*NOTE: My final classes were offered in Sept. 2012. Please contact me if you're interested in working with me on an individual basis.
Online Classes: Personal Essays That Get Published, Levels 1 and 2
It pays to get personal these days. Given the popularity of reality shows, blogs, and tell-all books, interest in everyday individuals’ experiences is at an all-time high. Writers are often told, “Write what you know.” What subject can you possibly know better than your own life? Whether you want to pen an introspective essay about your struggle with infertility, a first-person article about your travels in India, or a short humor piece about parenting, your life is a goldmine of rich material that all kinds of publications are pining for.
Facilitated by longtime freelance writer Abigail Green, Personal Essays that Get Published: Level 1 will teach you how to:
- Find and organize your ideas
- Discover your natural voice
- Craft catchy leads and solid conclusions
- Make the most of your material by reslanting
- Find markets and submit your work for publication
Weekly reading and writing assignments are designed to offer practical, get-published results. The instructor offers personal attention throughout the six weeks via email, as well as two detailed critiques of your essays-in-progress at weeks three and six. This is not a peer-critique class, but students share all their work each week. Class materials include a list of paying essay markets and additional writing resources.
Prerequisites: This class is for writers at any level of experience. You must be able to send and receive Microsoft Word documents and PDFs via email to participate.
Duration: Six lessons with six assignments completed in six weeks
Upcoming Start Dates: CLASS NO LONGER OFFERED; CONTACT ME ABOUT INDIVIDUAL COACHING
About Abigail Green:
Abigail Green has published more than 200 articles and essays in regional and national publications including American Baby, Baltimore Magazine, Bride's, Health and Smithsonian. Her work also appears in "A Cup of Comfort for New Mothers" and on TheBump.com. A member of the American Society for Journalists and Authors, Abby holds a B.A. from Vassar College and an M.A. in publishing from the University of Baltimore. A mother of two boys, she blogs about parenting, publishing and more at http://www.abbyofftherecord.com.
What former students say:
This isn’t my first writing class, but it’s by far my favorite. The course delivered results – in six weeks I have two completed essays and lots of resources for potential markets. Thanks to Abby’s expert guidance and encouragement, I now also have the confidence to submit my work for publication.
~ Lisa L.
Abigail Green will help you get your life stories out of your head and onto the page. Her class is the cure for any anxiety about writing and publishing your personal essays. Thanks to Abby’s enthusiasm, support, and patience, I’m looking forward to seeing my name in print. Don’t miss this class—it’s so rare to find a writing course that actually takes you through the steps of how to get published. ~ Livia M.
Personal Essays That Get Published helped me to find my writing voice, improved my confidence as a writer, and provided specific ways to become a better writer. I would recommend it to new and seasoned writers alike. ~ Sarah L.
• • •
Personal Essays That Get Published: Level 2
When it comes to writing personal essays, you know the basics. Now it’s time to delve in deeper. What does “showing versus telling” really mean? What about that elusive “universal truth” all good essays need? What’s the secret to writing humor or food essays? How do you go about finding sources for reported essays? And how do you handle time constraints, rejection, and other things that may be holding you back?
In this Level 2 class, we will build on the fundamentals we covered in Level 1. Through advice and examples from well-known writers, as well as by studying specific personal essay markets, you will learn how to elevate an OK essay to a great one—and get it published.
Prerequisites: Personal Essay That Get Published: Level 1 is a required prerequisite for this class.
Duration: Six lessons with six assignments completed in six weeks
Upcoming Start Dates: CLASS NO LONGER OFFERED; CONTACT ME ABOUT INDIVIDUAL COACHING
What former students say:
PEGP 2 was an engaging and fast-paced class that really helped to take my personal essay writing to the next level. Armed with first-hand experience and knowledge from the trenches of the personal essay writing field, Abby leads class participants on an adventure. The balance of finely tuned assignments and class readings help trim the flab from your writing and allow you to express the universal themes that emerge from your stories. ~ Krysty K.
Having found my voice some time ago, I appreciate how Abby pushes me (far) outside of my defined style and explore other styles of expression. Her material is challenging, her remarks insightful. I am a more refined writer due to her guidance. ~ Rebecca S.
These classes inspired me and gave me confidence to continue the effort. Both Level 1 and Level 2 clarified how to approach the writing and submission of the personal essay style of writing. ~ Cheryl S.
For more information, contact Abby.