creative writing workshops st louis

Workshops and Webinars

Keep an eye on this page for current and upcoming workshops and webinars!

I love working with groups of writers and I invite you to sign up for my free [Kim’s Notes] to be the first to find out when new classes and events are being offered.

My workshops are like a critique group, but more in-depth. I offer extensive feedback to participants and ask all group members to give thorough comments on the manuscript to each author. The vibe is always encouraging.

Many of my workshops are held in St. Louis but sometimes we’ll have a group that meets via Zoom. Below I’ve listed any current workshops and presentations and some I’ve offered in the past.

SUMMER 2024

St. louis oasis: the “hermit crab” form.

In the imaginative “hermit crab” form, a writer co-ops the shell of another textual genre—a wedding announcement, a class syllabus, a restaurant menu—and uses that form to organize their short story, essay, or poem. In this class, we will study hermit crab pieces, attempt to write our own, and share our work with the group for friendly feedback.  *6 sessions. Tues 1:00-3:00 pm., May 28/ Jun. 11, 25/ Jul. 9, 23/ Aug. 6 *1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., Webster Groves, MO CLASS FULL

WRITING SPOOKY STORIES: Free Webinar

Thurs. Oct. 3 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Zoom link coming soon

ST. LOUIS OASIS: Creative Writing Workshop

In this writing workshop, we’ll talk about the basics of writing fiction, memoir, personal essays, and poetry. I’ll provide optional writing prompts and class members will share their writing with the group for friendly feedback. All writing will be done outside of class and class time will focus on discussing student work. *6 Sessions, Sept. 24/ Oct, 8, 22/ Nov. 5, 19/ Dec. 3 *(2 sections) 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Clayton, MO | 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Webster Goves, MO * REGISTER

sample of past workshops and critique groups:

WRITING THE SHORT SHORT STORY : Call it what you will—quick fiction, fast fiction, microfiction, furious fiction, sudden fiction, or flash fiction—after decades of dormancy, this short short form has undergone a revival. The growing number of online magazines and a renewed interest by traditional publishers have contributed to an expanding readership interested in this brief style. In this workshop we will closely study the work of masters of flash fiction, discuss how the form’s demands of economy and precision can be met in our own work, and share our completed drafts of no more than 500 words.

THE ART OF WRITING FLASH NONFICTION : What is it about miniatures that so captures our imagination? The tiny wingtips of a commuter reading a newspaper on a model train, the turning windmill on a charm bracelet, a working chandelier in a dollhouse…small-scale wonders that fit in our hand. Similarly, the compression and attention to detail in flash nonfiction contribute to the form’s capacity to evoke feeling. In this workshop we will read a variety of flash nonfiction pieces and discuss ways to use the factual and the personal to craft brief essays that, although seemingly small, through sharp focus and smart crafting, can become large.

PROSE WRITING MASTERMIND : This small and focused group will be comprised of eight writers getting together for five weeks for a 5,000 word mastermind intensive. We’re highly focused on first pages here and we’ll critique everyone’s first page and then the entire piece. We’ll discuss point of view, characterization, story structure, scene vs. summary, creating tension, etc. Open to writers working on short stories, creative nonfiction pieces, and first chapters of novels and memoirs.

PROSE POETRY : The prose poem has been described as planting “one foot in prose, the other in poetry, both heels resting precariously on banana peels.” This may be a useful simile, but how do we figure out our footing? Without the line break, where does the boundary between poetry and prose run? This workshop invites prose writers and poets to explore how we might write in sentences and paragraphs to create poetry.

Lit Around The Lou

Everything Literature in and Around St. Louis, MO

Writer’s Groups and Conferences

Take a look the growing number of writer’s groups and gatherings below. Join one or join them all and become the best writer you can be!

WRITERS OF ST. CHARLES COUNTY

Writers of St. Charles County is a Facebook group for all things writing, in St. Charles County and surrounding areas of MO.Those who self publish, are traditionally published, or just starting out, are welcome to join us. Are you a blogger, journalist, or librarian? We also encourage those who are illustrators and editors to get involved in the conversation. While we do not have regular meetings outside of our online presence, many of our members take part in local activities, teach classes, hold seminars, and get together in order to build awareness and create interest in our literary endeavors. If you live in the area and would like to become a member, just click the link and send a request. We look forward to meeting you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/Writers.Of.St.Charles.County/

Saturday Writers meet most last Saturdays of the month at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre for more information CLICK HERE

Shut up & write st. louis.

Saint Louis, MO 114 Writers

Next Meetup

Shut Up & Write! St Louis

Tuesday, Feb 27, 2018, 7:00 PM 6 Attending

Check out this Meetup Group →

Shut Up and Write! St. Charles

Saint Charles, MO 15 Members

Calling all writers! Shut Up and Write! St. Charles is open to all writers, both fiction and non-fiction, of any genre. We will get together, and support each other in our eff…

The St. Louis Writers Meetup Group

Saint Louis, MO 2,336 Writers

Write Pack Radio – Live Podcast

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE!

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• September 15, 2015

Creative Writing Workshops

YourWords STL offers an array of workshops that allow young people to explore their creative side. The goal of these projects is to utilize art and evidence-based programming to improve writing skills, foster a love of reading and writing, encourage the development of identity and empathy, and inspire engagement in the community among marginalized youth.

The workshops use a range of mediums and topics as prompts for creative writing. In the past, these have included music, visual art, literature, movement, meditation, yoga, engineering, video, audio recordings, the natural environment, farming, and food. Each project concludes with opportunities for students to present their work to the community via an exhibit, performance, podcast, or published book.

Beginning at Marygrove in 2015, followed by Lift For Life Gym in 2016, YourWords STL led creative writing workshops each semester, and in July of 2019, we began providing creative writing and performance workshops for Dream Builders 4 Equity’s (DB4E) Summer Academy. Furthermore, we collaborated with 12 schools and organizations on eight different creative writing programs in 2021. These culminated in a diverse mix of projects: a student podcast series, a filmed lyrical play and live audience screening, a photography and poetry exhibit at St. Louis University’s Museum of Art, a poetry slam at the High Low, and informational science and storytelling videos by Washington University MARC U-STAR students.

In the summer of 2022, we began offering creative writing workshops as part of our partnership with Clay Community Resource Center (CCRC), in St. Louis’ Hyde Park neighborhood. A collaboration between St. Louis University, St. Louis Public Schools, LinkStL, and other area organizations, CCRC addresses the neighborhood’s need for afterschool programming. During the summer and fall of 2022, workshop series included Poetry and Performance with DB4E, Poetry and Podcasting with LinkStL, Creative Writing, Painting and Sustainable Farming with Phi Global and CCRC. With funding from the Missouri Arts Council, young people were able to build and plant raised bed gardens while engaging in creative writing workshops.

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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

• Creative Writing & Storytelling

Fall Session: September 23 – November 15, 2024

Registration opens august 27 at 8 a.m..

Hobbyists and professionals, many OLLI members love to write.  We celebrate and support this aspect of our community.

Writing Groups & Courses

4- or 8-week courses, OLLI writers gather to share their work and encourage each other.

Get Your Novel Written

Thursdays, 10 am – Noon

ONLINE CLASS Led by Karen Sterbenz, Sarah Wilson

Memoirs: Writing Life Stories

Mondays, 1 – 3 pm

IN-PERSON CLASS Led by David Krausch, Peg Wehrenberg

Tuesdays, 10 am – Noon

ONLINE CLASS Led by Shirley Baker & David Krausch

ONLINE CLASS Led by Ellen Boone, Rudy Yanuck

Tuesdays, 1 – 3 pm

ONLINE CLASS Led by Ruby Lapin & Jeannette Altman

Turning Life into Fiction

Mondays, 10 am – Noon

ONLINE CLASS Led by Karen Sterbenz, Rita Hulbert

Writing for Ourselves

Thursdays, 1 – 3 pm

ONLINE CLASS Led by Nina Kaplan, Rita Hulbert, Dennis Smith, January Kiefer

Writing Poetry

IN-PERSON CLASS Led by Polly Willard

Read our work Highlights from OLLI authors featured in Writers’ Showcase 2023 are available here .

