In an effort to create more opportunities to work with writers, Swenson Book Development LLC will begin to offer virtual classes, workshop, and retreats in January 2022. All sessions will be held via Zoom and documents will be shared using Google Drive.
If you are interested in registering for a class, workshop or retreat, please email Jill at Swenbooks dot com by January 3, 2022.
Generative Writing Workshop
Saturdays January 8, 15, 22 at 10-11:30 am
This creative writing workshop is intended for writers at every level and in every genre. It is intended to get your creative juices flowing. Whether you have never done any creative writing or have something you are currently working on, this is a place to generate new copy. There will be an in-class writing assignment and a weekly writing prompt. The writing exercises offer constraints to help you enter your story through side doors and get to the more profound truths. This is not a workshop for critical feedback, but encouragement to take risks. Limit of 8. $125
Weekend Writing Intensive for Nonfiction and Memoir
Friday February 4, 7-9 pm, Saturday February 5, 10 am-noon, 1-5 pm, Sunday February 6, 10 am-noon
Do you have a work-in-progress and seek constructive criticism, inspiration and encouragement? This weekend long writing retreat will focus on you and your writing project. It will allow you to gain valuable feedback and advance your writing craft. Participants will each submit 20 pages by January 20 for everyone to read before the weekend begins. Limit of 4. $350
Two Tuesdays at Two: Nonfiction Writing Workshop
January 11, 25, February 8, 22, March 8, 22, April 5, 19, 2-3:30 pm
Two Tuesdays each month, a small group of writers who seek constructive criticism on their work-in-progress will gather to submit their own pages (1,000 word limit), read and respond to written submissions. Open to writers at all levels who are working on a nonfiction manuscript.
If you have a book manuscript in progress, this workshop is intended for you. If you are a debut author who is close to having a first full draft, or already published and working on your next book, this is an ideal writing workshop. Limit of 6. $350
Virtual Happy Hour
Friday, February 11, 5-6 pm
Come talk about what you’re working on, challenges you face, news, tips, tricks, and reading recommendations. Back by popular request. No charge. Email for the link.
Writing and Listening — an Interview with Brooke Randel
As a young girl Brooke Randel knew little about the Holocaust—just that it was a catastrophe in which millions were murdered, and that her grandma Golda Indig barely escaped that fate. But her Bubbie never spoke about what happened, and the two spent most of their time together making pleasant memories: baking crescent roll cookies, playing gin rummy, and watching Baywatch. Until an unexpected phone call when Golda said, out of the blue: “You should write about my life. What happened in the war.” What results is a fascinating memoir—about one woman’s harrowing survival, and another’s struggle to excavate theRead more…
Jill, I am interested in one of your nonfiction workshops in February or March but don’t know which one to choose. Also how do you sign up?
Hi Mary! It would be a joy to have you in one of these workshops. You can email me at jill at swenbooks dot com. I will also send you a separate email. Best, Jill