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Memoir IV

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WRITING X 423.4

Take your manuscript in progress toward the finish line in this course that helps you become a self-directed writer with a revision practice

Duration
As few as 10 weeks
Units
3.0
Current Formats
Live Online
Cost
Starting at $895.00

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What you can learn.

Refine your manuscript toward completion in this advanced workshop
Engage in intensive workshopping and critique with other writers at your level
Explore elements that contribute to a complete and compelling memoir
Learn self-editing skills you can use to refine your work in class and beyond

About This Course

Designed for serious writers with at least 100 pages of a manuscript who seek to refine their manuscripts into completed memoirs, this advanced workshop is centered on sustaining progress and polishing existing work. Through intensive instructor and peer critique, you will explore the necessary elements for a memoir to be considered complete. Self-editing techniques and preparing a book proposal will also be explored. The goal of the course is to give you the self-editing skills to complete and polish your manuscript and increase mastery over this artistic form.
Prerequisites
WRITING X 423.3 Memoir III or comparable workshop experience.

Spring 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Wednesday 6:00PM - 9:00PM PT
Instructor:
REG#
407570
Fee:
$895.00
Live Onlineformat icon
Remote Classroom
Updating...
Notes

Enrollment limited to 12 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. $100 non-refundable. Enrollment discounts limited to WP NOW members; no other discounts apply. Internet access required.

Admission to this course is by application only. The priority application deadline for applications is Monday, March 9, at 9am (PT). Applications submitted after this date are not guaranteed consideration.

Submission guidelines:

Submit one document (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins on all sides) containing:

  1. a 10-page writing sample;
  2. a synopsis of up to one page if the writing sample is an excerpt from a longer work (i.e. memoir);
  3. a personal statement of one paragraph outlining what the student hopes to gain from the class;
  4. and a list of previous courses completed in the Writers’ Program or other programs, with instructors (when known).

To apply:

Log in with your existing student account and then “add to cart”, or click “add to cart” and follow the prompts to create a new or returning student account. Then, follow the remaining instructions below:

  1. Click “Start” on the first Application page.
  2. On the 2nd Application page, click “Start” on the bottom left side of the page.
  3. After that, you will be asked to upload a writing sample, per the guidelines below.
  4. Once you finish the steps, click "Submit Application."

Please note that there are no pre-approvals. All students must submit the above requirements in order to be eligible for an advanced creative writing course.

NOTE: Despite being asked to enter payment information, YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED for this course unless you choose to enroll if/when you receive a notice of acceptance for the course.

Selection notices will likely be distributed via email 1-2 weeks before the class is scheduled to start.

This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Deadline
Refunds only available from February 02, 2026 to March 25, 2026
Course Requirements

Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

(Optional) THE FOREST FOR THE TREES (REVISED AND UPDATED) : AN EDITOR'S ADVICE TO WRITERS by LERNER, BETSY
HOW TO WRITE A BOOK PROPOSAL : THE INSIDER'S STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO PROPOSALS THAT GET YOU PUBLISHED by LARSEN, MICHAEL, REIN, JODY, AND MARZULLO, R.
BLUEPRINT FOR A MEMOIR: HOW TO WRITE A MEMOIR FOR THE MARKETPLACE by JENNIE NASH
(Optional) THINKING LIKE YOUR EDITOR : HOW TO WRITE GREAT SERIOUS NONFICTION AND GET IT PUBLISHED by RABINER, SUSAN AND FORTUNATO, ALFRED
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Wed Apr 1, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Apr 8, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Apr 15, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Apr 22, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Apr 29, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed May 6, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed May 13, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed May 20, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed May 27, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Jun 3, 2026
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom