“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.”
– Ernest Hemingway
Whether you’re a beginner, pro, or somewhere in between, we have the class for you.
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Creativity Released: Engage and Embolden Your Creative SelfWe all have the capacity to be creative, but many of us have faced voices (external and internal) that shut down those impulses. In this one-day class, you will participate in a range of exercises to engage and embolden your creative self...more
Instructor: Laura Atkins
April 281 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
Berkeley, CA -
Fertile Ground: A Creative Writing Workshop for Parents“We parents can tell our stories to friends and family members, share posts on Facebook and store zillions of photos on our phones, but how can we see ourselves, and our children, in fresh and surprising ways...more
Instructor: Katharine Harer
April 281 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
San Francisco, CA -
Writing for Recovery“The journey of recovery is the Hero’s Journey,” says instructor Alison Luterman. “We search for something outside ourselves, or we are chased by our own demons and run to escape. We go to Hell; we come back from Hell with some wisdom to offer the tribe...more
Instructor: Alison Luterman
May 051 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
Berkeley, CA -
To Begin at the Beginning: Intro to the Craft of Fiction“Big Secret Number One to writing fiction is that you have to make a mess. Many messes,” says instructor Steve Mitchel. “You have to throw truckloads of words down onto the page knowing full well that most of them will end up in the compost...more
Instructor: Steve Mitchel
May 09 - June 065 Wednesdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
San Francisco, CA -
Fearless Poetry WorkshopNow celebrating its 14th year at The Writing Salon, this workshop draws people who want to jumpstart their poetry practice and to keep the engine oiled. You’ll do plenty of writing and reading, and we’ll have lively discussions about both the craft and the process(es) of poetry...more
Instructor: Julie Bruck
May 10 - June 145 Thursdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
San Francisco, CA -
Chaos into Form: Writing the Personal Essay“Personal essay takes the messy unfiltered stuff of life and molds it into something of beauty, meaning, wisdom, and hopefully, a great story,” says instructor Gila Lyons...more
Instructor: Gila Lyons
May 12 - June 165 Saturdays2:00pm - 4:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Intro to Creative Writing: Fun with the Fundamentals“Everyone is talented, original and has something important to say,” states Brenda Ueland at the beginning of her celebrated book, If You Want to Write. “I happen to agree with Ueland,” says Elaine Beale. “And when I teach at The Writing Salon, I see her assertion proved again and again...more
Instructor: Elaine Beale
May 13 - June 175 Sundays10:30am - 1:00pm
Berkeley, CA -
Dream Big: A Workshop for Your Passion ProjectDo you have a big idea for a book? A novel? A project that scares, excites, or intimidates you that speaks from your heart? In Dream Big, you’ll learn and develop strategies to build the project that you want to write: fiction or non-fiction...more
Instructor: Jay Ridler
May 13 - June 175 Sundays7:00pm - 9:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
The Short Story LaboratoryEnjoy two and a half hours of creation and feedback each week with The Short Story Laboratory, a beginner class that teaches the basics of composing short stories and flash fiction in a fun and fast way...more
Instructor: Jay Ridler
May 14 - June 185 Mondays7:00pm - 9:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Intro to Creative Writing II: Continuing the JourneyIn this class, we’ll build our writing skills and techniques while also giving useful and supportive feedback on each other’s work. We’ll do focused writing exercises where we practice shaping compelling scenes, sharpening sensory imagery and details...more
Instructor: Katharine Harer
May 14 - June 185 Mondays7:00pm - 9:30pm
San Francisco, CA -
Presenting You: Techniques and Practice for Live ReadingsIf you’ve ever applauded wildly after a live reading and thought, “I wish I could do that” — or if you’ve ever suffered through a flat literary performance and thought, “I never want to do that” — then this is the class for you...more
Instructor: Daniel Ari
May 17 - June 073 Thursdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Get Energized: Strategies for Better Creative Writing in Any Genre“Good writing grabs our attention, compels us to keep reading, and transports us to other worlds and other lives,” says instructor Heather June Gibbons. “How can words alone make us feel so intensely, make us care so much about what happens next...more
Instructor: Heather June Gibbons
May 22 - June 195 Tuesdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
San Francisco, CA -
Daily Write June Round RobinJane Underwood had a unique vision when she developed the Round Robin class. By combining several elements—partnering, repetition, practice, feedback, and dedication—she created not just a writing course, but an actual community, one that has continued and grown for over a decade....more
Instructor: Kathy Garlick
June 03 - June 243 WeeksAll Day
Online -
Tiny Kingdoms: Writing and Publishing the VERY Short StoryBig things can come in small packages—their own perfect beauty tied to their size. The short short story is literary proof that great fiction can come in a small package...more
Instructor: Andy Touhy
June 091 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
San Francisco, CA -
How to Write Hollywood Screenplays That Sell (From Someone Who’s Actually Done It!)Instructor Phil Beauman says, “Before writing for In Living Color, writing the pilot for Nickelodeon’s Cousin Skeeter, and co-writing the first Scary Movie, I began my writing career here in the Bay Area at SFSU...more
