Description
Personal Essay
Develop, write, edit, and publish!
Got a personal story you’ve always wanted to tell? Need help getting started? Join us for this hands-on introduction to developing, writing, and submitting the personal essay.
What is the personal essay? A first-person narrative prose piece somewhere between 900 and 1,500 words, the personal essay is a staple of many publications and a particular sweet spot for a lot of writers. It offers a rich opportunity for getting your work seen and published, from smaller literary journals to some of the more popular guest writer slots (Huffpost, The New York Times, Slate, Salon, etc.).
During the first two weeks, we analyze several successful pieces to see what makes them work (identifying the craft in action), as we develop our pitch, our target venue(s), and begin drafting our stories. The last four weeks are spent workshopping and revising these stories, building to the goal of having an engaging and publishable personal essay that is ready for submission.
Over the course of these six weeks, you learn …
– The elements that make a “personal” story universal and compelling.
– The secrets of a successful pitch to help you get an editor’s attention.
– How to develop your own unique voice and “brand” as a writer.
Meet Your Instructor: Mark McDevitt
“I love the personal essay because it is a very adaptable form, and there many outlets that look for them. You can do a whole LOT in only 900-1500 words. I always think of a personal essay as a walk around inside the mind of somebody else. The good ones can travel far, and sometimes stay with you forever.”
Watch Mark’s video to learn more about his Personal Essay class.
Project Write Now offers no refunds or credits once registered, except in the unfortunate case a class or event is cancelled. We reserve the right to change instructors if necessary. We reserve the right to cancel, postpone, or reschedule any class, workshop, or event because of low enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us at info@projectwritenow.org or call 908.675.0467 for more information. Please note that when you register for a class you are reserving one of a limited number of spots available. Your registration also counts toward our consideration of class minimums.
Our organization was founded to help amplify the voices of those who are often not heard—including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other historically marginalized groups. We have witnessed how writing and sharing stories has the power to effect change by generating greater love, compassion, and empathy in the listener. In all of our programs, we provide an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment. We do not tolerate writing that perpetuates harmful stereotypes or fuels hate. Failure to align with our philosophy can result in your removal from class.
