Advanced Fiction with Sara Lippmann

“The short story apologizes for nothing.” — Steven Millhauser

This month-long online intensive will focus unapologetically on the grace, precision, and tremendous risk of the short story. Over the four classes, we will explore various ways to excavate emotional honesty through fiction. In that “grain of sand,” Millhauser writes of the short story, “right there, in the palm of its hand — lies the universe. It seeks to know that grain of sand the way a lover seeks to know the face of the beloved. It looks for the moment when the grain of sand reveals its true nature.” Selected readings and craft discussions will center on unearthing the distinctive heart of the matter.

Each student will receive thoughtful, intuitive feedback (on a story up to 25 pages) in a supportive setting and come away energized, with fresh ideas on revision. For all the compression required of the short story, we often need to get messy before we get tight. Students will be encouraged to push their work toward deeper discovery, embracing the process of revision until, as Peter Ho Davies says, “you understand why you told your story in the first place, what your intent actually was.”

Enrollment is limited to 12 students.

Students are chosen by Sara Lippmann on the basis of a manuscript submission. Applications must be received by Thursday, October 10 at 5 pm. View the submission guidelines and submit an application for this class.

Scholarship assistance is available. Applications must be returned to Scholarship Services at least two weeks before the first session.

This course will take place online.