Learn How to Link Your Short Stories or Memoirs into a Collection

There are many joyous and creative ways to compile a satisfying collection. In this workshop, you will learn to identify how your stories - published or unpublished, typed or handwritten - fit together and how to enhance and deepen the book’s themes. Each class will include in-class exercises to produce new work, time to talk with the teacher about your own work, and prompts for optional at-home assignments.

You will finish knowing how to combine shorter works into a collection that is greater than the sum of its parts. This process can be repeated with new work as you continue to write your stories in the coming months and years. It is a way to track your own development as a writer and illuminate who you are - and who you can be - as an artist. Individual advice will be given on submitting your finished result for publication or publishing independently. No homework or reading.

Saturday, June 15th 2024 
10:00am to 2:00pm, Virtual

Who Should Take This Class?
Anyone with five or more short stories or memoirs who'd like to know how to link them into a collection. Advice will be given as appropriate on writing new stories to shape your collection and we will also discuss elements of craft.

Testimonials
“The topic of Tessa’s class [How to Link Your Short Stories and Memoirs into a Collection] had always puzzled me. I had written a series of short-but-true stories, but was entirely stuck on how to put them together. That is, until I studied with Tessa. She brought fresh energy, inspiration, and creative ideas to her workshop. The impossible no longer feels impossible, thanks to Tessa. I am 300% glad to have studied with her.” – Ellen Luborsky, Ph.D.

“If you are planning to write for digital media, you must meet Tessa Smith McGovern…Her knowledge of the internet, the publishing world, and the steps to successful digital publishing is current and extensive. She has valuable insight into the psychology of writing and writers.” – Jeanette Gould

"Tessa McGovern offers me the direction, information, process, and encouragement I need to accomplish the creation of a collection. In addition, the class offers me the companionship of other writers with the same mission." - Rosemary Williams (2nd time taking the class)