Community Highlights

Ali Mckenzie-Murdoch Publishes “On a Knife Edge” in Across the Margin

April 4, 2022

Congratulations to Ali Mckenzie-Murdoch, whose flash fiction piece “On a Knife Edge” was published in Across the Margin. Ali’s piece was written alongside Barbara Henning in her course Flash Fiction: Writing the Short-Short Story. 

Susan Vespoli Interviews with Rattlecast

March 23, 2022

Congratulations to instructor Susan Vespoli, who interviewed with Rattlecast about her book Blame it on the Serpent. 

Performance Poets of the Palm Beaches: April Reading

March 18, 2022

The Performance Poets of Palm Beaches, hosted by instructor Susannah Simpson, will run a live poetry reading on April 10th, 3 P.M. Eastern Time. During the reading, donations will be requested to support Doctors Without Borders in Ukraine. Anyone interested in attending should email Performancepoets20@gmail.com requesting a Zoom link to the April event. We hope to see you there!

Nancy Napier Publishes “The Joys and Frustrations of Being a Beginner”

March 17, 2022

Congratulations to Nancy Napier, whose article “The Joys and Frustrations of Being a Beginner” was published in Psychology Today. For beginning writers, Nancy’s perspective might free you from the demand of knowing everything at once—learning the craft takes time!

Barbara Henning Publishes “Ferne, a Detroit Story”

January 31, 2022

Congratulations to instructor Barbara Henning, whose book Ferne, a Detroit Story was published by Spuyten Duyvil. Barbara’s book is a multi-media retelling of her mother’s life, exploring the social and political realities of mid-century Detroit.

Karl Trautman Publishes “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This”

January 27, 2022

Congratulations to Karl Trautman, whose novel Sweet Dreams Are Made of This was published in August of 2021. Parts of Karl’s novel series was developed in Shelley Singer’s The Ongoing Fiction Workshop.

Rudri Patel Receives “Best Small Fictions” Nomination from Moonpark Review

January 11, 2022

Congratulations to instructor Rudri Patel, whose flash piece “Ganesh and Southern Maid Donuts” received a nomination from Moonpark Review for the Best Small Fictions of 2022.

Mindy Stern’s Essay Selected as a Medium Story That Defined 2021

January 7, 2022

Congratulations to Mindy Stern, whose flash essay “I Was a Zionist, Until I Fell in Love” was selected as one of the Medium Stories That Defined 2021.

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Publication Opportunities

delmarva review

Delmarva Review

Delmarva Review seeks literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry with fresh, evocative voices. The journal publishes once a year, making this a highly selective publication. All accepted writers receive a free copy of the journal, alongside publication next to many well-acclaimed writers.

chicago writers association

Open for Submissions: Write City Magazine

Write City Magazine, a publication out of the Chicago Writer’s Association, seeks poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for their upcoming issues. All accepted works receive a small stipend, on top of publication. Be sure to read their submissions guidelines before submitting!

A Gelato a Day Keeps the Tantrums Away

A new travel anthology A Gelato a Day Keeps the Tantrums Away is seeking narrative short story submissions on the theme of family travel. Stories should be of a narrative nature and reflect the wonders, surprises, pitfalls and hilarious moments that can occur when traveling with family members of all shapes, sizes, types and styles. Contributors should be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. There is limited room for stories by international writers, who are encouraged to submit. Submissions are due September 30th.

Rolling Submissions: Tongue Tied Mag

Tongue Tied Mag is regularly seeking poetry and hybrid works. The journal tends to publish new and emerging writers, and prefers works that are literary, innovative, and fresh. Tongue Tied’s editors often work with their poets on feedback and edits, helping new writers put out polished, impressive pieces.

Rolling Submissions: Quarantine Collection

Quarantine Collection was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The journal documents literary responses to both the coronavirus crisis and other creative works produced during quarantine. Emphasis on submissions that are playful or experimental. Open to all genres.

Newfound’s “Inner Spaces”

Newfound is accepting submissions for their themed journal “Inner Spaces.” The journal is looking for pieces that investigate intrapersonal experiences and identity development. All genres welcome; submissions are due by December 21st.

Quarterly Journal: 3Elements Literary Review

3Elements Literary Review is accepting literature that combines the following 3 elements: “trapeze, pinprick, calico.” The journal is open to submissions from all genres, and enjoys works that are experimental and creative. Submissions are due August 31st.

Recent Student Testimonials

Nina Goss

Jonathan McClure’s professionalism is outstanding. His readings of attendees’ work are extensive and offered as in-line marginal annotations. He reads each piece through the author’s sensibility and register, offers relevant suggestions for rethinking a piece rather than alternative words or phrases, and addresses us as adults who are serious about craft and effect. His prompts in the classes are thoughtful, lucid, and provoke valuable effort. If he has a pet metier or school, I don’t know what it is, and hallelujah for that.

Christina Strasbourg — Writing with Consistency and Courage

Tamara Dean transformed my writing practice. Her approach is both compassionate and practical, providing the tools I needed to stay motivated and overcome self-doubt.

Ginger Moorhouse — The Body and Soul of Your Memoir

My experience was excellent. Caryn is knowledgeable as well as encouraging.

Linda Ennis — Creative Nonfiction

This was one of the most productive courses I have ever participated in and that is true due to the exceptional feedback from Nicole Hardy. She restored my hopes that writing can be a part of my life.

Alexis Damen — Stringing the Beads

This course was a great experience! I write for a living, but not personal essays, so I was challenged and learned a lot in a safe and judgment-free environment. Joanna is great at introducing new concepts and ways of writing in an easy-to-understand way. Her feedback and line edits are concise and helpful. It was also nice to give and receive comments from other writers taking the course. 

Magalie Casimir — Telling the Stories Your Body Holds

Sarah Herrington’s class was an incredible experience. I drafted and published three essays. Taking this course, along with others led by Sarah, has inspired me to overcome my fears and confidently share my work with a broader audience.

Writing Paranormal Flash Fiction — Richard Hamon

I just finished an MFA in Creative Writing, and Julie was just as skillful, helpful, and encouraging as the professors who taught in my program.

Riva Feshbach — Tiny and True

This class was different than any of the other writing classes I have taken. It felt like a risk, but it really paid off. I think that my writing practice is much stronger as a result.

writers.com Courses Starting Soon:

Next-Level Creative Nonfiction: Elevating Essays, Memoir, Travel Writing & Literary Journalism

August 15, 2014

Elevate your memoir, travel writing, literary journalism, & lyric and personal essays.

The Ongoing Fiction Workshop

November 10, 2014

Many students have attended this 10-week online fiction workshop with Shelley Singer multiple times, completed novels, and come back to finish more books.

Claiming Our Stories: Autobiography, Memoir & Autobiographical Fiction

November 12, 2014

Turn your experience into fiction, autobiography, or creative memoir. Bring forward stories with a powerful truth at their core. Instructor Anya Achtenberg.

Creative Nonfiction and the Personal Essay

November 12, 2014

Gretchen Clark pick axes her way into the volcanic marriage of real life and fiction. Weekly writing with incisive feedback.

Poetic Prose: The Prose Poem

November 17, 2014

Explore the border between prose poetry and flash fiction. For writers of fiction, poetry, essay and memoir.