Writing Classes
I regularly teach multi-week courses in nonfiction, with a focus on memoir and the essay, at GrubStreet.
Some courses I've recently taught are Developing Your Personal Essay, Advanced Memoir Workshop and Advanced Revision and Submission Strategies. Generally running 8-12 weeks, these courses are designed to sharpen and deepen writers' narratives and their sense of the genre's possibilities through careful reading of published work, craft discussions, generative exercises and honest but supportive group workshops.
Occasionally I teach single-day seminars on more specific themes and craft topics like Writing Flash Essays, Writing the Provocative or The Politics of Food.
Additionally, I teach memoir and personal essay courses through Pioneer Valley Writers’ Workshop and offer an asynchronous virtual course independently through Wet Ink.
The intrepid writers of Memoir in Progress, Spring 2016 (background), celebrating our final class with baked goods (foreground).
Photo credit: Shellie Rapson James
Upcoming Classes
Advanced Memoir Workshop, 10 Thursdays starting January 23rd, 6-9pm via Zoom, GrubStreet (application deadline January 6th)
Memoir in Progress, 10 Tuesdays starting February 4th, 10:30am-1:30pm via Zoom, GrubStreet
Student Feedback
“It was an excellent experience. I was a teacher of teachers and have observed many classrooms. Dorian Fox is one of the best instructors I’ve encountered over my career.” - Judith Davidson, Developing Your Personal Essay, GrubStreet, Spring 2024
“Dorian was an inspirational, highly approachable teacher, and so respectful of our work.” - Liam Carnahan, Memoir in Progress, GrubStreet, Spring 2024
“Loved Dorian, loved my classmates, loved the structure and content of this class.” - Sharon Schindel, Advanced Revision and Submission Strategies, GrubStreet, Summer 2023
"Dorian is an excellent instructor, who provides insightful and detailed feedback. He offers thought-provoking questions that stimulate class discussion and create an engaging classroom environment." - Jinna Halperin, Arlington, MA
"Excellent readings, very useful education in the craft, supportive but also critical feedback. I also felt nurtured and motivated by the email message each week reminding us of the assignment. And Dorian's full page critique of each essay was impressive and very useful. He really cares." - Student from "Going Deep," Arlington Community Ed.
A pensive moment while discussing personal essays at Arlington High. I promise I'm not always so serious.
Photo credit: Suzanne Carter