Upcoming Classes

In Person Classes

Jumpstart Your Novel

Class offered through Grub Street Writers Center.

So, you want to write a novel! In this class, designed for writers embarking on a new fiction project, we'll work together to understand what makes a novel work—and how you might translate that knowledge to your own pages. Over the course of six weeks, students will generate new material based on prompts for in-class and at-home writing. For inspiration and guidance, we'll read one novel together over the course of the class, using the text to discuss elements of fiction such as point of view, character, conflict, and setting.

Throughout, we’ll check in about struggles and victories, share strategies for staying motivated, and build momentum together. Writers will have the chance to share work with their peers, but our focus will be on generative writing and mutual support rather than critique or workshopping. By the end of the course, you’ll have a collection of new scenes, along with the craft skills, insight, and energy to keep going.

6 Wednesdays, Jun 3 - Jul 8 | 6 – 9pm ET |  Grub Street, Boston Seaport | $415 ($400 members) | Register at: https://grubstreet.org/workshop/jumpstart-your-novel-shoen-su26

Jumpstart Your Writing

Class offered through Grub Street Writers Center.

Whether you’ve never written creatively before or you’re a more experienced writer looking for a recharge, your mission in this course is simple: devote three hours a week to your writing. Through a series of engaging exercises, we’ll mine memory and imagination to bring ideas to life—building characters and settings, crafting dialogue, selecting point of view, and exploring the nuances of voice across fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.

Each session includes time to discuss the writing process and share work aloud for supportive, on-the-spot feedback. With an emphasis on curiosity and craft, we’ll also read and discuss short pieces of published writing by authors including Margaret Atwood, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Mary Oliver to spark ideas and fuel your own work.

At the end of six weeks, you’ll leave class with a fresh set of drafts, new ideas to keep you writing, meaningful connections with fellow writers, and a stronger sense of your own voice on the page.

6 Tuesdays, Jun 16 - Jul 21 | 6 – 9pm ET |  Grub Street, Boston Seaport | $415 ($400 members) | Register at: https://grubstreet.org/workshop/jumpstart-your-writing-shoen-su26

Developing Your Short Stories

Class offered through Grub Street Writers Center.

The short story is a precise and powerful form, where every detail matters and each moment shapes the whole. In this course, we’ll explore how we can give stories deeper resonance using key elements of fiction writing—theme, character, motif, structure, and point of view—with a focus on the particular demands and possibilities of the short story.

Classes will combine close readings of compelling stories with focused discussions on craft and workshopping of student writing. You will have the opportunity to write or revise at least two complete stories (up to 25 pages each) and receive detailed written feedback from the instructor and your peers. Writers will actively participate in shaping the workshop, not just listen passively.

Feedback will include both content questions (“How does this character challenge or reflect expectations?” “What themes emerge from the story’s events?”) and craft questions (“Is this the best point of view for this story?” “Is this the best length for this amount of story?” “Are the events being revealed in the best order?”). This approach aims to strengthen your voice as a writer and help you develop clear revision strategies.

We’ll study work from The Best American Short Stories 2025 (guest edited by Celeste Ng) and use insights from this collection to help our stories reach their full potential.

8 Thursdays, Jun 25 - Aug 20 (skips 7/30) | 6 – 9pm ET |  Grub Street, Boston Seaport | $620 ($600 members) | Register at: https://grubstreet.org/workshop/developing-your-short-stories-shoen-su26

Free Draft Generator

Class offered through Grub Street Writers Center.

Whether you’re brand new to creative writing or a writer in search of a quick creative boost, our Free Draft Generator Sessions are a great place to start the seeds of new writing projects, connect with other writers, and discover the vibrant community at GrubStreet waiting to support your literary journey. In this one hour session, you’ll have the opportunity to respond to engaging writing prompts, share your work with others, and receive information about upcoming GrubStreet workshops and events to help you further develop your writing skills and pursue your creative goals.

Wednesday, Aug 26 | 6 – 7pm ET |  Grub Street, Boston Seaport | FREE but requires registration. | Register at: https://grubstreet.org/seminar/free-draft-generator-shoen-su26