with Beth Slattery
Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Young Adult/Children's Lit, Essay
Online
Introductory
8 Sessions
This class is the second in a three-part series that can be completed over the course of a year. You may enroll at any point in the series; you do not need to complete Creative Nonfiction I to participate.Â
Ready to tell the nonfiction story thatâs been waiting inside you? This class is designed to help you find the true heart of your story and decide the best way to tell itâwhether itâs a personal essay, memoir, lyric essay, or a piece of literary journalism. Together, weâll explore techniques to strengthen your writing. We'll craft vivid scenes and sensory descriptions, build strong characters and authentic dialogue, and take a deeper dive into the revision process.Â
This class will continue developing your ability to read and respond to text in the writing workshop. You'll practice revising your work, playing with form and voice to further develop your piece. Â
Leave with a polished draft of up to 15 pages, complete with classmate and extensive instructor feedback, and a clear plan for future revisions. Â
Perfect for anyone interested in creative nonfiction, this class will empower you to transform your experiences into stories that captivate and resonate.Â
The next installment of this series, Creative Nonfiction III with Beth Slattery, will meet on Tuesdays, April 8 â June 10, 2025, 10:00 am â 12:00pm via Zoom.Â
What to expect:Â
- Generative Writing: students create new work during class or from assignments.Â
- Workshop: students submit work for critique from the teacher and class.Â
- Craft Discussion: teachers and students explore essential elements of the craft.Â
- Feedback from both peers and instructor.Â
- 2-3 hours of writing or reading outside of class.Â
Students say…Â
âBeth was extraordinarily generous with her time and availability, remarkably so. Her style is casual and accessible but also searingly insightful and instructive. Her sensitivity and humor made students feel at ease in taking big leaps.â Â
âI felt like Beth created a really safe and comfortable space to contribute and share â this was my first writing class, and first time sharing with anyone, and I feel really grateful for the atmosphere that Beth createdâ Â
âThis was my first time presenting my writing to people who a) know about writing and b) don't know me. It was scary but I felt so supported and encouraged by Beth throughout the journey. The workshops were wonderful and I especially enjoyed hearing her feedback on others' stories as well â just as helpful as on mine. And the texts she sent us to read and discuss were really wonderful. Mainly, I also felt that Beth was transparent and such a giving instructor â truly enjoyed her class and her teaching.âÂ
Registration Dates:Â
- November 19: Member registration opens at 10:30 am PTÂ Â Â
- November 26: General registration opens at 10:30 am PTÂ Â Â
- December 8: Last day of Early Bird discount Â
Beth Slattery
Beth Slattery moved to Seattle after eighteen years of teaching creative writing and literature at Indiana University East. Since her relocation, she has been writing and editing. Beth is currently working on a collection of personal essays about her mid-life marriage to a Zimbabwean, a move from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest, and a reluctant acceptance of the call to adventure. Her most recent publications appear in Assay: A Journal of Nonfiction Studies and Southern Womenâs Review. Bethâs recent editing work includes being a âbetaâ reader for an author with a multi-book publishing contract, content and copy editing of a personal essay collection, and providing comprehensive editing services on an edited academic volume that was later published by Oxford University Press. She has an M.A. in fiction writing from Miami University and an M.F.A. in creative nonfiction from the University of Southern MaineâStonecoast.
Describe your teaching style.
I'm a firm believer that we learn best when we discuss subjects, ask big questions (that sometimes don't have answers), and then apply that new knowledge (or questions) to our writing. In other words: we talk a lot; we write a lot. Added bonus: we have fun.
FAQ
Complete FAQEach class description includes a breakdown of what you can expect in terms of in-class activity, feedback, and homework (if any).Â
Generative means you’ll be generating new writing, either in class or at home between classes.
Workshop means you’ll be sharing work to be read and critiqued by your instructor and classmates and that you will also be critiquing the work of your peers.Â
Reading means you’ll be doing close reading of a work with an eye toward craft.Â
Craft discussion means you’ll be looking at the tools writers use to do that thing they do so well and then trying it out yourself.
Class levels are designed for various stages of the writing journey. Simply self-select the level that sounds best for where you’re at.Â
Introductory: This is your first creative writing workshop, first writing class since high school, or first foray into a new genre or form. Youâre looking to try something new, kickstart your writing, and/or establish yourself in the fundamentals.
