Class Catalog

There’s a class for everyone.

Long-time writer or just getting started? Writing an epic poem or a short story? Whoever you are and wherever your passions lie—if you want to write, there’s a Hugo House class for you. Explore our catalog and find yours.

When we say we want our classes to be for everyone, we mean it.

Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, The Writing Life, Memoir, Novel, Short Story, Essay

Writing Beyond the Five Senses

Instructor: Sarah Dalton. This two-class craft intensive will read and explore the complexity of human sense perception, with writing exercises that practice traditional senses and also explore beyond the big five.

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Level: Open to all levels
Length: 2 sessions
Start: June 3, 2023 , 10:00am PT
Format: In Person
Poetry, The Writing Life, Memoir, Novel, Short Story, Essay, Fiction, Nonfiction

Your Playful Inner Child: A Muse for Creative Writing

Instructor: Kimberly Lee. Invite play into your writing! Through unusual and imaginative writing exercises, we'll engage all of our senses, experiencing a shift in perspective that will open doorways of inspiration. 

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Level: Introductory, Intermediate
Length: 1 session
Start: June 7, 2023 , 5:00pm PT
Format: Online
Nonfiction, The Writing Life

Organizational Storytelling

Instructor: Rachel Werner. For writers who also work as arts administrators, copywriters, or digital content creators, this workshop will develop creative communication strategies utilizing fiction techniques and elements of storytelling.

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Level: Open to all levels
Length: 1 session
Start: June 8, 2023 , 5:00pm PT
Format: Online
Nonfiction, The Writing Life, Essay

Freelance Going Pro

Through guided and practical exercises, this course will give you the confidence to turn your art into a long-term, successful business.

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Level: Open to all levels
Length: 12 sessions
Start: July 2, 2023 , 12:00am PT
Format: Online Asynchronous
Essay, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, The Writing Life, Memoir, Novel, Short Story

Writer’s Welcome Kit

This asynchronous course features online workbooks, including ten essential templates in Word and Excel to kickstart your writing life, and resources professional writers use to get published.

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Level: Open to all levels
Length:
Start: July 2, 2023 , 12:00am PT
Format: Online Asynchronous
Nonfiction, Reading, The Writing Life

The First Fifty Pages of Your Memoir

Instructor: Katherine E. Standefer. This class will excavate the ways authors set up their primary tensions, structures, voice, and more, coming to understand the craft choices that propel a narrative.

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Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Length: 6 sessions
Start: July 5, 2023 , 5:00pm PT
Format: Online
Poetry, The Writing Life, Fiction, Nonfiction

Writing for McSweeney’s

Instructor: Jeff Bender. This class will take students through converting pet peeves and bizarre thoughts into short satire pieces like the ones seen in McSweeney’s.

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Level: Open to all levels
Length: 6 sessions
Start: July 10, 2023 , 5:00pm PT
Format: Online
The Writing Life

Query Letter Bootcamp

Instructor: Lindsay Newton. Appropriate for any writer with a complete manuscript or proposal, this course will examine successful letters and in-house acquisitions materials; students will walk away with a ready-to-send query letter.

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Level: Advanced
Length: 4 sessions
Start: July 11, 2023 , 5:00pm PT
Format: Online
The Writing Life

TikTok for Writers

Instructor: Theo Nestor. Learn the essentials of creating and sharing TikToks and explore the ways writers are connecting with readers on the app.

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Level: Introductory
Length: 1 session
Start: July 11, 2023 , 5:00pm PT
Format: Online
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, The Writing Life

Get Invited to Read Your Work at Literary Conferences

Instructor: Lyzette Wanzer. This workshop offers information, guidance, and strategies for writers ready to present their work at a professional writers' conference.

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Level: Intermediate
Length: 4 sessions
Start: July 12, 2023 , 5:00pm PT
Format: Online
The Writing Life, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry

What Happens After You Write? Understanding Your Publishing Choices

Instructor: Beth Jusino. Take an unbiased, unvarnished look at current publishing options and how to approach them, examining the pros and cons of each choice, realistic costs, income potential and more.

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Level: Introductory, Intermediate
Length: 1 session
Start: July 15, 2023 , 1:10pm PT
Format: In Person
Nonfiction, The Writing Life, Novel, Fiction

Finishing Your Book

Instructor: Peter Mountford. For anyone struggling to finish their book, with discussions on revision, productivity, and the business of finding an agent/publisher.

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Level: Open to all levels
Length: 8 sessions
Start: July 17, 2023 , 12:00am PT
Format: Online Asynchronous
Essay, Nonfiction, The Writing Life, Memoir

Personal Essay Writing for Non-Writers & Newbies

Instructor: Natalie Serianni. In this introductory class, students will read and discuss personal essays, write to small prompts, and share their work in a supportive workshop environment.

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Level: Introductory
Length: 4 sessions
Start: July 18, 2023 , 5:00pm PT
Format: Online
The Writing Life, Memoir, Nonfiction

How to Write an Overview of Your Memoir

Instructor: Theo Nestor. Learn how to craft spectacular overviews that can be adapted for query letters, book proposals and more.

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Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Length: 1 session
Start: July 18, 2023 , 5:00pm PT
Format: Online
The Writing Life

FREE | Promote Like a Pro: A PR Cheat Sheet for Writers

Instructor: Rachel Werner. This workshop teaches writers how to promote published work(editing, beta reading, book reviews). We’ll discuss which digital platforms to utilize; how to simplify content creation; and marketing via book events and more.

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Level: Open to all levels
Length: 1 session
Start: July 19, 2023 , 5:00pm PT
Format: Online
The Writing Life

Application Help: MFA, PhD, and Fellowship

Instructor: Taneum Bambrick. This generative course will help demystify application processes for graduate programs and creative writing fellowships by including sample statements of purpose, CVs, and more.

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Level: Open to all levels
Length: 1 session
Start: July 20, 2023 , 10:00am PT
Format: Online
Poetry, The Writing Life

Secrets to Publishing Poems in the Best Journals

Instructor: Janée J. Baugher. This one-day class will aim to demystify the question, "What do poetry editors really want?" 

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Level: Open to all levels
Length: 1 session
Start: July 29, 2023 , 10:00am PT
Format: Online
Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, The Writing Life

Narrative Reclamation for People of Color

Instructor: Zain Shamoon. This class is dedicated to the role of storytelling in finding relief from distress; students will learn how to use storytelling for personal and communal reclamation.

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Level: Open to all levels
Length: 2 sessions
Start: July 29, 2023 , 1:10pm PT
Format: Online
The Writing Life

Kid-Lit Publishing 101

Instructor: Joy McCullough. Learn the querying, submission, and publication processes of kid-lit publishing.

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Level: Introductory
Length: 1 session
Start: August 5, 2023 , 1:10pm PT
Format: Online
The Writing Life

Getting Your Word Out: Submitting, Publishing, & Marketing Your Writing

Instructor: Holly Day. In this fast-paced workshop, we'll discuss market lists, basic manuscript format, the pros and cons of working with agents, writing book proposal and nonfiction queries and more!

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Level: Open to all levels
Length: 1 session
Start: August 27, 2023 , 10:00am PT
Format: Online