full-length workshops

fiction • narrative non-fiction • poetry • screen & playwriting • the writing life • publishing & promotion

yearly schedule

Grub Street offers 4 terms of workshops, seminars, readings, and events each year, one in each season. The schedule is posted on this website one month before each term, following the cycle below. To register call 617.695.0075. All registration is first-come, first-served—we do not accept reservations.

• Fall Term: September-December
• Schedule posted in August

• Winter Term: January-March
• Schedule posted in December

• Spring Term: April-June
• Schedule posted in March

• Summer Term: June- August
• Schedule posted in May

For all workshops and seminars, you need only bring paper and a pen on the first day of class unless otherwise noted. Your instructor will contact you if there's anything else you should bring!

workshop levels

level I

The perfect class for beginners with no writing experience or for those who aren't familiar with the workshop process. Level I workshops cover all the essentials, providing students with the community and feedback that are so critical to a successful workshop experience. Each session is packed with short lectures on craft, analysis of published work, and skill-based writing exercises. Your work will be shared with your fellow students, and you will receive written and verbal feedback from them and from your instructor.

level II

For those who have taken a level I class or an equivalent workshop. Since each workshop is a unique experience, we encourage students to take level II workshops more than once as they develop projects.

Our level II workshops provide a supportive environment in which to focus intensively on developing your writing. You will have ample opportunity to share your work and to get the feedback you need to grow as a writer. The instructor will provide students with detailed critiques of their work, as well as comments, suggestions, and writing exercises (as needed) in direct response to the work presented by the group.

mixed-level

These classes introduce newer writers to the basics of the genre while giving more experienced writers the feedback they need to hone their skills and develop their voice. The small class size ensures that everyone has enough individual attention to stay challenged. Some of these classes, i.e. "Jumpstart Your Writing," are geared twoard beginners, but still offer experienced writers new perspectives, deadlines and thoughtful readers.

master classes

Our master workshops are designed to push your writing deeper and break you out of your comfort zone. You will polish works-in-progress as you develop and refine your own unique style and voice. Either a literary agent or an editor from a print or online journal will visit once each course to discuss the submission process and will read one polished submission from each student after the class ends. The master class is by submission only. Please review the submission guidelines for each individual course before signing up.

core classes

You can count on certain Grub Street classes to be offered every term, or almost every term. They're listed below!

offered every term

Fiction I

Fiction II

Ten Weeks, Ten Stories – Level II

Novel In Progress

Narrative Non-Fiction I

Six Weeks, Six Essays (I or II, alternating terms)

Ten Weeks, Ten Poems

Screenwriting (I or II, alternating terms)

Jumpstart Your Writing

Reading Like A Writer and/or a Reading Salon

offered every other term

Master Fiction

Narrative Non-Fiction II

Master Narrative Non-Fiction

Advanced Screenwriting

Advanced Poetry

Your Entire Book

Memoir In Progress

offered when available:

Continuing Classes (i.e. Continuing Novel In Progress)

Monsters and Mayhem (or other sci-fi/fantasy option)

Young Adult Writing

How To Write a Lot

Tour of the Essay

Structure of Short Fiction

Graphic Novel

Playwriting

Humor Writing

The Smart Page-Turner (or equivalent “genre” class)

Not sure what class is right for you? If you still have questions after reading this page, please give us a call at 617.695.0075 or email info@grubstreet.org, and we'll help you decide.