The Seattle Public Library Hosts 'Seattle Writes' Workshops Sept. 9 – Dec. 19
release date: August 29, 2017
The Seattle Public Library's 2017 Seattle Writes fall program series will feature over 25 writing workshops at numerous Library locations from Sept. 9 through Dec. 19. Learn how to use humor in your novel, experiment with time and narration, write a flash memoir, get feedback on your work at a writing circle, format a self-published book, start a novel and more.
The workshops are free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but seating is limited and will be on a first-come, first-seated basis. Doors to the meeting room will open 30 minutes prior to the start of the class. Free parking is available at the branches; parking is available in the Central Library garage at the regular rates. Attendees are asked to bring a pen, pencil and paper or fully charged laptop to each class.
Accommodation requests may be made with seven days advance notice. Arrangements for American Sign Language interpreters can be made for Library-sponsored classes with two weeks' notice. Email the Library Equal Access Program (LEAP) or call 206-615-1380 (V/TTY).
See below for the workshop schedule and descriptions or visit the Seattle Writes page.
SCHEDULE OF WRITING WORKSHOPS
The Art of the Political Essay with Hugo House
Find your political writing voice with author and professor Sonora Jha.
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Northgate Branch, 10548 Fifth Ave. N.E., 206-386-1980.
Writing in Scenes
Learn the elements of writing successful scenes that heighten dramatization with science fiction writer Nancy Kress.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 4, Washington Mutual Foundation Meeting Room 1, 206-386-4636 .
Experimenting with Narrative Time
Join author Peter Mountford to explore the reasons for and effects of bending, stretching, and compressing narrative time.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at the West Seattle Branch, 2306 42nd Ave. S.W., 206-684-7444 .
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W., 206-684-4089 .
Fear and Writing
Join novelist Peg Cheng to learn how fear is a natural part of the creative process and how you can use fear to propel your writing, rather than hinder it.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Greenwood Branch, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-684-4086.
The Difference Feelings Make
Join the 2009 Seattle Reads author Nancy Rawles to explore when, where, and whether to include strong feelings in your work.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Fremont Branch, 731 N. 35th St., 206-684-4084 .
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Columbia Branch, 4721 Rainier Ave. S., 206-386-1908 .
Market While You Write: Six Ways to Build an Audience before Publishing
Learn tips and tricks to build your author brand and community from writer, editor and publishing consultant Beth Jusino.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24 at the Columbia Branch, 4721 Rainier Ave. S., 206-386-1908.
Flash Memoir
Explore writing short personal essays and memoir with author Ann Teplick.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 at the Northeast Branch, 6801 35th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7539 .
Writing Circle with Hugo House
Attend drop-in writing circles facilitated by established local writers from Hugo House! We have drop-in meetings at three branches of The Seattle Public Library each month so that you can attend when and where is most convenient for you.
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 5, Nov. 2 and Dec. 14 at the Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave. S., 206-684-4711 .
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13 at the West Seattle Branch, 2306 42nd Ave. S.W., 206-684-7444 .
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 17, Nov. 21 and Dec. 19 at the Fremont Branch, 731 N. 35th St., 206-684-4084 .
Accessing Hinduism in Your Writing with Hugo House
Walk through Hinduism's seminal concepts and discuss their application to a writing practice with Shankar Narayan, a fellow at Kundiman and Hugo House.
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Douglass-Truth Branch, 2300 E. Yesler Way, 206-684-4704 .
The Sentence Level
Join educator and author Karen Finneyfrock to practice crafting sentences that reveal character and advance action.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 4, Washington Mutual Foundation Meeting Room 1, 206-386-4636 .
Introduction to Formatting Your Self-Published Book
Learn to use PressBooks to achieve professional-looking formatting for your book. Instruction provided by librarian Andrea Gough.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 4, Boeing Technology Training Center Room 3, 206-386-4636 .
Jump Starting Your Story with Hugo House
Join novelist Susan Meyers to discuss and practice how to start a story in fiction and nonfiction.
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Capitol Hill Branch, 425 Harvard Ave. E., 206-684-4715 .
First 500 Words
Make the beginning of your book as strong as possible in this free class for fiction and nonfiction writers, taught by author and educator Martha Brockenbrough.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 at the Broadview Branch, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-684-7519.
Starting Your Novel with Hugo House
Join writer and educator John Englehardt in exploring what makes a good idea for a novel and how to move from idea to narrative.
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22 at the Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave. S., 206-684-4711
Marketing Your Book without Making Yourself Miserable
Learn a practical approach for attracting readers and selling books with writer, editor and publishing consultant Beth Jusino.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29 at the University Branch, 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-684-4063.
Healing Histories
Explore techniques to create alternate narratives that center on formerly unheard voices with Nisi Shawl, author and founder of the Carl Brandon Society.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Delridge Branch, 5423 Delridge Way S.W., 206-733-9125.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Green Lake Branch, 7364 E. Green Lake Dr. N., 206-684-7547.
Poetry: An Introduction
Poet and educator Laura Da' presents a class for poets, songwriters, and anyone who wants to write more effectively.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 at the Montlake Branch, 2401 24th Ave. E., 206-684-4720 .
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 4, Washington Mutual Foundation Meeting Room 1, 206-386-4636 .
Crafting the Character in Fiction
Explore techniques to make your characters feel true in this hands-on workshop with educator and author Karen Finneyfrock.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 4, Washington Mutual Foundation Meeting Room 1, 206-386-4636 .
Getting Started with Creative Nonfiction - Explore techniques to adapt true events for memoir, travel writing, and journalistic writing with writer and educator Gail Folkins.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 at the Lake City Branch, 12501 28th Ave. N.E., 206-684-7518 .
The Art of Query and Synopsis Writing
Learn how to write a sparkling query letter and get an agent's attention, with novelist and nonfiction author Martha Brockenbrough.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Rainier Beach Branch, 9125 Rainier Ave. S., 206-386-1906.
Dissolving or Deepening Tension with Humor
Learn how to use humor in your fiction in this free writing class taught by author Donna Miscolta.
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Queen Anne Branch, 400 W. Garfield St., 206-386-4227 .
About Seattle Writes
Seattle Writes supports local writers through programs, workshops, write-ins and by providing spaces to work throughout the city. The program series is made possible with the generous support of The Seattle Public Library Foundation and the Amazon Literary Partnership.