Sarah Lawrence College

Writing Workshops & Courses

Academics
Institutes & Centers The Writing Institute
Writing Workshops & Courses Frequently Asked Questions
Writing Institute Institute for Genomics Early Childhood Center

Whether this is your first writing class or you’re finishing your next book, The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College helps writers grow and connect with a community of passionate writers. Join us on campus in Bronxville, New York or online. Questions about which class is best for you? Email The Writing Institute at writinginstitute@sarahlawrence.edu. We're here to help.

On a whim, I took a writing course… within minutes, I knew I had found something I needed to go forth with. Suddenly, my stored experiences and hidden feelings had new meaning, and possibility, which was life-changing.

Carla Carlson Author of Love and Oranges
Jump to:

Courses starting in January (3 courses)

A smiling person with medium-length hair wearing a dark top, standing against a plain white background.

Windows, Doors, & Floors: Writing an Essay

Tue, Jan 12 2027 — Tue, Feb 9 2027

Tyler Mills

On Zoom

Week by week, part by part, you’ll explore a subject for an essay that you work on and revise in pieces.
Register

  • Tue, Jan 12 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Tue, Jan 19 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Tue, Jan 26 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Tue, Feb 2 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Tue, Feb 9 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

Person with long hair sits on stone steps outside, wearing a blue sweater and plaid pants, smiling at the camera.

Advanced Novel & Memoir Workshop

Wed, Jan 13 2027 — Wed, Mar 17 2027

Marcia Bradley

On Zoom

A 10-week fiction workshop for more experienced writers in the process of completing and/or revising a manuscript or first draft of a full book of fiction, linked short stories, nonfiction, or memoir.
Register

  • Wed, Jan 13 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Wed, Jan 20 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Wed, Jan 27 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Wed, Feb 3 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Wed, Feb 10 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Wed, Feb 17 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Wed, Feb 24 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Wed, Mar 3 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Wed, Mar 10 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Wed, Mar 17 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

Person with wavy hair and tortoiseshell glasses, looking at the camera with a neutral expression, against a gray background.

Librarian, Archivist, Detective | Research for Creative Writers

Sat, Jan 23 2027 — Sat, Jan 30 2027

Amelia Possanza

On Zoom

Whether you’re working on a historical novel, a memoir braided with nonfiction, or a reported feature, these two 90-minute sessions will help you build out a creative research tool kit you can bring to any writing project.
Register

  • Sat, Jan 23 2027, 12:00 pm–2:00 pm EST

    Sat, Jan 30 2027, 12:00 pm–2:00 pm EST

Courses starting in February (7 courses)

Person smiling in a black jacket, standing outdoors with a blurred background of lights and buildings.

Beginner Novel Generator

Tue, Feb 2 2027 — Tue, Apr 13 2027

Ines Rodrigues

On Zoom

Ines Rodrigues's ten-week course helps you start your novel with a well-balanced mix of workshop, craft lessons, and lots of encouragement.
Register

  • Tue, Feb 2 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Tue, Feb 9 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Tue, Feb 16 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Tue, Feb 23 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Tue, Mar 9 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EST

    Tue, Mar 16 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Mar 23 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Mar 30 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Apr 6 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Apr 13 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

Person smiling warmly with long dark hair, wearing hoop earrings and a black top against a plain background.

Motherhood in Memoir

Tue, Feb 9 2027 — Tue, Mar 16 2027

Terri Linton

On Zoom

In this six-week nonfiction class with Terri Linton, students will examine works by writers that center motherhood as they explore the realities, revelations, and reckonings of our their own motherhood journeys.
Register

  • Tue, Feb 9 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Tue, Feb 16 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Tue, Feb 23 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Tue, Mar 2 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Tue, Mar 9 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Tue, Mar 16 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

Person smiling with arms crossed, leaning against a tree. Background features blurred greenery.

Intermediate Novel Workshop

Thu, Feb 11 2027 — Thu, Apr 15 2027

Barbara Josselsohn

On Zoom

Many writers start out with a great idea, and often they know how they want the story to eventually wrap up. But it's the middle of the novel where things get tricky.
Register

  • Thu, Feb 11 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Thu, Feb 18 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Thu, Feb 25 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Thu, Mar 4 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Thu, Mar 11 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Thu, Mar 18 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

    Thu, Mar 25 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

    Thu, Apr 1 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

    Thu, Apr 8 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

    Thu, Apr 15 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

Person with long hair wearing a red shirt, standing outdoors with blurred buildings in the background.

Writing and Placing Your Love Story

Tue, Feb 16 2027 — Tue, Mar 9 2027

Samantha Mann

On Zoom

Love essays are some of the most widely read personal essays, and some of the hardest to write well. In this generative workshop, you’ll leave with a finished love essay and a plan for placing it.
Register

  • Tue, Feb 16 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Tue, Feb 23 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Tue, Mar 2 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

    Tue, Mar 9 2027, 10:00 pm–12:00 am EST

A person with short hair and glasses smiles outdoors, wearing a green shirt and jacket, with green foliage in the background.

Wild Women of Memoir: Nonfiction Generator

Wed, Feb 17 2027 — Wed, Mar 17 2027

Joanne Furio

On Zoom

In this class, we’ll first read personal essays and excerpts from memoirs and discuss craft issues the work raises and then attempt to mimic a writer’s particular style through in-class freewrites, and short, voluntary assignments to do at home.
Register

  • Wed, Feb 17 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Wed, Feb 24 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Wed, Mar 3 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Wed, Mar 10 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Wed, Mar 17 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

Person with glasses smiling, with long, light-colored hair.

Turn Your Linked Stories into a Novel

Sat, Feb 20 2027

Tessa Smith McGovern

On Zoom

In this one-day class, learn how your linked stories can transform into a new form: a novel.
Register

  • Sat, Feb 20 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EST

Person smiling, wearing a green top with puffed sleeves and a chain necklace, seated indoors with wall decor and a chalkboard in the background.

Structuring Your Novel

Fri, Feb 26 2027 — Fri, Mar 26 2027

Eileen Moskowitz-Palma

On Campus

Whether you’re a plotter who is just starting a manuscript or a pantser who needs help revising, this class will help you work through all of your plotting points.
Register

  • Fri, Feb 26 2027, 2:00 pm–4:00 pm EST

    Fri, Mar 5 2027, 2:00 pm–4:00 pm EST

    Fri, Mar 12 2027, 2:00 pm–4:00 pm EST

    Fri, Mar 26 2027, 2:00 pm–4:00 pm EDT

Courses starting in March (8 courses)

Person with light hair and beard stands outdoors in sunlight, wearing a purple shirt and dark jacket. Green foliage in the background.

Fiction Workshop

Mon, Mar 1 2027 — Mon, Apr 12 2027

August Thompson

On Zoom

The purpose of this course is straightforward: it’s here to get you writing. Whether you’re an old pro or brand new to writing fiction, this class is designed to help you find inspiration, harness it, and build your writing practice.
Register

  • Mon, Mar 1 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Mon, Mar 8 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Mon, Mar 15 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

    Mon, Mar 22 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

    Mon, Apr 5 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

    Mon, Apr 12 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

Individual with curly hair, wearing a patterned shirt and earrings, smiles slightly in a black-and-white portrait against a dark background.

Writing Your Personal Essay

Mon, Mar 1 2027 — Mon, Mar 22 2027

Natalie Serianni

On Zoom

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or making your way back to the page, this four-week course will help you write a powerful personal essay by looking at the building blocks of the essay and developing an idea into an extended piece.
Register

  • Mon, Mar 1 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Mon, Mar 8 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EST

    Mon, Mar 15 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

    Mon, Mar 22 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

Person with long dark hair wearing a dark top, standing against a light-colored wall, looking into the camera.

