2025 Story Intensive

This six-month, twelve-session class is designed to help you focus intensively on developing and refining your short stories.

In this class we’ll discuss process, review key craft elements (character, point of view, structure, voice/prose style, setting, dialogue), and read at least one exemplary short story and one craft essay per week to get a sense of the diversity, range, and narrative tools used in the contemporary short story.

Our primary aim, however, will be on revising your work to a high standard. You will read each other’s story drafts weekly, discuss how to improve them in group workshops, and subsequently discuss revisions of those same drafts. Throughout the course, you will receive substantial detailed feedback from your peers and from the instructor. Emphasis will be placed on building a sense of literary community within the class and sharing generous criticism in ways that are both constructive and affirming. The effects of our group efforts should have a positive, lasting impact on the artistic development of each writer.

No textbook is required for this course, but we will be reading work by contemporary authors like Carmen Maria Machado, Ling Ma, Clare Beams, Deesha Philyaw, George Saunders, and many others.

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About Literary Cleveland Intensives

Intensives are six-month classes designed to help intermediate and advanced writers make significant progress on a book-length project. Classes are application-only and limited to eight dedicated participants selected through an application process. If you are committed to your work and could use structure, encouragement, and accountability to finish a book draft, Literary Cleveland Intensives are for you.

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Class Details

‍Genre: Short fiction.

‍Level: Advanced.

‍Format: Craft lectures, discussions, and writing workshops.

‍Location: This class takes place remotely online via Zoom.

‍Size: Limited to 8 participants (including scholarships).

‍Scholarships: Scholarship spots may be available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. If you are accepted for the class please let us know if you need a full or partial scholarship.

‍Cancellations & Refunds: There are no refunds for intensives.

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How to Apply

To apply for the 2025 Story Intensive you must have completed drafts of at least two stories. Complete the application form and submit and a 5-page sample of writing (double-spaced, 12-point font).

Click the register now button to apply or follow this link to the application: https://forms.gle/urXMS9hqZkbNPdNS7

Deadline for submissions is December 23. Writers selected for the class will be notified by January 3 and will need to complete registration by early January. Interest-free payment options available.