Yearlong in Short Story
with Ramon Isao
Genres: Short Story
In Person
Open to all levels
30 Sessions
The short story remains arguably the best medium through which fiction writers hone their craft. In this class, that's precisely our aim. We'll read, write, discuss, and critique short fiction with equal parts rigor and vigor. Ours isn't some dry, lifeless affair—fiction is too good for that. Instead, expect lively exchanges of ideas, stimulating writing prompts, literary experiments, and occasional baked goods. Also, expect mind-blowing readings from George Saunders, Zadie Smith, Carmen Maria Machado, Ottessa Moshfegh, and many more.
Payment plans are available for this class. Please email education@hugohouse.org to get a payment plan started.
Guest speaker: Heather Monley, O. Henry Award-winning short story writer
Syllabus: View sample syllabus here
No class dates: 10/31/2023, 12/19/2023, 12/26/2023, 1/2/2024, 1/9/2024, 4/2/2024, 4/9/2024
Registration dates:
August 7: Scholarship Donation Day
August 8: Member registration opens at 10:30 am
August 15: General registration opens at 10:30 am
August 21: Last day of Early Bird pricing
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CLASS FAQS WITH INSTRUCTOR RAMÓN ISAO
Who is this class best suited for? How much writing experience do I need to take this class?
All levels are welcome! In seven years of teaching the class, I've had many students who have never written a story and many students who are more seasoned. The class is structured so that everyone can get plenty out of the experience. It's part of what makes the class interesting.
What will I learn over the course of this yearlong?
Jim Krusoe says that writing has three steps: Play, Look, and Fix. In this class, we'll go over the multitude of methods and practices of writing drafts (play), noticing what could be improved (look), and coming up with a plan of how to make it better (fix)., and figuring out ways to make it even better. Along the way we'll not only study elements of crafting good fiction, but putting those elements into practice, one by one, to make sure you can use them in your own writing.
What's the balance of in-class generative writing, lecture, and workshop?
Almost every week, we'll read one or two stories from classmates for whom we'll write and deliver constructive feedback. We'll often discuss an assigned reading. In addition, we'll go over an element of writing and practice its usage through prompts, and weird literary experiments.
How much time outside of class will I need for this class each week?
I'd say anywhere from 1-4 hours
How much feedback will I receive on my work, peer, or instructor?
You will submit at least 3 full stories for feedback from myself, and your peers, in workshop. Outside of workshop, we will also be sharing work in the form of literary experiments, or "prompts."
Who will we be reading?
As we progress through the class, I'll assign readings that get us talking and that highlight some techniques we can use in our own writing. These will likely include George Saunders, Sandra Cisneros, Carmen Maria Machado, Zadie Smith, Ottessa Moshfegh, Jamaica Kincaid, Donald Barthelme, Bryan Washington, Yukiko Motoya, Percival Everett, and so many more.
Ramon Isao
Ramón Isao is a recipient of the Tim McGinness Award for Fiction, as well as fellowships from Artist Trust and Jack Straw Cultural Center. His stories appear in such journals as The Iowa Review, Ninth Letter, Moss, and Hobart, and his screen credits include ZMD and Dead Body. He holds an MFA from Columbia University and serves as Fiction Editor at New Orleans Review.
FAQ
Complete FAQEach class description includes a breakdown of what you can expect in terms of in-class activity, feedback, and homework (if any).
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.
Reading means you’ll be doing close reading of a work with an eye toward craft.
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.
Introductory: This is your first creative writing workshop, first writing class since high school, or first foray into a new genre or form. You’re 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. You’re 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: You’ve written a significant body of work and have taken it through several stages of revision. You’re getting ready to publish or are in the early stage of publishing, and you’re 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.
Write With Hugo House is our free monthly write-in program, operated in partnership with the Seattle Public Library. Two take place onsite at SPL locations, one takes place online.
Sliding-scale classes are offered every quarter. Find them in our Class Catalog.
We announce flash sales, early bird periods, and special deals through our e-newsletter; sign up at the bottom of this page.
At this time, we offer payment plans on classes 8 sessions and up. Email education@hugohouse.org with the name of the class you’re interested in to set up a payment plan.
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We charge a 5% nonrefundable administrative fee for all payment plans.
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Extended payment plans up to 8 monthly installments and 16 semi-monthly installments are available upon request.
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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.
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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.
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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. You’ll 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 business 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.
In general, we do not record classes. However, an exception if a student has specific access needs.
We encourage students to only sign up for classes that fit with their schedule.
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If Hugo House needs to cancel a class for any reason, you’ll receive a full refund.
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