from September 9, 2023 to September 30 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (except September 23)

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Creative nonfiction is a broad genre that includes personal essays, memoir, humor, portraits/profiles, nature and travel writing, journalism (popular, long form, and literary), observational or descriptive reports, general-interest criticism, writing about, for, and with communities—and more. Pieces typically mix the factual and the highly personal, marrying research, memory, the poetic, and the playful.

Dig deep into writing and publishing strategies as you craft a piece and move it closer to publication. Students in this “intermediate” course will write together, workshop each other’s drafts, and discuss the elements of writing that make for evocative and meaningful nonfiction. A course for nonfiction writers with some experience who are ready to dig into and develop a single writing project. Students in this course will meet for three consecutive Saturdays and a 45 minute one-on-one coaching session with the instructor outside of these three weeks.

It is recommended, but not required, that students have previously taken either Storytelling or Lifewriting with Dr. LaFrance.

Please bring a journal/notebook/pen or laptop/iPad, and your most creative self.

About Michelle: Michelle LaFrance (Ph.D., University of Washington, 2009) is a feminist critical ethnographer, who teaches courses on community writing, feminist methodologies, writing studies, and critical pedagogy. Michelle has published on institutional ethnography, the materialities of academic labor, e-portfolios, e-research, and writing center pedagogy. Her current work has her participating in urban communities, studying discourses of volunteerism and belonging, and treating the evolution of research practice and sensibilities in Writing Studies.

In 2021, Dr. LaFrance was awarded the College Composition and Communication Research Impact award for her book, Institutional Ethnography: A Theory of Practice for Writing Studies Researchers (USUP 2019). This book was also awarded “Honorable Mention” in the 2021 Best Book category from the International Writing Across the Curriculum Association.

A minimum of 4 students is required for the class to occur. Students will be notified if the minimum is not met. Please note that registration ends at 10 am the morning of the class.

If you need assistance registering, please check out these step-by-step instructions, video tutorial or call (202) 549-4172 for assistance.