Intermediate: You have a strong understanding of writing fundamentals and are eager to deep dive into craft. Youâre honing your writerly identity and voice through independent projects. In workshop, you look for constructive feedback and are ready to do writing and reading outside of class.
Advanced: Youâve written a significant body of work and have taken it through several stages of revision. Youâre getting ready to publish or are in the early stage of publishing, and youâre interested in refining the skills that will take you to the next level in the literary industry.
All Levels: You are any of the above and are looking to play with new possibilities.
You’ll get your class information, including Zoom link if applicable, three days before the first day of class.
If you register for a class within this three-day window and do not receive this information, please contact us at welcome@hugohouse.org Â
Write With Hugo House is our free monthly write-in program that takes place online via Zoom. Â
We also have payment plans available for most of our classes. These payment plans are available to all students. Additionally, we offer partial scholarships (covering up to 40% of class tuition) for students who meet our income guidelines. Â
Lastly, we announce flash sales, early bird periods, and special deals through our e-newsletter; sign up at the bottom of this page.Â
At this time, we offer payment plans on classes 4 sessions and up. To register for a payment plan, select âPay in installmentsâ on the class details page, select your preferred option, and proceed to add to cart usual. Â
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We charge a 5% nonrefundable administrative fee for all payment plans. This fee is based on total class cost.
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We are unable to hold seats for prospective payment plan students. Students will be enrolled once their first installment has been paid.Â
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If you need to cancel, Hugo House will issue refunds according to its cancellation and transfer policies. Your 5% nonrefundable admin fee will not be refunded.Â
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If you withdraw from a class after it begins, you will not receive a refund and are still responsible for paying the full course tuition.
Asynchronous classes are perfect for students that need flexibility!
During an asynchronous class, instructors release new lessons once per week. Students then have one week to complete that lesson and any accompanying coursework. Youâll learn as much as you would in a traditional class but with the flexibility to work at the best times for your schedule!
While there are no live sessions, asynchronous classes are still a lively and rigorous experience. Async classes are not static lessons but an adaptable and energetic community space. Be ready to work in a collaborative environment, giving and receiving feedback on your writing, participating in discussions, and growing your writing practice in a way that works best for you.
Asynchronous classes take place through the website Wet Ink. Students receive an invitation to the class and to set up a Wet Ink account on the start date of the class. Each week of the class, a new lesson will be available through the Wet Ink portal. Classes close two weeks after the end date, and students receive an email containing their content from the class when it closes.
Hugo House will only process refund requests that are submitted 5 days or more before the class start date. To request a refund, log in to your account, go to “My Account,” select the “Orders” tab on the left-hand side, click the appropriate order, and request a refund for your specific class. Administrative fees apply. Please see our full refund policy here.
To request a refund for class credit, please note such in the message section of your refund request.
In general, we do not record classes. However, an exception can be made with instructor approval if a student has specific access needs.
We encourage students to only sign up for classes that fit with their schedule. Â
We do not tolerate racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, transphobic or any other oppressive behaviors, regardless of who commits them. Please check out our full community guidelines by clicking here. If an instance of community guidelines are violated and not resolved within the classroom, students may let us know by filling out the student incident report.
If Hugo House needs to cancel a class for any reason, you’ll receive a full refund.
You can apply for a scholarship by clicking the red âRequest a Scholarshipâ text on class pages. The scholarship request text is located at the top of each class page, underneath the âadd to cartâ button.
Scholarship application dates can be found in our Academic Calendar.Â
Due to the limited number of scholarships, please only request up to two scholarships for two different classes per quarter if you truly meet the financial need requirements.
Hugo House members get to register early for classes – a full week before they open to the general public!, receive a 10% discount on events and classes, and more. See the full list of membership benefits here!
Donations of all sizes allow us to provide access to quality writing classes, events, and experiences for all. Please consider making a donation to Hugo House today.Â
If youâre interested in contributing your skills, Hugo House accepts volunteer applications for a variety of roles, including event support, administrative tasks, and more. Learn more on our Volunteer page.Â
Finally, becoming a member is an excellent way to support Hugo House and our mission.Â
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