Hear our work A sample of OLLI’s resident storyteller January Kiefer’s work is available to listen to here .

Potpourri literary compendium An anthology of fiction, memoir, essay and poetry written by OLLI members.  A vailable for purchase now .

OLLI authors Our OLLI members have published books on a range of topics . 

• Special Interest Groups
• Lectures & Events

System Maintenance

We will be performing maintenance to our library system software on Monday, August 19 from 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Our online catalog, mobile app, databases and eMedia applications (such as Libby and Hoopla) will experience downtime as we complete this work. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Early Branch Closure

The Florissant Valley Branch will be closing at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 30 for the Hip Hop Block Party .

Creative Writing Workshop

An 8 week workshop where writers and aspiring writers examine basic principles of good writing and share and critique personal work. Essays, short stories, memoirs, novel chapters--all are welcome. Adults. Upstairs Program Room. Registration note: this is a series of 8 workshop sessions. Registration for the first session, on September 4th, registers participants for the whole series.

Saint Louis Poetry Center

Sunday Workshop

Saint Louis Poetry Center’s signature program, Sunday Workshop is the longest running poetry writing workshop in St. Louis. These workshops are offered as a free service to local poets, with notable poet critics commenting on pre-submitted works in a friendly and constructive group setting.

Series Curators: Jessica Freeman & Elena Kang

Upcoming Guest Critics

February 25 Teresa Dzieglewicz – CANCELLED

March 17 Eamonn Wall

April 7 Edgar Kunz & Reyes Ramirez

May – August Summer Break!

Sunday Workshop and COVID-19

In the interest of public health, Sunday Workshops will be offered as  socially-distanced  workshops until further notice. They will take place with limited capacity in person at High Low. Patrons are encouraged to wear face masks when attending in-person. If you are not submitting a poem but would like to attend, please email us at [email protected] to register.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Submit only one poem, one page in length, 12pt or 14pt font.  Provide name, mailing address, phone number and email address.   Email submissions will be acknowledged within 48 hours of receipt.  Submissions due by 12 midnight one week prior to the workshop date.  Those submitting poems are expected to attend the workshop.

To submit poems by email: [email protected] “Workshop Submission” in subject line Attachment as Microsoft Word document

To submit poems by mail: We are not accepting mailed submissions at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Everyone, regardless of experience or SLPC membership, is encouraged to participate. You do not need to submit a poem to attend. Workshops are free and open to the public.

2024-25 Bulletin

Creative writing.

The creative writing courses at the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) are open to all students with writing skills comparable to those typically learned in English Composition 111 and 203. CAPS offers a 16-unit Certificate in Creative Writing for those who want to explore in depth, and achieve significant mastery in, the art of writing fiction or creative nonfiction.

Instructors in this program are experienced professional writers, most of whom are associated with the Washington University Graduate Writing Program and the Department of English. All of the craft courses are taught using the workshop model, with open discussion and detailed, constructive criticism of each student's writing.

This program can be completed entirely online.

Contact Info

Certificate in Creative Writing

Students may specialize in fiction or creative nonfiction. Each student will take five 3-credit, advanced-level (300 or higher) courses, including three courses devoted to mastering the craft of writing in the chosen specialty genre, one course primarily in the reading and analysis of the literature in that genre, and one course in a second genre.

The student's final course in the program will be taken for 4 credits rather than the usual 3, and it will include a 1-credit meta-commentary assignment. This assignment requires students to step back from the particular course and describe (in 1500 words) what they have learned about the differences between and similarities among the genres investigated and how these have affected their choice of genre. Students should look at the strategies they have chosen in their writing and explain why they chose them for a particular purpose. The goals of this assignment are for students to demonstrate the skills that they have learned during the course of their certificate studies as they think about the genres they have examined and to show how these skills govern their approach to creative writing.

Students with little previous experience in creative writing are encouraged to begin with a 200-level writing course or workshop as a foundation for the more advanced courses that will count toward the certificate.

Sample Courses

This program is offered either mostly or fully online. Students entering the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 Visa must enroll in a program full time. F-1 students are only permitted to enroll in one online course per semester and J-1 students may only enroll in non-credit online courses that do not count toward their degree program. The School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) cannot guarantee face-to-face enrollment options each semester of full time enrollment, therefore cannot issue an I-20 or DS 2019 to F-1 and J-1 students for this program. If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and wish to enroll in a CAPS program while here on a Visa, please contact our recruitment team to discuss your options for face-to-face program enrollment. F-1 and J-1 students should not enroll in online courses or programs without first consulting the university’s Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS).  

Visit online course listings to view semester offerings for U11 EComp .

U11 EComp 3013 Writing Horror Across the Globe

Fear is a universal human experience. Yet the majority of the horror landscape is focused on American/English voices and experiences. This course will explore the breadth and depth of diversity in the horror genre, focusing on authors from across the world and from traditionally underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds and cultures in the genre industry. Readings will span the globe and different mediums, from short stories to novels, manga to poetry. Students will develop their skills as writers of horror, focusing on researching other cultures and folklore, and how to write diverse characters and voices in a respectful manner.

Credit 3 units. UColl : CD, OLI

U11 EComp 304 Exposition

In this advanced composition course, students will craft thoughtful and stylistically engaging essays that explore St. Louis--its history, culture, politics, arts, industry, challenges, and opportunities. Our pieces will range from the formal and scholarly to the creative, experimental, and professional, allowing us to consider how audience and purpose shape our writing.  Students will engage in regular critique of their own and others' writing, with attention to issues such as organization, clarity, sentence structure, and tone. Prerequisite: Critical and Researched Writing (U11 203 or U11 203M).

Credit 3 units. UColl : OLI

U11 EComp 305 Humans Reading & Writing Humans: Creative Writing for Healthcare Professionals

In "What To Do With Stories," Rita Charon, MD, PhD, describes narrative medicine as a "clinical practice fortified by narrative competence-the capacity to recognize, absorb, metabolize, interpret, and be moved by stories of illness;" this capacity enables healthcare providers to connect with patients "by hearing them out fully." This course seeks to introduce healthcare professionals to practices common in creative writing workshops-close reading, workshopping, reflective thinking-to inspire them develop new means of drawing out and being responsive to their patients' stories. Just as a reader close-reads a text, a healthcare provider close-reads a patient. To echo the conditions under which healthcare professionals often engage with patients-brief, intense encounters of sharp sensory stimulation marked by urgent needs, mixed signals, and/or high stakes-this class will focus on short literary fiction, a demanding and often enigmatic form that challenges assumptions about characters, resists formulaic plots, and requires readers to practice inference. The coursework will be organized around investigations of the major components of narrative-character, point of view, and plot-via a circuit of activities, namely, social reading; guided creative/reflective writing sequences; and the exchange of peer feedback. No previous creative writing coursework is required.

Credit 3 units. UColl : HUM, OLI

U11 EComp 310 Genre Writing

This course is a creative writing workshop dedicated to genre fiction. With a primary focus on the contemporary genre story, the course will cover new and classic science fiction, fantasy, crime writing, and much more. Through a series of readings and writing workshops, we will discuss the craft of genre writing from the traditional to the contemporary, including long-standing genre conventions, recent cross-genre trends, and the current role of genre fiction in the literary landscape. This course can count toward the major in English for day students.