Uncovering the Complexity in Everyday Life: Studying (and Attempting!) the Literary Short Story

Wed, Mar 3 2027 — Wed, Mar 31 2027

Rachel Lyon

On Zoom

We’ll read from authors who write extraordinary short stories about ordinary people and events. We’ll explore the methods authors use to pull us into these ordinary lives and how they discover beauty in the mundane.
Register

  • Wed, Mar 3 2027, 12:00 pm–2:00 pm EST

    Wed, Mar 10 2027, 12:00 pm–2:00 pm EST

    Wed, Mar 17 2027, 12:00 pm–2:00 pm EDT

    Wed, Mar 24 2027, 12:00 pm–2:00 pm EDT

    Wed, Mar 31 2027, 12:00 pm–2:00 pm EDT

Person with wavy hair and glasses, wearing a polka dot shirt, smiles at the camera. Background includes books and a frame.

Read, Write, Repeat

Mon, Mar 8 2027 — Mon, Mar 29 2027

Myla Goldberg

On Zoom

In this remote 4-week series, we'll climb inside stories to examine their inner workings and use what we find to create new writing of our own.
Register

  • Mon, Mar 8 2027, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm EST

    Mon, Mar 15 2027, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm EDT

    Mon, Mar 22 2027, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm EDT

    Mon, Mar 29 2027, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm EDT

Person with short hair, wearing a dark top with floral patterns, bold earrings, and red lipstick, looking at the camera against a dark background.

The Art of Character Creation

Tue, Mar 16 2027 — Tue, Apr 6 2027

Tsahai Makeda

On Zoom

In this generative course, we will explore how to take a turbulent and traumatic moment or experience from our life and turn it into triumph…on the page.
Register

  • Tue, Mar 16 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Mar 23 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Mar 30 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Apr 6 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

Person with long hair, resting face on hand, looking at the camera. Wearing a dark jacket. Black and white photo.

Writing the Hybrid Memoir

Tue, Mar 23 2027 — Tue, Apr 27 2027

Margo Steines

On Zoom

In your hybrid memoir, you might engage with science writing, literature, pop culture, history, digital media—really any cultural product or phenomenon that you want to explore in the same frame as your personal narrative.
Register

  • Tue, Mar 23 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Mar 30 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Apr 6 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Apr 13 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Apr 20 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Apr 27 2027, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm EDT

Person with curly hair and glasses, wearing a light, sheer top, smiles at the camera against a plain background.

Exploring Personal History Through Poetry

Wed, Mar 24 2027 — Wed, Apr 14 2027

Melissa Lozada-Oliva

On Zoom

How do we write poetry to truly understand the emotional truth of our lives, to explain emotions we cannot name? In this four-week course we will examine how to tell our own stories through poems.
Register

  • Wed, Mar 24 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

    Wed, Mar 31 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

    Wed, Apr 7 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

    Wed, Apr 14 2027, 6:00 pm–8:00 pm EDT

Person smiling, wearing glasses, silver earrings, and a black top with ruffled sleeves, standing against a white backdrop with folded arms.

Outlining Your Memoir

Thu, Mar 25 2027 — Thu, Apr 15 2027

Jocelyn Jane Cox

On Campus

Life moves chronologically, but memoirs don’t have to. In this one-day memoir course, you’ll have the opportunity to (re)consider your projects's organization.
Register

  • Thu, Mar 25 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

    Thu, Apr 1 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

    Thu, Apr 8 2027, 10:00 pm–12:00 am EDT

    Thu, Apr 15 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

Courses starting in April (1 course)

Person with short, wavy hair wearing a black shirt, sitting outdoors with greenery in the background.

Beginner Memoir Generator

Tue, Apr 6 2027 — Tue, May 4 2027

Janet Pfeffer

On Campus

Have you ever thought someday I'll write a book? Do you have a story about your life waiting to unfold on the page? In this five-week in-person memoir workshop, you will discover what it takes to begin.
Register

  • Tue, Apr 6 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Apr 13 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Apr 20 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

    Tue, Apr 27 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

    Tue, May 4 2027, 10:00 am–12:00 pm EDT

Writing by its very nature is solitary, but every writer reaches a point when it becomes critically important to share one’s work. [The Writing Institute] gave me exactly the structure, close reading, and support I needed to see my book through to completion.

Liane Carter Author of Ketchup is My Favorite Vegetable: A Family Grows Up With Autism