Upcoming Classes
Writer Communities
Journaling with Kayleigh
In the Journaling with Kayleigh community, we tackle the two biggest stumbling blocks of journaling – loneliness and boredom. With our mix of chat, live events, monthly themes, and downloadable resources, you’ll find inspiration and community every day to grow a consistent, fulfilling habit.
Whether you keep a diary, commonplace book, scrapbook, morning pages or any other form of journal, you’re welcome here.
Join us this spring for “10 Weeks of Alchemy!” Together we’ll explore Suleika Jaouad’s The Book of Alchemy through reading assignments, live events, and original prompts (and surprises!).
The best part? It’s just $5! Sign up now for a 7 day free trial.
Virtual Classes
Developing Your Short Fiction
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 Wednesdays, Sept 16 - Nov 4 (skips 8/6) | 6 – 9pm ET | Zoom | $620 ($600 members) | Register at: https://grubstreet.org/workshop/developing-your-short-fiction-shoen-fa26
Reader's Room: Most Celebrated Short Stories of 2025
Class offered through Grub Street Writers Center.
Reading List: TheBest American Short Stories 2025, edited by Celeste Ng; The Best Short Stories of 2025 (O Henry Award Winners), edited by Edward P. Jones.
The short story is a constantly evolving form. In this class, we'll read the most recent editions of the two most influential literary short story anthologies–The Best American Short Stories and the O. Henry Award winners–to see what short stories look like today.
We'll consider what this year's stories have to say about our time, and which stories are new classics. By the end of class, students will have found some new favorite up and coming writers, developed a greater sensitivity to their own preferences in literature, and expanded their reading palates to include new ideas.
6 Mondays, Oct 5 - Nov 16 (skips 10/12) | 6 – 7:30pm ET | Zoom | $115 | Register at: https://grubstreet.org/workshop/readers-room-most-celebrated-short-stories-of-2025-shoen-fa26
In Person Classes
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
Flash Fiction for Fun & Creativity
Class offered through Arlington Community Education.
Looking for a fun way to jumpstart your writing? Whether you’re interested in getting published or simply playing with words, flash fiction offers a low-pressure, high-reward outlet for creativity. These ultra-short jewels range from pithy 6-word stories to 4-page tales. Together, we’ll read standout examples and write a slew of our own, with friendly group discussions along the way. Experts and newbies alike are welcome.
8 Thursdays, Sept 22 - Nov 17 (skips 10/7) | 7 – 9pm ET | Arlington, MA | Cost tba | Registration coming soon.
Free Horror Story Generator
Class offered through Grub Street Writers Center.
Whether you're a lifelong horror fan, horror-curious, or simply looking for a fun creative challenge, our Free Horror Story Generator is a great way to spark a chilling new idea, connect with fellow writers, and discover the vibrant community at GrubStreet. In this one-hour session, you'll respond to eerie prompts, experiment with the building blocks of suspense and fear, share your work with others, and learn about upcoming GrubStreet workshops and events that can help you continue developing your craft.
Friday, Oct 30 | 6 – 7pm ET | Grub Street, Boston Seaport | FREE but requires registration. | Register at: https://grubstreet.org/seminar/free-horror-story-generator-shoen-fa26
Coaching
Don’t see what you’re looking for above?
Check out the coaching section for rates and suggested topics. I am available for individual and small group coaching online and in person.