U11 EComp 3120 Argumentation

This advanced writing course examines the strategies of argumentation, exploring such elements of argument as the enthymeme, the three appeals, claim types, and fallacies. Prerequisite: U11 203 or 203M.

Credit 3 units. Arch : HUM Art : HUM BU : HUM EN : H UColl : OLI

U11 EComp 313 Creative Nonfiction

This is a workshop for students interested in writing creative nonfiction and the personal essay. We examine the narrative techniques that writers use to shape their life experiences and observations. Students experiment with different approaches to writing process and have opportunities to complete work in various modes, such as memoir and the lyrical essay. We will also read published nonfiction essays that illuminate various aspects of style and craft.

U11 EComp 3151 Nonfiction: Reading and Writing the Memoir

In this generative writing workshop, we study the techniques of creative writing through both reading and writing memoir with a particular interest in combining personal experience with an awareness of cultural and historical place. To this end, we will read a selection of global memoirs with an eye toward understanding the ways in which they demonstrate the intersection of storytelling and voice within cultural and historical contexts, and we will use these works as models for generating, workshopping, and revising our own memoirs.

Credit 3 units. UColl : CD, HUM, OLI

U11 EComp 3153 Creative Nonfiction: Writing Ourselves, Writing the World

In this course, we will explore memoirs, essay collections, and individual articles in which the writers have merged their observations and research of the natural world with their own personal experiences or philosophical inquiries. We will consider biologist David George Haskell's The Forest Unseen alongside essay collections by nonfiction writer Amy Leach (Things that Are), fiction writer Michael Martone (The Flatness and Other Landscapes), and poet Mary Oliver (Long Life), as well as excerpts from books by Eula Biss, Bill Holm, Barbara Hurd, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Lawrence Weschler. From these writers, we will learn how one might offer a view of the self through the lens of environment, place, biography, history, and reflection. Each student will also work on a manuscript of similar variety from idea to finished product.

U11 EComp 316 Poetry Writing

This course is an open-level poetry workshop for writers interested in exploring the craft of poetry. We will discuss uses of imagery, language, and rhythm in the context of creating experience and meaning in poetic form. Students will share original work--often generated from class activities and exercises--for discussion with the class. This course can count toward the major in English for day students.

U11 EComp 317 Fiction Writing: The Moral of the Story: Writing Fiction about Ethics, Philosophy, and Morality

Why do stories matter? How do stories help us grow? How do they challenge us? And how do they help us explore issues and ideas both new and old? This course is a fiction writing workshop with a focus on stories that deal in complex and meaningful ways with the world we live in. We read, write, and discuss stories that complicate the way we think and open new doors for considering what we believe, value, desire, and fear. In addition to reading a diverse group of authors with varying perspectives and styles, including queer writers, Latinx writers, and writers of color, our main goals are to write and share new original fiction writing and to discuss how elements of craft can help reveal the issues and ideas that our stories explore.

U11 EComp 3171 Long-Form Fiction Writing: The Short Novel and the Long Short Story

This course will explore the process of writing longer-form narratives, building on the knowledge of the craft and structure of the short story gained in Fiction Writing. We will introduce and practice strategies for plotting, researching, and developing story ideas into feasible long-term projects, rather than producing a finished full-length manuscript. We will read and analyze short novels and long short stories across multiple genres and styles. The diverse range of texts include novels by Michael Ondaatje, Jenny Offill, James Baldwin, Anne Carson and Danielle Dutton, as well as short stories by Kelly Link, Leo Tolstoy, Alice Munro and Franz Kafka. Prerequisite: U11 317 Fiction Writing.

Credit 3 units.

U11 EComp 317K Fiction Writing: Young Adult Fiction

This is a workshop in writing in the wildly popular genre of Young Adult fiction. Through readings in a variety of recent YA novels, we'll discover how the pros negotiate the particular challenges (and joys) of writing for this age group; through a series of coordinated writing exercises, we'll practice crafting the building blocks of the solid YA story/novel (plot, character, setting, etc.); then, through workshop discussion, students will draft and submit their own YA story or novel sample chapter(s) for constructive response and critique. Writers of all (or no!) levels of prior practice or accomplishment are invited.

U11 EComp 317M Fiction Writing

Online version of the course U11 317. In this course, students will write, learn how to read like a writer, and write some more. Our focus will be on short fiction, and our approach will be to explore the stages linking inspiration to the final (or nearly final) draft -- in other words, we will explore how to find a story idea and how to grow it. The course will be run as a virtual workshop, which means that students will be actively engaged in meaningful online discussions about their classmates' original works-in-progress, and they will make their own compositions available for such discussions. Students will also be prompted -- via regular weekly reading responses and writing exercises -- to examine common craft-of-fiction elements, from the basic building blocks of stories such as details, characters, and dialogue to more slippery units of narrative design such as scene, summary, point of view, and theme. Along the way, we will also read a range of published short stories, from classics to works by contemporary masters.

U11 EComp 318 Fiction Seminar

This course is designed to introduce students to the craft of horror writing. Horror is a very popular genre in both literature and film, dating back to Gothic literature in England. Readings and writing activities will focus on three units of horror as outlined in The Dark Descent and will span the last 100 years of the genre, consisting of several short stories and two novels, offering students a foundation in the many different stories published in the horror genre. Academic texts and writing exercises will discuss what makes a horror story work and will help to build students' "toolboxes" when writing horror, with a focus on plot, character development, emotional, and tension building.

U11 EComp 321 Advanced Writing

U11 EComp 322 Writing Historical Fiction

This course is for writers working on short stories or novels of all genres. We will focus on preparing fiction for publication, presentation to an agent, or as part of an application portfolio for an MFA program or grant. Through assigned readings, craft discussions, and workshopping, we will hone the writer's craft. Additionally, we learn about the current literary marketplace, including magazines, small presses, self-publication and literary agencies. Each student will receive evaluation from the instructor as well as critique from fellow students.

U11 EComp 323 The Art of the Personal Essay

In this course we will study the structures, techniques, and boundaries of the personal essay in which the writer is observer, participant, and storyteller. We will examine traditional and experimental forms of the personal essay, as well as essays that discuss the craft of this genre of writing. We will use these works as models and guides for generating, workshopping, and revising our own personal essays.

U11 EComp 324 Writing for Public Speaking

A course in organizational communications drawing upon the "means of persuasion" from classical rhetoric to PowerPoint. Practice in writing, speaking, and listening in the various formats: paper, oral presentations, and Internet. Comparative analysis of what works best with varying topics, situations, audiences, and purposes. Prerequisite: U11 203 or 203M.

U11 EComp 327 Writing The Short-Short Story and Ten-Minute Play

In this class we will concentrate on the short forms of microfiction and ten-minute plays, exploring what kinds of stories we can tell in a short space. We will examine a variety of creative writing techniques, including character development, conflict, voice, story arc, setting, images, and especially dialogue. The heart of this class is workshop, but we will read aloud and study models and examples in each genre.

U11 EComp 330 The Art of Nature and Travel Writing

In this creative nonfiction course, students will discover the art of the essay in the realm of nature and travel writing and will write their own personally voiced narratives in which "place" plays a central role. Whether your journeys take you up the road, around the world, or more deeply into an environment you have experienced over time, attending to the sensory details, landscape, culture, and history of a place provides rich material for exploration. We will read and discuss essays by some of the many great writers who have worked in this genre, including traditionally underrepresented voices. Through an active learning approach, students will generate and share new work and provide each other feedback in a supportive, collaborative workshop setting. The writers we will focus on range from Rebecca Solnit, James Baldwin, Rahawa Haile, Barry Lopez, Annie Dillard, Terry Tempest Williams, and Pico Iyer, to Colson Whitehead, Leslie Jamison, John Jeremiah Sullivan, Patricia Hampl, and Ryan Knighton.

