New Class: ONLINE WRITING LITERARY HORROR

Published December 22, 2024 by Philip Ivory

What can we as writers learn from masters of the horror genre such as Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson, and others? What special voices and literary techniques do these accomplished writers use to subtly create moods and situations that unnerve, fascinate, and shock readers in a pleasurable way?

In the class, students will follow the examples set by these masters while applying tried and tested Writers Studio methods. The goal is to help students bring their unique creative material to life in new and vibrant ways. All students are welcome, whether new to The Writers Studio or veterans of our classes. Experience in writing horror is not necessary, but an interest in the genre is recommended. Students can choose to write fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.

ONLINE WRITING LITERARY HORROR starts on Saturday, February 1st and will be taught by Philip Ivory, director of the Tucson branch of The Writers Studio. The class will be conducted online for six weeks.

For more information or to register:

ONLINE WRITING LITERARY HORROR

January Creative Writing Classes in Tucson

Published December 6, 2024 by Philip Ivory

In-person classes for writers of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction are starting in January. Classes are already filling up so don’t wait.

CLICK HERE for more information and to register for our Tucson classes.

“Over the years that I’ve been writing with the Writers Studio, my writing has flourished in both style and confidence. Through the feedback I’ve received and specific methods used in class, I’ve grown and will continue to hone and develop my skills as a writer. The Writers Studio is a wonderful writing community, and I encourage anyone with the desire for the written word to join us!“
— George Brown, Writers Studio student

We hope to see you in class. If not in Tucson, explore our options for ONLINE CLASSES.

Writers Studio Free Online Reading Featuring Betsy Mahaffey

Published September 9, 2024 by Philip Ivory

Please join us for this free online reading! It’s taking place next Sunday and features reading of original work by Writers Studio teachers from around the country. Readers will include Betsy Mahaffey, teacher and assistant director in the Tucson branch, as well as Amy Arutt, Doug Crowell, Linda Drach, Gail Ford, and Hani Khalil.

We hope to see you there on Sunday.

CLICK HERE TO PRE-REGISTER FOR FREE READING

Online Writing About Childhood starting October 19th

Published September 5, 2024 by Philip Ivory

Can we recapture the wonder, darkness, and magic of childhood in our writing? This six-week class examines techniques used by established writers such as Ray Bradbury, Sandra Cisneros, Seamus Heaney, and others who successfully evoked that not-so-long-ago childhood realm.

In the class, students will follow the examples set by these masters while applying tried and tested Writers Studio methods. The goal is to help students bring their unique creative material to life in new and vibrant ways. All students are welcome, whether new to The Writers Studio or veterans of our classes. Students can choose to write fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.

ONLINE WRITING ABOUT CHILDHOOD starts on October 19th and will be taught by Philip Ivory, director of the Tucson branch of The Writers Studio.

For more information or to register: CLICK HERE

THIS SUNDAY: Free Online Writers Studio Reading

Published April 22, 2023 by Philip Ivory

Join the Writers Studio Reading Series on Sunday, April 23 at 5 pm ET / 2 pm PT for a reading of original work from our faculty.

During this virtual reading, teachers from our New York City, Tucson, San Francisco, and Rome branches will share their poetry and fiction.

I’m excited to be representing Tucson with a new piece, reading alongside talented colleagues including Lorraine L. Babb, Lisa Bass, Stas Gawronski, Kathie Jacobson, and Sally McElwain.

The reading is free. CLICK HERE to register in advance. We hope to see you there.

New Online Course: Writing About Childhood

Published June 13, 2021 by Philip Ivory

Through The Writers Studio, I’ll be teaching a new special 6-week class starting next month, Writing About Childhood.

Childhood from the perspective of an adult writer can seem like “another country,” a strange land where our powers, responsibilities and perceptions were vastly different. And yet it is the place we all come from. And while the lens through which we viewed the world as children may have seemed innocent and magical, our sensibilities were always vulnerable to the hard truths of encroaching adulthood. In this class, we will examine techniques and voices crafted by celebrated writers of poetry and prose such as Sandra Cisneros, Seamus Heaney, and Ray Bradbury. How did they use imagination and memory to regain a foothold in childhood’s not-so-distant realm, conjuring its wonder, joy, and pain? Whether working in poetry, prose, or creative nonfiction, can we apply similar voices and techniques to our own unique material? Let’s bring the world and experience of childhood to vibrant life again through our creative work.

This class is open to all writers of poetry and prose, including those who are new to The Writers Studio as well as those who have already taken classes. Students will respond to weekly exercises, posting their assignments to an online class space where feedback will also be posted by other students and the teacher. Our class will then meet for a one-hour online video discussion focusing on the technique described in the exercise using the Google Meet. No special software needed, and no transcript will be available for those who miss the discussion.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

UNREAL: Writers Studio Teachers Read Their Work

Published October 4, 2019 by Philip Ivory

Join us on Oct. 18 for a public reading event, cohosted by Antigone Books and The Writers Studio. Teachers from the Tucson branch of The Writers Studio — Lela Scott MacNeil, Richard Leis, Donna Aversa, Reneé Bibby and myself — will read selections of poetry and prose that focus on the unusual, the dark, and the unreal.

WHERE: Antigone Books, 411 N 4th Ave, Tucson, Arizona 85705

WHEN: October 18, 2019 at 6:00 PM

No RSVP or admission fee is required.

At The Writers Studio Tucson, we pride ourselves on being active participants in Tucson’s thriving literary community. Please join us, and patronize Antigone Books, one of the finest independent bookstores in the country. Visit their web site and sign up for their newsletter.

The Writers Studio, founded by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Philip Schultz in 1987, offers writing workshops designed to help students discover and nurture their own voices. The Writers Studio Tucson offers four levels of classes to help students achieve their writing goals.

For more information on The Writers Studio, click here.

When Reality Doesn’t Cut It, UNREAL Is Our Best Friend!

See you on Oct. 18!

Fall Writing Classes Available Now at Writers Studio

Published September 11, 2019 by Philip Ivory

“Dynamic, Inspiring, invigorating, supportive. The Writers Studio seemed to me to have all the qualities one could possibly wish for in a writing school.”

JAMES LASDUN, poetry and fiction professor at Princeton University, New York University and Columbia University

Greetings Tucson writer friends! As a teacher and assistant director for the Tucson branch of The Writers Studio, I’m excited that our roster of fall classes is posted and students are already beginning to sign up for our fall session.

Check out our web site for a full listing of Tucson classes. Discover new voices and craft techniques to bring your personal material to life. Sharpen your feedback skills. Learn to identify and build upon your strengths as a writer

SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE: Use Coupon Code: shine to get $15 off one of our 8-week classes. (Discount must be taken at time of registration online or by phone (212) 255-7075 and may not be combined with any other offer. Expires 9/19/19.)

BEGINNER’S LEVEL WORKSHOPS
Wednesday Evenings with Lela Scott MacNeil
Starts October 16 at 6:30 PM
Saturday Mornings with Richard Leis
Starting October 5 at 10 AM

INTERMEDIATE

Thursday Evenings with Philip Ivory

Starting October 17 at 6:30 PM

ADVANCED
Monday Evenings with Lela Scott MacNeil
Starting October 14 at 6:30 PM

MASTER CLASS
Tuesday Evenings with Reneé Bibby
Starting October 15 at 6:30 PM

If you’re too far away to take an in-person class, consider taking one online.

Not sure what level you should be on? Contact Reneé Bibby at renee@writerstudio.com

“The Writers Studio has grown into one of the best creative writing programs I know, at once serving excellence and inspiring the individual. The ambiance is warm and invigorating, making it joyful to be there.”

GRACE SCHULMAN, author of Days of Wonder: New and Selected Poems

New Role at Writers Studio

Published October 20, 2018 by Philip Ivory

I’m pleased to announce I’ve been asked to assume a new role at the Tucson branch of Writers Studio. In addition to continuing to be a teacher on the intermediate level, I’ll be serving as assistant director and working closely with branch director Reneé Bibby.

Here’s some info about the program and its philosophy, from our web site at writerstudio.com:

“The Writers Studio, founded in 1987 by Pulitzer Prize winning poet Philip Schultz, offers ongoing writing workshops — both on site and online — designed to help students discover and nurture their own voices. We welcome students at all stages, from those who have only dreamed of writing fiction or poetry to those with MFAs hungry for additional serious, ongoing instruction. Students provide the desire to write and the willingness to learn, and we provide the structure, the technical know-how, the professional feedback and the friendly community to enable them to reach their full potential.”

Janelle Drumwright, who has done an amazing job as Tucson branch assistant director for years, is relocating to another city. I hope I can carry on in her spirit and continue to bring the Writer Studio discipline and devotion to craft to students looking to expand and improve their skills. I’ll also be involved in outreach to potential students and planning of special events.

I started as a student in the program, and its emphasis on craft and the importance of creating a distinctive persona narrator for every piece of writing has been extremely helpful to me. It jump-started me after a long period of non-writing and put me on the road to getting work published. I can definitely attest to the program’s effectiveness.

New classes will be starting in January. Writers of all experience levels are welcome. Online classes are available as well as our in-person classes here in Tucson. Feel free to send me any questions about the program at philivory@writerstudio.com.

Writers Studio Summer 2018 Intermediate Class

Published September 1, 2018 by Philip Ivory

I just completed teaching an 8-week summer session at Writers Studio Tucson. I had a great class with really talented students who worked extremely hard to develop their craft and produced some stunning material. Here we are meeting for a final pre-class bite at Brother John’s on Stone Avenue.

Writers Studio offers classes to help you develop your skills in writing fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. From our web site:

The Writers Studio, founded in 1987 by Pulitzer Prize winning poet Philip Schultz, offers ongoing writing workshops — both on site and online — designed to help students discover and nurture their own voices. We welcome students at all stages, from those who have only dreamed of writing fiction or poetry to those with MFAs hungry for additional serious, ongoing instruction. Students provide the desire to write and the willingness to learn, and we provide the structure, the technical know-how, the professional feedback and the friendly community to enable them to reach their full potential.

Our fall session starts in late September. Visit our web site at Writers Studio and sign up for a class today! If you don’t live in a city that offers in-person classes, try one of our online sessions.