Instructor: Phil Beauman
June 161 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
San Francisco, CA -
Daily Write Round RobinJane Underwood had a unique vision when she developed the Round Robin class. By combining several elements—partnering, repetition, practice, feedback, and dedication—she created not just a writing course, but an actual community, one that has continued and grown for over a decade....more
Instructor: Kathy Garlick
July 08 - September 028 WeeksAll Day
Online -
Starting Your Novel: Taking the First StepsWriting a novel can be a lonely business. It can also be pretty overwhelming when you’re doing it without guidance, input or support. If you want to start a novel or you’ve got a novel in progress, this class will provide you with the help you’ll need...more
Instructor: Elaine Beale
July 09 - August 065 Mondays7:00pm - 9:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Step-by-Step to Story: A Generative Short Story Workshop“Anne Lamott may have coined the phrase ‘Bird by Bird,’ but I like to think of writing stories as similar to building a house,” says instructor Rob Williams. “You don’t build it in a day, you build it Brick by Brick...more
Instructor: Rob Williams
July 09 - July 233 Mondays7:00pm - 9:30pm
San Francisco, CA -
Write from Real Life: Personal Essays & MemoirsIn this class you will plunge into the personal themes that make your real life stories uniquely yours. In the first half of this class, instructor Alison Luterman will give you writing exercises carefully designed to elicit the undertones and overtones that elevate events and anecdotes into the realm of art...more
Instructor: Alison Luterman
July 10 - September 049 Tuesdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Writing a Story Kids Want to Read: Creating the Juvenile Novel“Writing fiction for young people means first understanding what makes a strong story,” says instructor Maxine Rose Schur. “If you have an idea for a story or have already begun writing one, this is the class for you...more
Instructor: Maxine Rose Schur
July 10 - August 075 Tuesdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
San Francisco, CA -
Fiction Workshop: Build & Refine Your Storytelling SkillsWhen we read good stories they tend to endure in our hearts as touchstones that enrich our understanding of the world. We’ve all had the experience of reading something we like and wondering how the author developed such a breathtaking idea, with such compelling characters, and brought it to fruition...more
Instructor: Cary Groner
July 11 - September 059 Wednesdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Polish Your Prose: Lyric EssaysThe lyric essay has become a highly popular genre, appearing in a breadth of markets from journalism to the personal essay. But what is it precisely? Poetic essay, essayistic poem, both, or neither...more
Instructor: Lyzette Wanzer
July 11 - August 085 Wednesdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
San Francisco, CA -
Getting Your Toes Wet: An Introduction to Memoir WritingDo you feel you have a story inside you, but you’re a little leery of getting thrown in the deep end? In this class, you’ll gently wade into the vast sea of memories and experiences you’ve been carrying around for your whole life...more
Instructor: Alison Luterman
July 12 - August 095 Thursdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Raw Writing: Generating New Material“Often we have to make nonsense before we make sense,” says instructor Heather June Gibbons. “When we allow ourselves to not know, to play and romp and even run amok, to release instead of control, to write fast and get messy, not only do we have fun and surprise ourselves, we find our true material...more
Instructor: Heather June Gibbons
July 12 - August 095 Thursdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
San Francisco, CA -
Creative Writing Boot CampScared to start writing? Need a burst of enthusiasm to work through writer’s block? Not sure if you want to do nonfiction, fiction, or something avant-garde? Then look no further, because Jay Ridler has got your back...more
Instructor: Jay Ridler
July 141 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
Berkeley, CA -
Writing as Healing: Putting One Bead after AnotherThis class is intended for both new and experienced writers who value writing as self-exploration and fine art and who want to begin or deepen their own writing practice. Within a supportive setting, class participants will be encouraged to take risks with their work and to share the gifts of self-discovery and transformation with a larger community...more
Instructor: Kathleen McClung
July 141 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
San Francisco, CA -
Intro to Creative Writing“Each of us has a story to tell, but finding the words and voice for that story is an art and craft specific to each individual,” says instructor Kathy Garlick. “This class is designed for writers who may be uncovering and sharing that story for the first time...more
Instructor: Kathy Garlick
July 15 - August 125 Sundays2:00pm - 4:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Memoir Master ClassThe focus of the workshop is to encourage and guide experienced writers in creating, revising, and potentially publishing short, stand-alone works of memoir...more
Instructor: Kathleen McClung
July 15 - September 166 Sundays2:00pm - 5:00pm
San Francisco, CA -
Write-a-Thon: Get Primed, Get Prompted, Get WritingWrite-a-Thon is designed to get you stringing words together in a supportive group of other writers while facilitator Daniel Ari offers gentle guidance and a variety of prompts and exercises...more
Instructor: Daniel Ari
July 15 - September 093 Sundays6:00pm - 8:00pm
Berkeley, CA -