U11 EComp 331 Technical Writing

For those whose professions require them to present complex information precisely, logically, and efficiently. Examination of the audiences for technical writing and effective methods of organizing information to meet their needs. Variety of formats: letters, memos, trip reports, progress reports, proposals, and informal reports. Prerequisite: U11 203 or 203M.

U11 EComp 332 Introduction to Screenwriting

In this screenwriting class students will learn the various components necessary for writing a motion picture screenplay. Students will conceive and write the first act of a full-length screenplay, complete a full-length story synopsis, and complete a few in-class and take-home exercises. During weekly table reads, students will read and critique each other's work. We also will view and evaluate films, and analyze excerpts from successful movie screenplays, looking closely at the elements of plot and structure, character, dialogue, theme, genre, style, and format. Previous screenwriting experience is not required. Same as U18 Film 332

U11 EComp 3321 Advanced Screenwriting

This course is intended for students who have already taken FMS 332: "Introduction to Screenwriting" at the U College ( or a comparable introductory course elsewhere). Building on past experiences, students will continue their work in the craft of screenwriting by expanding their knowledge about screenwriting techniques. Students will complete Act II ( Approx. 45-50 pages) & Act III (Approx. 20 pages) of the feature length script they began in the introductory course. Topics and reading will include advanced plot structure, genre conventions, story archetypes, sequencing, POV, adaptions, short & independent film, query letters, and script pitches. In particular, script rewriting will be explored. This course will not count towards requirements in the FMS major or minor. Same as U18 Film 3321

U11 EComp 337 The Long Form

This course is a seminar and workshop for students interested in writing novels, memoirs, reportage, or collections (short stories, essays, or poems). We will study published works for techniques used to create a narrative, thematic, and/or technical arc. We will workshop our own writings, with the goal of understanding their places within a larger work, from proposing and outlining a full-length manuscript to sculpting an anchor piece for the larger work. Prerequisite: a 300-level writing course or instructor's permission.

U11 EComp 338 Writing Adventure and Creating Action

This course will study and practice the techniques necessary to write active and adventurous prose, both fiction and nonfiction. Topics include writing mechanics and style with the goal of mastering the diction and syntax of action while avoiding cliché or melodrama. We also examine broader craft elements such as pacing, scenes, setting, character development, adventure archetypes, suspense, and voice. Readings include adventure writers such as Elizabeth Gilbert, Ernest Hemingway, Pam Houston, Jon Krakauer, Herman Melville, Kira Salak, Gary Shteyngart, Cheryl Strayed, Mark Twain, and Jules Verne. Students will complete exercises and three stories of varying lengths, with at least one in each mode, to be shared in a workshop setting.

U11 EComp 339 Masters of Fantasy Writing

As one of the most commonly read genres of literature, fantasy offers its readers an escape from the everyday mundane into worlds where anything is possible. For writers of fantasy, the genre is a space where no topic is off limits and where they can let their imaginations run wild. This course explores the craft of fantasy writing and the many worlds an author can create, with a focus on the short story and novella form. Weekly readings of novellas and short stories will span the masters of fantasy literature, including Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, Ursula K. LeGuin, Anne McCaffrey and many more. Academic texts and writing exercises will build on students' "writing toolboxes," with a focus on emotion, dialogue, and description. Our goals are to explore the modern trends in fantasy and what makes successful fantasy literature; to understand the different process and style of writing a short story versus a novella in fantasy; to be able to develop an idea into a polished draft of a fantasy short story or the beginnings of a novella; and to improve the workshopping skills crucial to the development and revision process in creative writing.

U11 EComp 340 The Magazine Feature: Idea to Finished Product

This course will explore the process of conceiving, reporting, drafting, revising, and placing a magazine feature story. We will read exemplary long-form magazine journalism - sometimes called literary journalism or narrative nonfiction - with an eye to process and craft. How do we find stories? What is the relationship between reporting and the published piece? How do we shed new light on common themes and approach storytelling in innovative ways? During the term, each student will develop a feature profile: securing a subject, devising a reporting strategy, incorporating research, and ultimately, exploring voice, theme, and structure through multiple drafts. The course will include literary analysis and discussion, writing exercises, workshop-style discussion of student work, and will prepare interested students to pitch their stories for publication.

U11 EComp 357 Writing Creatively for Magazine and Online Publication

This course is a writing workshop focused on a wide variety of nonfiction for both print and online venues. We will read and discuss forms of writing such as magazine feature stories, short- and long-form narrative reporting, informative personal and opinion writing, and much more. Our goal will be to produce smart, entertaining writing that can gain a reader's interest and inform readers at the same time. Whether you are interested in publishing magazine features or more informal, personal writing online, we will study and practice how to use research, storytelling, and your own original voice to make topics both fascinating and easy to read. Students will design and write their own projects, write and share a variety of short exercises, and workshop material from the class. We will also read a wide variety of published writing from different publishing venues and platforms. The course will provide a positive, engaging space for you to improve your writing skills and produce polished, high quality writing of your own.

U11 EComp 358 Multi-media Storytelling for Creative Writers

Storytelling in the 21st century is increasingly a digitized endeavor, with creators adapting their work to engage readers who seek material via electronic devices. These complimentary formats may include embedded images, graphics, maps, audio or music recordings, videos, animations, twitter feeds, blog posts, and social media profiles. With an emphasis on writing fiction or nonfiction prose that can be accompanied by such media, this hybrid online course will explore and practice the many forms and techniques of transmedia storytelling. Students will propose, design, draft, and present a single transmedia narrative spanning a variety of formats. No advanced computer skills, equipment, or software are required.

U11 EComp 371 Narrative Structure and Story Development

U11 EComp 400 Independent Study

Credit variable, maximum 3 units.

U11 EComp 4012 Workshop in Composition: Adapting Writing Center Pedagogy to Elementary School

A collaborative workshop for elementary school teachers, facilitated by the Director of Washington University's Writing Center. Members will learn the art of one-to-one writing instruction and explore ways of adapting this pedagogical model to their elementary school setting. Bi-weekly journal, literary memoir and theory-into-practice project required. By permission only.

Credit 1 unit.

U11 EComp 4500 Fundamentals of Novel Writing

This course is for students seriously interested in the art and process of writing novel length fiction, including both Genre Fiction and Literary Fiction. The course will explore the process of developing a story idea, fleshing out the world the story is set in, creating full three dimensional characters, plotting stories, and developing writing habits necessary to complete a full-length novel. Students will complete the "90-day Novel" approach created by Alan Watt and are expected to write the first third of a first draft novel by the end of the semester, approximately 20k words or 80 pages. While students will write their novels individually, they will present outlines to the class and participate in regular discussion with classmates and the instructor to ensure the process moves along smoothly. Readings will revolve around improving the students' writing skills and the early stages of novel writing, as well as examples of published novels. Class time will be spent building the toolkit necessary to prepare and sustain writing a full-length novel. Writing exercises will allow students to spend time practicing the lessons as well as working on their novels. Students should enter the course with an idea for a novel they'd like to write and be ready to commit to daily writing in order to accomplish the goal of a third of a novel by the end of the semester. Prerequisite: At least one class in creative writing, preferably fiction or nonfiction

U11 EComp 494 Voices in Action

What sparks and sustains people's movements for social justice? This history and creative-writing course explores the contexts and expressions of 20th century and contemporary protest movements, ranging from labor, civil rights, the Vietnam War, ethnic people and women's movements, to contemporary social and environmental justice movements. We will explore speeches, manifestos, visual and oral texts, songs, and poetry to consider how dissent is voiced in response to specific social contexts and historic events. We will consider the role of personal expression in enacting democracy, focusing on poetry that helps articulate what is at stake in the protest movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. We will examine how language moves people, raising awareness of the facts and felt experiences of injustice, helping to fuel social movements and "call forth a public" to make change. Assignments include a mix of historical analysis, ethnographic and participatory work, creative writing, and reflection. Same as U89 AMCS 494

Credit 3 units. UColl : ACF, ACH, ACS, HUM

Continuing & Professional Studies

Certificate in Creative Writing

The creative writing courses at the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) are open to all students with writing skills comparable to those typically learned in English Composition 111 and 203. CAPS offers a 16-unit certificate program in Creative Writing for those who want to explore in depth, and achieve significant mastery in, the art of writing fiction or creative nonfiction. Students are able to complete this certificate online, however, course availability may vary depending on the semester.

