Workshops
After teaching a variety of creative writing courses over the last few years, first at Ohio State University and then at Woodbury University, I began conducting my own writing workshops. Three to six weeks, online, and open to writers of any background.
The first was held in the autumn of 2022, and was such a positive experience that I immediately scheduled my next. These classes have been the highlight of my teaching career thus far. There is something uniquely wonderful about gathering with nine (relative) strangers, drawn together from around the world by a shared love for literature and community. This June, in celebration of Pride, I will be running a Pride Writing Extravaganza, with more information below. I hope you'll join me.
Imaginary Borders: Reading and Writing Alongside International Literature — 3 or 6 weeks
Whether we are conscious of it or not, the cultural traditions of which we are a part majorly shape the ways in which we approach narrative. This class seeks to decenter American modes of storytelling, focusing instead on international fiction in order to reconfigure our relationship to our work and, hopefully, inspire new pathways.
- Option 1 (3 weeks; Sept 6 - Sept 20; $175-$200 sliding scale): Here, we will read and discuss stories from Japan, Mexico, Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, France, and more, doing generative prompts based on those writings as we go.
- Option 2 (6 weeks; Sept 6 - Oct 18; $375-$400 sliding scale): After the initial weeks of reading, discussion, and prompts, participants in Option 2 will do a workshop. Everyone can expect thoughtful notes and conversation from myself and their fellow writers on their story. We will also have the opportunity to discuss publishing, MFA programs, and more.
Meetings occur on Zoom on Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST). Payment plans are welcome.
Interested in joining? Please email me at scottjbroker@gmail.com with any questions you have. By way of introducing yourself, I'd love to know the following about you:
1) What are you reading right now?
2) What are you currently working on, writing-wise?
3) Which workshop(s) are interested in?
Recent Classes
Here is a list of classes I have taught thus far, and will likely teach again. Please let me know if you'd like to be kept up to date with what's coming, or if you have any suggestions for future classes.
- General Fiction
- Literatures of Grief
- Queer Visions
- Writing the Unreal
- Hybrid Forms of Literature
- Sex Writing
- The Art of Flash Fiction
- Literary Horror
- Novel Openings
- Writing As Resistance
- The Art of Ekphrasis
- Ways of Reading Poetry
Testimonials
"Scott is a kind and sensitive person, and he manages the class with a lot of care for everyone present, with respect for our time, our capacity, and our learning objectives. He is one of the most serious and active readers I know, so he has a deep well of recommendations to draw from, across genres, styles, and subject matter. For my own writing, too, Scott is one of the best readers I've found, and I suspect other writers in the course would say the same thing."
"Scott's workshop was really great. As a teacher he is kind, thoughtful, and adept at facilitating conversation. He provided clear instructions for how to give feedback so we all had a shared understanding, which was really helpful. His own feedback on our stories was often clear and grounding, because he outlined ways to make small changes that would have a big effect, which made the revision process seem more approachable. Would highly recommend!"
"When I enrolled in Scott's class, I was looking for inspiration, acountability, and community in my writing practice, and I found all three, and so much more. The readings he assigned were always thoughtful and enriching, and made for really wonderful conversation and debate in our workshops. Scott cultivated such a wonderful group of writers, all with different backgrounds and styles, and made us all feel welcome, included, and encouraged. His notes were super smart, thorough, and ultimately incredibly instructive."
"Scott is one of the most wholesome and earnest instructors I have ever had. His emphasis on celebrating what is successful in an author's work is a great bed for making a new writer interested and passionate about the craft. A fantastic class for all levels, there are few places to engage more honestly that leaves me feeling as inspired to return to the page."
"Scott led us through readings the first few weeks, covering craft elements like character, tone, setting and dialogue, and encouraging us to write through prompts he provided. The second half of the course, we workshopped one another’s writing, and I learned an equal amount from the careful way that Scott assessed the writing of our class. I would take a class like this again in a heartbeat, and recommend it to anyone looking to enrich themselves as a writer."
"Scott is a wonderful, kind, and insightful facilitator! Would recommend this workshop if you are just starting out as a writer or if you have a particular work that you're hoping to develop with the help of a generous writing community!"
""I've participated in many fiction workshops, and this was by far the best."
"Scott has a knack for selecting thought provoking, instructive works that emphasize literary craft in all the dynamic and fascinating ways it can be deployed. He cultivates a kind, respectful and warm environment to discuss and learn all about the craft of writing. Finally, he’s designed a workshop that provides meaningful foundational information, and practical experience in the art of writing in an accessible and comprehensive manner. Great value, great instructor and great experience overall."
"Scott’s workshop was quite useful for me, as someone trying out fiction writing for the first time in many years. Our discussions about different craft elements gave me tools to use while writing, and I found the workshops to be a safe and invaluable setting for getting feedback. Scott brought an obvious wealth of knowledge and love of the craft that made me excited to show up each week."