Screenwriting Master ClassAre you actively working on a screenplay or have a story in mind that could make a great feature film or TV series? Maybe you’ve written a treatment or started on the first draft, but now you find it hard to keep it moving forward. This class will provide the instruction, inspiration, and community to help you accomplish your screenwriting goals...more
Instructor: Kate Montgomery
July 27 - December 146 Fridays7:00pm - 9:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Plot & Structure: The Big PictureThis one-day workshop is designed for writers who want to better understand how to develop a coherent plot that engages the reader and a structure that brings a story to life. The class will cover key concepts such as story arc, causality, flashbacks, plot twists and revelations...more
Instructor: Elaine Beale
July 281 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
Berkeley, CA -
Get Energized: Strategies for Better Creative Writing in Any Genre“Good writing grabs our attention, compels us to keep reading, and transports us to other worlds and other lives,” says instructor Heather June Gibbons. “How can words alone make us feel so intensely, make us care so much about what happens next...more
Instructor: Heather June Gibbons
July 281 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
San Francisco, CA -
Creative Writing Workshop: The Process Is EverythingThis online creative writing workshop will enable class members to deepen reflection on their own work, receive focused feedback from classmates and instructor, and inspire development toward class members’ finest hopes for their writing projects...more
Instructor: Kathy Garlick
July 29 - September 096 WeeksAll Day
Online -
Screenwriting Boot Camp“The best way to learn anything is to DO it,” says instructor Kate Montgomery. “In this daylong boot camp, you’ll get the chance to throw yourself into the mix, to pick up screenwriting basics and apply them right away...more
Instructor: Kate Montgomery
August 041 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
Berkeley, CA -
So You Think You’d Like to Write: Let’s Get Started!“Do you have the urge to write, but no clues about how to start? Or maybe you’ve been working on a piece of writing, but suddenly you’re stuck? Well, this one-day workshop is all about getting started...more
Instructor: Katharine Harer
August 041 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
San Francisco, CA -
Your Story, Your Life: Intro to Memoir & Personal Essays“By writing memoir and personal essays, we give form to our histories and make something of meaning and beauty that is uniquely ours,” says instructor Katharine Harer. “I love this genre because you can be yourself, complete with your idiosyncrasies, strong opinions, flashes of wisdom and crazy moments...more
Instructor: Katharine Harer
August 06 - September 105 Mondays7:00pm - 9:30pm
San Francisco, CA -
Sweet Talk: The Joy of Writing Dialogue“Whether you write fiction, memoir or nonfiction, the same rule applies: when your dialogue clicks, your story springs to life,” says instructor Kerry Muir...more
Instructor: Kerry Muir
August 111 Saturday10:00am - 4:00pm
Berkeley, CA -
Let’s Begin Here: Approaching Craft in Fiction Through Character, Dialogue & SceneIn order to write, one must read constantly, observe the world well, and take seriously the craft of writing. During this five-week course, we will focus on the last of these, the craft of writing...more
Instructor: Lori Ostlund
August 11 - September 155 Saturdays10:30am - 1:00pm
San Francisco, CA -
Intro to Creative Writing“Each of us has a story to tell, but finding the words and voice for that story is an art and craft specific to each individual,” says instructor Kathy Garlick. “This class is designed for writers who may be uncovering and sharing that story for the first time...more
Instructor: Kathy Garlick
August 11 - September 155 Saturdays2:00pm - 4:30pm
San Francisco, CA -
Memoir as Love Letter“Who would you communicate with if you could reach across time and space?” asks instructor Kerry Muir. “A child yet to be born, a beloved friend, a parent now gone? Our prose takes on a strikingly intimate quality when we write with a specific recipient in mind...more
Instructor: Kerry Muir
August 13 - August 273 Mondays7:00pm - 9:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Ace Your MFA ApplicationHave you thought about enrolling in a Creative Writing MFA program, but feel overwhelmed by the application process? Do you wonder how to make your application rise to the top in a stack of fierce competitors...more
Instructor: Lyzette Wanzer
August 15 - September 125 Wednesdays7:00pm - 9:00pm
San Francisco, CA -
Limitation as Inspiration: A Generative Poetry Writing Class“Poets in every stage of their career, and often on a regular basis, struggle with where and how to start a poem,” says instructor Brian Tierney. “I’ve found that creating boundaries for the writing process is a good way to spark inspiration and creativity...more
Instructor: Brian Tierney
August 16 - September 135 Thursdays7:00pm - 9:30pm
Berkeley, CA -
Poetry Revision 1-2-3: Working Together & Alone“To established and fledgling writers alike, revising can feel even more intimidating than staring at a blank page,” says instructor Brian Tierney. But in order to evolve a first draft toward its fullest realization, a poet must step back and re-read, re-evaluate, and retool: in other words, revise...more
Instructor: Brian Tierney
August 19 - September 162 Sundays10:00am - 1:00pm
San Francisco, CA -
Embracing the Hush Hour: Deepen Your Poetry PracticeThe goal of this intimate 8-session class is for each person to finish a handful of new poems for potential publication. We’ll be drafting or revising a poem in between each class meeting; plan to complete 4-8 new works by the end of the class in November. Along the way we’ll share constructive feedback...more
Instructor: Kathleen McClung
August 24 - November 308 Fridays6:00pm - 8:00pm
San Francisco, CA