Instructors in this program are experienced professional writers, most of whom are associated with the Washington University Graduate Writing Program and the Department of English. All of the craft courses are taught using the workshop model, with open discussion and detailed, constructive criticism of each student’s writing.

Business-related programs at CAPS are not accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) at Washington University. Most courses are three units.

This program is offered either mostly or fully online.  Students entering the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 Visa must enroll in a program full time.  F-1 students are only permitted to enroll in one online course per semester and J-1 students may only enroll in non-credit online courses that do not count toward their degree program.  The School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) cannot guarantee face-to-face enrollment options each semester of full time enrollment, therefore cannot issue an I-20 or DS 2019 to F-1 and J-1 students for this program.  If you are an F-1 or J-1 student and wish to enroll in a CAPS program while here on a Visa, please contact our recruitment team to discuss your options for face-to-face program enrollment.  F-1 and J-1 students should not enroll in online courses or programs without first consulting the university’s Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS).

Program Course Work – 16 Units

Students may specialize in fiction or creative nonfiction.

Each student will take five 3-credit, advanced-level (300 or higher) courses, including three courses devoted to mastering the craft of writing in the chosen specialty genre, one course primarily in reading and analysis of the literature in that genre, and one course in a second genre.

The student’s final course in the program will be taken for four credits, rather than the usual three, and will include a 1-credit meta-commentary assignment. This assignment requires students to step back from the particular course and describe (in 1500 words) what they have learned about the differences between and similarities among the genres investigated and how these have affected their choice of genre. Students should look at the strategies they have chosen in their writing and explain why they chose them for a particular purpose. The goals of this assignment are for students to demonstrate the skills that they have learned during the course of their certificate studies as they think about the genres they have examined and to show how these skills govern their approach to creative writing.

Students with little previous experience in creative writing are encouraged to begin with a 200-level writing course or workshop as a foundation for the more advanced courses that will count toward the certificate.

Sample Courses Include:

• U11 316 – POETRY WRITING
• U11 317 – FICTION WRITING
• U11 318 – FICTION SEMINAR
• U11 3151 – NONFICTION: READING AND WRITING THE MEMOIR
• U11 3153 – CREATIVE NONFICTION: WRITING OURSELVES, WRITING THE WORLD
• U11 323 – THE ART OF THE PERSONAL ESSAY
• U11 4500 – FUNDAMENTALS OF NOVEL WRITING

Ready to get started? Contact a student recruiter today.

Meet with a student recruiter

Schedule time with a student recruiter today to find out how you can get the most out of your CAPS programs and courses.

MWG Chapters

The Missouri Writers’ Guild has chapters throughout the state. Chapters meet regularly for members to share writing tips and ideas, listen to presentations by successful authors, learn about various genres of writing, and network with other writers and editors. Some chapters also offer readings and critique groups. In addition, many chapters offer special programs, such as writing workshops, public readings, contests, and anthologies. Find your region, and feel free to email the contact person OR check out their website. If you have any issues or questions, please email the MWG Board at [email protected]

Columbia Writers Guild Missouri

The Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers’ Guild has served the writers of Central Missouri since 1959. We sponsor a variety of activities throughout the year to provide writers both the encouragement to keep writing and the opportunity to perfect their craft. This includes writing contests, challenges, open mic, critique sessions, intensive critique sessions for novelists, and genre round tables. Not the least of these is our annual anthology, Well Versed which has taken 1st and 2nd place in recent contests for Missouri-born anthologies.https://ccmwg.org/

We invite anyone who writes or wants to write to join in our efforts by becoming a member of the CCMWG. Our membership is diverse, representing many literary genres and levels of both ambition and accomplishment. Writers who want merely to write for their own enjoyment and self-expression are as welcome as those who regularly find publishers for their work. Come and visit some of the activities detailed on these pages and join us in the promotion of the craft of writing in Central Missouri.

Information about our next meetings will be found on the Meetings page, as well as our upcoming Conference in partnership with Mizzou Publishing called Show Me Writers: Masterclass.

Rubidoux Writers Society Waynesville, Missouri

We are a group of local writers, authors, editors, and publishers interested in encouraging, sharing, and learning about the writing industry.

Boonslick Creative Writers Group

Cape Girardeau

Southeast Missouri Writers’ Guild (SMWG) is now in its ninth year as a chapter of Missouri Writers Guild. Holding monthly meetings from January-September, they bring in speakers from all facets of the writing and publishing world. Members are writers in all genres and include already published and aspiring authors. Everyone age high-school to adult is welcome to join.

This year, SMWG is joining forces with Heartland Writers Guild to plan their first-ever combined anthology.

Website: https://southeastmowriters.wixsite.com/website

Hannibal Writers Guild: Ryan Patrick Freeman, President.

Website: More information available on their Facebook page .

Joplin Writers Guild: Chanin Bissinger, President. Email for more info: Larry Wood at   [email protected]

Website:  https://missouriwritersguild.org/joplin-writers-guild/

Marshall Writers’ Guild: Sidney West Sullivan, President. Email for more information:  [email protected]

Website:  http://sullivansfarms.net/writersguild

Maryville Chapter: Amy Houts, contact person. Email for more information: [email protected]  

Website:  http://maryvillewritersguild.blogspot.com/

Springfield

Website:  https://springfieldwritersguild.org/

St. Louis Writers Guild Officers: David Lucas, President. Email for more info: Peter Green at  [email protected]

Website:  http://www.stlwritersguild.org/

Saturday Writers: 100+ members strong. Jeffrey Czuchna, President. Email for more information:  [email protected]

Website:  http://saturdaywriters.org/index.html

Department of English

Let your curiosity lead the way:

Apply Today

• Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Studies in A&S

Undergraduate Program

Undergraduates who major or minor in English explore literature as readers and writers in small classes that focus on the individual student. For those who choose to Major in English, we offer concentrations in Creative Writing and Publishing. With help from our wide array of course topics and intellectual approaches, alumni of the English department have succeeded in top-notch graduate programs in law, business and medicine as well as in English and creative writing.

Graduate Studies

The department is home to one of the best and most generously funded English PhD programs in North America. It is dedicated to training superb scholars and well-rounded teachers of literature able to meet the expectations of the challenging academic job market and to pursue rewarding alternative careers.

A Statement from the Department of English

In the wake of the slaying of George Floyd, and of so many African Americans before him, the department of English at Washington University in St. Louis maintains that Black books and Black Lives Matter. Current circumstance also compels us...

Our Community

We are a community of readers and writers, scholars and teachers. We range across the literatures of English in space as well as time, combining global diversity with broad historical coverage. This resource opens for you as students under the guidance of faculty who are committed to their roles as teachers and mentors. In our department, you will feel at once welcomed and challenged—starting with the openness of our faculty, staff, and students and stretching to the novel encounters with language your peers and instructors will help to spark.

About our Department

English is one of the most storied departments in the College of Arts & Sciences. Our recent history includes two U.S. Poet Laureates and multiple National Book Award winners as well as noted scholars in many fields of literary history. Our accomplishments as a faculty become an invitation, for you as students, to reach the level of excellence you expect of yourselves, whether in the form of a national award or an essay or poem well written. We have been recognized as exceptional in this respect:  USA Today  has ranked us as the sixth-best home in the nation for undergraduate authors, while  College Magazine  has placed us at number eight. Such recognition testifies to the tradition of collaboration in our department, where we share the experience of literature’s power to enlighten, inspire, challenge, and lead.

Concentrations in Creative Writing and Publishing

Undergraduate English majors have the opportunity to pursue a concentration in one of two specializations: Creative Writing and Publishing.

The Creative Writing program at WUSTL is one of the premier programs in the country. As undergraduate concentrators, students can pursue their interest in creative writing, and specialize in one of three workshop genres: fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry. The program also offers a wide array of electives in the craft of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, including microfiction, humor writing, prose poetry, place, dialogue, experimental writing and much more. More information on the requirements for the concentration can be found here. 

The Publishing concentration offers undergraduate students a chance to explore both the business and artistic sides of book publishing. The program throws a wide net, with courses focused on various areas of publishing, its history and contexts. Concentrators also engage with publishing from a practical perspective, with regular course visits by publishing professionals and opportunities to work on publications affiliated with WUSTL, such as the magazine The Spectacle and the feminist publisher Dorothy . The program allows for limited coursework in the Art and Business schools, and we work to place interested students in professional internships.

Both concentrations involve an additional six credit hours to the requirements of the English major. More information on both programs and their requirements can be found here . 

Recent News

Rafia zafar guest edits african american review’s special issue on arturo alfonso schomburg.

This special issue of African American Review remembers, recharges, and reimagines the legacy of Afro-Borinqueño visionary Arturo Alfonso Schomburg.

Making space for novel-writing

Kathryn Davis runs an innovative workshop that allows graduate students the space and time to write novels.

Learn a new craft or sharpen your skills at these local classes and workshops

From acting to woodworking, there are plenty of local spots to learn a new skill or stretch your creative muscles.

by Maya Wilkins , Grace Snelling , Gaby Mendoza , Sophie Ayers , Eliana Jenkins

March 6, 2024

Courtesy of Bowood Farms

St. Louis is filled with organizations and professionals offering a wide variety of courses and workshops for anyone interested in feeding their creative side. Here's our guide to some of the many craft and hobby classes available around town this spring, whether your natural abilities lean more toward macaroni necklaces or mastering woodworking. Be sure to check with organizations in advance for registration and schedule details, and enjoy the thrill of making or learning something new.

Jump to section:

• Blacksmithing
• Bookbinding
• Candlemaking
• Clay/Ceramics
• Comedy/Improv
• Creative Writing
• Florals/Gardening
• Jewelry/Beadwork
• Leatherworking
• Metalworking
• Paper/Printing
• Photography
• Woodworking

Acting Classes

greenroomactingstudio.com

The Green Room Acting Studio provides Zoom acting classes for kids, teenagers, and adults in the St. Louis area. The studio offers a $35 trial class. After that, monthly classes cost $145 per month for kids and $195 per month for teenagers and adults.  

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Acting Classes 

6880 Washington , cocastl.org

The Center for Creative Arts (COCA) offers classes in various theater disciplines such as costume intensives, creative drama, improvisation, and summer intensives where plays and musicals are performed. Summer intensives range from $330-396.

8045 Big Bend, gcpastl.org

The Gateway Center for Performing Arts offers acting classes for all ages, as well as summer camps, intensives, and performing opportunities. One-on-one private coaching lessons are also available for several disciplines, including vocal and instrumental music, dance, and acting instruction. Prices and schedules vary.

BLACKSMITHING

Learn the Art of Blacksmithing- 5 Weeks 

8145 Delmar, craftstl.com

Learn the art of forging and craft your own technique during this five-part beginner blacksmithing course. Creating about one project this week, this course encourages learning the craft through twisting metal techniques, hot cut splitting, and hot hole punches. Protective clothing is encouraged due to the heat and hammering! March 6- April 3. $572 for the five-part course.   

Various Classes

5080 Delmar, craftalliance.org

A wide variety of blacksmithing classes will be provided at Craft Alliance this spring. Grasp the fundamentals of the medium with the six-week course “Introduction to Blacksmithing,” where you’ll learn how to hand-forge and manipulate metal. Slightly more niche classes include “Making a Cheese Knife” and “Making a Fire Poker.”

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BOOKBINDING

Japanese Stab Binding 

2624 North 14th, centralprint.org 

Central Print will be hosting a stab binding course this spring, where you will work through the process of Japanese stab-printing with decorative paper and colors. April 20. Cost is $55, decorative materials will be provided for the one session course.  

Soft Cover Stab Binding

3762 S. Broadway, perennialstl.org

Perennial St. Louis will be offering another Japanese stab-binding course, which employs simple, classic sewing to create your own soft cover album. Participants are invited to use their own colors and decorative paper to personalize their covers. The two-hour workshop costs $55. May 20.

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CANDLEMAKING

Candlemaking Sessions

104 South Main, thecandlefusionstudio.com  

Explore more than 100 fragrances at the Candle Fusion Studio, where patrons can create their own custom soy candle or room sprays, body mists, spa salts, and wax tarts. The studio takes walk-in appointments for individuals or small groups, but reservations are recommended for groups with six or more people.

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CLAY/CERAMICS

Pottery Open Workshop

3816 South Broadway, southbroadwayartproject.org 

The South Broadway Art Project hosts Open Workshop, which provides pottery students with as much instruction as they want or need to learn. Students learn at their own pace and can take part in classes such as the Make-A-Mug Workshop, Glaze & Paint Your Own Pottery, and Clay Date Night. The group offers a 10 or 28 Hour Pass or Monthly Membership, which are $95, $185, and $150, respectively.

Wheel Throwing

12580 Rott, laumeiersculpturepark.org

Laumeier Sculpture Park offers wheel throwing and clay classes and workshops for people of all ages. Participants meet in small groups and work at their own pace with guided instruction. Classes range from $112 to $187 and are available in groups based on age. Check Laumeier Sculpture Park’s website for dates and times. 

The Craft Alliance offers 20 different clay and ceramics classes for participants, such as handbuilding, ceramic restoration, and wheel classes. Patrons can learn how to make mugs, jars, bowls, and more through these classes. Dates, times, and more information is available on the Craft Alliance’s website.

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COMEDY/IMPROV

Various Classes  

3960 Chouteau, theimprovshop.com

Local venue The Improv Shop offers classes, workshops, and shows for those looking to bump up their comedy chops. Newbies might enjoy their “Level 0: Entry Level for Beginners” course, while experts can explore a range of topics spanning from “Longform Mechanics” to “Advanced Musical Improv.” Most classes begin late March.  

11124 Pam, compassimprov.org

Compass Improv Festival hosts a variety of classes and events led by improv experts. Sign up for a series, or pop in for a casual improv jam hosted online via Zoom. For more information and dates, visit compassimprov.org .

 Introduction to Comedy

39 S. Old Orchard, cszstlouis.com

ComedySportz invites improv students to class settings where they will workshop theater techniques and learn comedy basics through storytelling. The course will end with a special showcase. Through April 19. Price $225.

CREATIVE WRITING

Sunday Workshops

3301 Washington, stlouispoetrycenter.org  

St. Louis Poetry Center will offer online poetry workshops, encouraging writers to kickstart their submission and critique process. These workshops are offered for free as a service to local poets, and will host various guest critics. Submission guidelines are available on their website.

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Intermediate Drawing

12 Jackson, stlouisartistsguild.org

Take your drawing technique to the next level with this course taught by Phillip Pershbacker, which encourages the development and mastery of still life. This two-month course welcomes any ability levels, and all students will finalize a detailed drawing by the end of the course. March 26-May 14. $170 for members, $220 for non-members.

Drawing 1 and Drawing 2

In Drawing 1, participants will “become acquainted with the use of a variety of drawing tools and surfaces.” Then, Craft Alliance invites students to build on their new skills with Drawing 2, where they’ll branch out into new materials and develop their visual accuracy.  Drawing 1: April 15-May 20, $260. Drawing 2: April 9-May 14, $260.

Perspective Drawing  

321 S. Main, maomgallery.com

Missouri Artists on Main will have their perspective drawing course this spring with instructor Adam Long. Students are encouraged to learn new depth through their art and the world around them in this month-long course. All ability levels are welcome. March 7-28. $75 for returning students, $100 for non-returning.  

Garment Sewing  

630 North Highway,  sewhopestl.com .

Offering a creative sanctuary for sewers, quilters, and crafters alike, Sew Hope Community Sewing Room offers classes and workshops as a space to gather and educate. Beginning April 6, their five-week Garment Sewing Course teaches sewing fundamentals and beginner-friendly projects. Five-week course for $299. 

Quilting for All Levels

6700 Arsenal, citysewingroom.com

Founded in 2016, City Sewing Room came together as a place for people to gather and share in the love of stitching. Now a nonprofit organization, City Sewing Room teaches 20 youths and over 20 adults every week. For $40 every Tuesday and Thursday, City Sewing Room welcomes beginners and advanced quilters to attend their adult class Quilting for All Levels. Participants will be able work on their individual projects with provided fabric and supplies.

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Intro to Garment Sewing Course 

1425 S. New Florissant, sewhopestl.com  

Sew Hope Community Sewing Room, a community for sewers, quilters, and crafters, has been offering classes, workshops, and workstations for creatives of all ages in the St. Louis area. Their Intro to Garment Sewing Course , starting March 11, is open to people ages 14 and up. With a beginner friendly attitude, Sew Hope emphasizes learning sewing fundamentals, garment sewing, and commercial sewing patterns in this class. Four-week course for $299

Weave Your Own Scarf

4651 Shaw, missouribotanicalgarden.org . 

The Missouri Botanical Garden will be offering a course in creating your own scarf using weaving techniques and a blend of natural fibers such as hemp, cotton, or bamboo. The class is offered on two dates, March 23 or April 27, and supplies will be provided. $96 for members, $115 for non-members.

Fashion and Sewing

6880 Washington, cocastl.org  

The Center for Creative Arts offers a variety of teen fashion classes, including their Fashion Forward course for ages 12-18 and Fashion Challenge for ages 14-18. Students in Fashion Forward courses will learn about fashion design through idea boards and hand-sewing techniques, while students in Fashion Challenge will expand upon their sewing knowledge to create a new fashion challenge each day. Fashion Challenge: June 24-28. $280. Fashion Forward: August 12-16. $175.   

FLORALS/GARDENING

Wood Flower Press

4651 Shaw, www.missouribotanicalgarden.org . 

If you love your flowers and wish to preserve them for years to come, the Missouri Botanical Garden encourages you to build a flower press from salvaged wood. This July 25 class will teach students how to assemble a flower press while safely using Japanese hand saws, electric drills, and clamps. The class will end with a recycled flower press that will preserve the flowers long after they’ve been picked. $64 members, $77 non-members.

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Rock Band Classes 

1305 Baur, stlrockschool.com  

Always dreamt of joining a rock band, but never got around to it? STL Rock School offers rock band classes that will have your kid performing live in concert at a local venue like Blueberry Hill, the Old Rock House, and more. Bands are put together by the staff to help each of the students reach their potential with an expert band director at the helm. Prices and schedules vary.

Piano Lessons

45 W. Lockwood, pattersonperformingarts.com  

At Patterson Performing Arts, they ensure that your kids are given the tools and confidence to showcase their musical talents to the world. With their Accelerated Piano Lab, students will have one-on-one lessons for an hour each week, working at the student’s pace and skill level. In order to sign up, students have to schedule a discovery call, choose a time slot and register, and finally, take lessons. They also offer voice lessons with the same procedure. Costs $169 per month, including all materials.

Voice Lessons 

1118 Holly Springs, gabriellestudioofmusic.com  

Gabrielle Studio of Music, a premier private instruction from certified music instructors, offers a unique voice lesson experience for students of all ages and abilities. These private lessons are combined with multiple live performances throughout the year, backed by a professional 5-piece band. To begin the process, Gabrielle Studio of Music asks potential students to send an inquiry through their website. Prices vary.

Various Lessons

3301 Magnolia, themusicroomstl.com  

This music school offers a variety of lessons, including piano, guitar, violin, mandolin, banjo, and ukulele, with premier instructors. With lessons held weekly and opportunities for students to perform in their recitals, all ages are invited to sign up. To contact them for teacher availability or to schedule a lesson to give it a try, they ask you to call their number, 314-282-5126. Tuition varies according to the length of the lesson.

Songwriting Lessons

2200 Gravois, shockcityschool.com

Want to learn how to write the next top hit? Shock City Music School offers private songwriting lessons that review song composition, arrangement, lyrics, notation, and music theory across various genres. You also have the opportunity to learn recording and performance techniques. No prior experience necessary. Prices vary. 

9177 Watson, guitarcenter.com

If you want to take your aux skills to the next level, learn how to control a party crowd through DJ lessons at your local Guitar Center. Following a schedule that accommodates your needs, a private tutor will guide you through mixing and sampling techniques on professional equipment. Costs $99 for four 30 minute sessions, $198 for four 60 minute sessions.

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JEWELRY/BEADWORK

Jewelry Classes

3762 South Broadway, perennialstl.org

Perennial offers personalized jewelry classes where participants can learn to make pieces like soldered pendants, reclaimed wood rings, or copper rings and bracelets. All supplies in these classes are made with recycled materials. Check Perennial’s website for class dates and times.

Metal Jewelry Classes

5080 Delmar Blvd., craftalliance.org

The Craft Alliance offers various metal classes aimed toward jewelry makers at all skill levels, where participants can learn to make items like a cuff bracelet, swivel locket, and a loop-in-loop chain. Check their website for dates, times, and class prices. 

520 N. Main Center, foundryartcentre.org

The Foundry Art Centre offers various engaging jewelry-making classes for kids, teens, and adults. Socialize while strengthening your craft skills through any of the classes listed on Foundry Art Centre’s website. Classes and prices vary per month. 

LEATHERWORKING

Leather Earrings

Workshops at Perennial double as a chance to learn a fun new skill and give back to the environment. The local nonprofit's mission centers around reducing waste by reusing salvaged materials. In this class on March 6, guests will use salvaged leather remnants to create three pairs of fashionable earrings, adding shape, volume, and movement. $ 30 for members, $37 for non-members.

Leather Belt and Wallet Workshops

4904 Tholozan, angsarleather.com

Build your own belt and wallet at one of Ansgar Leather Co.’s seasonal workshops. Spaces are limited. Check their website for future workshop dates and times. $125 per person.

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METALWORKING

5127 Delmar, madestl.com

The MADE makerspace is equipped with state-of-the-art tech for a wide range of creative projects. For those interested in metalworking, the studio offers one-on-one classes including Basics of Metal Forming, Basics of Metal Shop, and Basics of MIG Welding. Courses tend to range from two to three hours.

From the basics of metalsmithing to creating an intricate swivel locket, Craft Alliance is offering plenty of metalworking classes this spring. Those with little to no experience might want to start with Casting 1 and Metalsmithing 1, while a variety of levels are also available for those who are more learned in the craft. 

Blacksmith Spike Knife

Craft Central is a family owned business dedicated to teaching blacksmithing, metalworking, and weaving skills. On March 9 at 8 a.m., create your own custom knife from a solid block of steel. All skill levels welcome, ages 14 and up. $175 + tax per person. 

Welding Training

5835 Manchester, cksupply.com

Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate welder, hone your skills at CK Supply. Welding classes start at $349 per person, but prices vary per class. Check CK Supply’s website for class dates and times.

Oil Painting

Instructor Michael Farris will lead a class designed for aspiring artists interested in academic oil painting. Learn basic art composition and techniques through a new painting assignment each week. February 28–April 3. $140 for members, $180 for non-members.

28 The Blvd St. Louis, paintingwithatwist.com

As the name suggests, Painting With a Twist offers more than just the basics of acrylic. The Brentwood studio plans multiple nightly events curated for couples, family, or friends. Some of February’s motifs include a Valentines-themed gnome painting, family portraits, and a rainy romance scene. Times range from afternoon to evening, and 21+ events include an open bar. 

1201 Macklind, artherapystudios.com

The party comes to you with Artherapy Studios, a group painting service that specializes in cultivating a laid back and fun environment for beginners. The studio can cater to a variety of locations and event types—from birthday parties to team-building in the office. At Paint and Sip classes, bring your own drinks and snacks for a pick-me-up while you complete your canvas.

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PAPER/PRINTING

Paper Luminaries 

Make beautiful paper lanterns to add an ambiance to your home. Join Craft Alliance in this Craft After Hours workshop from 6-9 p.m. for this one day workshop exploring a combination of basic paper making techniques and decorative papermaking techniques including laminating, watermarks, and blowouts. For guests 21 and up. March 15–March 22. $94 for members, $110 for non-members. 

Paper Beads and Bowls 

Make unique wearable art and decor in this sustainable paper rolling class at Perennial.  Divine Adornments founder Korey Calloway will teach a class on paper bowls and beads using reclaimed paper at 6 p.m. on March 13. $39 for members, $49 for non-members.

Screen Printing Class

5110 Penrose,  lawsonsp.com

Over the course of this two-day workshop, participants will be guided through all the ins and outs of silk screen printing. A limited class size of only six students ensures that everyone gets plenty of hands-on experience, and instructors will provide Q&As for any lingering queries. $350 for the two-day course .

Typesetting & Letterpress

2624 N. 14th, centralprint.org

Have a passion for fonts? This course will teach students how to set type by hand, mix ink, and choose the right kind of paper for whatever project they want to execute. Each session takes place for about two and a half hours on Saturday afternoons. April 6–27. $210 for four classes. 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Beginner’s Photography Class

Stlouisphotographygroup.com

St. Louis Photography Group offers immersive two-hour beginner photography courses once a month at various businesses around the city. Open to all skill levels, each class requires you to provide your email through a link on their site and receive further details from there.

Introduction to Film Photography

11806 Borman, photoprostl.com

The Photo Pros are hosting a class on understanding elements of a film camera. In the class, the instructor will review camera basics, how to load film into the device, and proper exposure techniques. The class requires all participants to bring their own  film camera. Join The Photo Pros for this class on March 9 at 10 a.m. Costs $49 per person.  

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Parent Photography Classes

201 Chesterfield Towne Center, emilylucarzphotography.com

Emily Lucarz offers photography classes for parents where they can learn how to capture their children’s moments “beautifully, effectively, and intentionally.” There are two class levels for participants, where patrons are required to own a DSLR camera. 

Watercolor Classes

3526 Washington, Suite 300, davenanderson.com  

Daven Anderson, a former teacher at the College of Fine Art at the University of Missouri St. Louis, offers oil and watercolor classes six times a week. Beginners interested in watercolors are welcomed at Anderson’s studio anytime and do not have to bring materials for the first two weeks. Each student will have their own work table, water container, hair dryer, and more. Classes are generally held from 10 or 11 a.m. to 1 to 2 p.m. Watercolor classes cost $200, equivalent to around 20 hours of instruction  

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bowood Farms (@bowoodfarms)

Watercolor Classes 

4605 Olive, bowoodfarms.com  

Offered by Bowood Garden + Supply, beginners and advanced artists can learn the basics of watercolor painting and brush techniques. Visit the studio's website  for a calendar of upcoming events . 

WOODWORKING

Fundamentals of Woodworking 

1304 West Lark Industrial, awacademy.com

Interested in woodwork, but don’t know where to start? American Woodworking Academy, a locally owned business with 30 years of experience, offers classes for beginners that will have them confident in no time. Fundamentals of Woodworking will teach participants how to make a three-legged shaker table. By the end of the session, you will know how to square wood with a Jointer, Surfacer, and Saw, use a Bandsaw, learn correct clamping techniques, and more. March 5–March 7, eight hours per day. Costs $675, including fees for tuition, laboratory, and materials.

Mini Greenhouse

3726 S. Broadway,  perennialstl.org

Join Perennial, a non-profit organization that prides itself on sustainability by reducing waste and crafting objects from salvaged materials. At their Mini Greenhouse class on April 16 from 6-9:30 p.m., participants will learn basic sawing, drilling, and wood construction techniques from a local gardener. $ 58 for members, $72 for non-members.

Date Night: Wine & Cheese with Woodcraft Staff

2077 Congressional, woodcraft.com

If you’re looking for new date ideas, then Woodcraft of St. Louis has a memorable activity for you. Together, you and your date will make a bottle stopper and a cheese plane with the help of the Woodcraft Staff on March 15 from 6-9 p.m. All they ask you to bring are safety glasses and hearing protection respirator or a dust mask. Beginner friendly, this class will give you memories that will last a lifetime. To sign up, all you have to do is call 314-993-0413. Costs $120 per couple and includes a $20 material fee. 

P.O. BOX 191606 St. Louis, MO 63119 314-918-3000

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Master of fine arts in creative writing.

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Study with a faculty of award winning poets and writers

We read our students' work carefully and provide detailed feedback.

MFA Thesis Becomes Published Book

“The story really goes from a person not knowing who they are culturally, finding out who they are and then doing something with that information,”

MFA Alumna Publishes Second Novel

" . . . When I think back to the decisions I made that were really positive and life altering, absolutely the MFA program was one."

MFA Alumnus Ron Austin publishes book to wide acclaim.

Alumnus Ron Austin’s debut collection of linked stories won the 2017 Nilsen Prize and a 2019 Foreword INDIES GOLD Award, among others.

Watch alumna Rewa Zeinati's Tedx talk

Why words matter.

MFA Alumnus Michael Nye has a new book

Michael Nye’s third book, Until We Have Faces, was published in 2020 by Turner Publishing.

Meet successful writers

Roger Reeves recently talked poetry with UMSL students

The Creative Writing Program at the University of Missouri – St. Louis offers a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in fiction and poetry. Our MFA is a 39 credit-hour program designed as a terminal degree. It allows a select group of student writers an extraordinary opportunity to learn the craft of writing from the inside out. The methods of instruction are simple but effective: writing workshops in fiction and poetry; seminar classes on writing craft; assistant editorial work in conjunction with internationally-renowned literary magazine Boulevard. Students in the UMSL MFA program work closely with our distinguished faculty . In the final semesters of study, each student develops a book-length thesis. UMSL MFA graduates have published books in fiction and poetry, won prestigious awards, and placed poems, stories and essays in hundreds of esteemed literary journals.

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Creative Writing Classes

Looking for creative writing classes in the stl area. Working towards publishing a poetry book & children’s book. I was recommended taking a class helps improve & connect with like-minded individuals. Specificity interested in poetry.

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