Classes and workshops for the community
Wherever you are, we're here to meet you
The Piper Writers Studio (PWS) offers creative writing classes, workshops, and other educational opportunities for writers of all backgrounds, genres, and levels of experience.
Our classes are intended for and open to the public. You do not need to be an ASU student to attend. Class sizes are kept small—usually between 8 and 16 students—in order to maximize the amount of instruction and to develop closer relationships between students, faculty, and the class as a whole. Individual classes range from single afternoons to multiple weeks. Classes are taught by local and visiting faculty and are offered at various times throughout the year. While individual costs vary depending upon the content and duration of the course, classes usually cost between $39-$250, with a number of discounts available for various sectors of the community.
Two Tuesdays | September 10 and 17, 2024 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm via Zoom
Narrative Poetry
Virtual with Jodie Hollander
Humans have long been attracted to the art of storytelling. One could say that our lives are composed of a series of different stories that we tell ourselves and/or one another. In this workshop, we'll look at this narrative art and how to effectively channel our experiences into powerful poetry. We'll study and discuss techniques for sound and crafting quality poetry. Then, through a series of writing prompts, we'll examine our own narratives and turn them into poems. This workshop will also consider tempo, pacing, and effective use of line breaks. No experience necessary!
- Learn new poetic terminology and techniques to improve your writing
- Create narrative poetry through generative exercises
- Receive peer and instructor feedback on poem drafts
Jodie Hollander's work has appeared in journals such as The Poetry Review, Poetry Magazine, The Yale Review, The Harvard Review, Poetry, PN Review, The Kenyon Review, Poetry London, The Hudson Review, The Dark Horse, The New Criterion, The Rialto, Verse Daily, The Best Australian Poems of 2011, and The Best Australian Poems of 2015. Her debut full-length collection, My Dark Horses, was published by Liverpool University and Oxford University Press. Her second collection, Nocturne, was published with Liverpool & Oxford University Press in 2023, and longlisted for the Laurel Prize in nature writing. Hollander is the recipient of a MacDowell fellowship and a Fulbright fellowship in South Africa. She is also the originator of Poetry in the Parks in conjunction with several National Parks and Monuments in the United States. She currently lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Two Saturdays | October 5 and 12 @ 9:30 - 11:30 am via Zoom
Found Footage: Writing Short Horror Stories in Borrowed Forms
Virtual with Lindsay King-Miller
Can you make a text message conversation terrifying? How about a grocery list? In this generative workshop, students will read, discuss, and write a variety of epistolary or "found footage" horror stories - that is, stories in borrowed forms. We will focus on very short fiction, mostly micro and flash length (under 1000 words), exploring techniques for creating tension in very few words. No experience necessary.
Walk away with:
- At least two new flash/micro fiction story drafts
- A deeper understanding of how to write compelling, (very) short fiction
- Techniques to discover horror fiction ideas in new and unexpected places
Lindsay King-Miller is the author of ASK A QUEER CHICK: A GUIDE TO SEX, LOVE, AND LIFE FOR GIRLS WHO DIG GIRLS (Plume, 2016) and THE Z WORD (Quirk, 2024). Her second novel, THIS IS MY BODY, is forthcoming from Quirk Books in fall 2025. She lives in Denver, CO, with her partner and two children.
Four Tuesdays | October 8, 15, 22, & 29 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm via Zoom
Punch It Up: Writing Snappy, but Sincere, Satire
Virtual with Andrea Avery
In this workshop, we'll explore (and join) the rich tradition of writing satire as a gesture, not only of criticism, but of optimism! Through humor, keen observation, and nuanced storytelling, we will create satirical pieces (fiction or essay) that depict the world we want. In each meeting we'll closely analyze examples of the genre, and then we'll get to writing. Trying out techniques such as exaggeration, juxtaposition, irony, incongruity, and reversal, we'll determine how we can deploy them to speak truth to power, comment on social issues, illuminate the absurd (and the sublime) aspects of human nature, and maybe even change hearts and minds! By the end of the workshop, you'll leave with multiple short pieces of writing, affirming workshop feedback on a longer draft in progress*, a crowd-sourced list of recommendations for further reading or exploration, and ideas for places to share your satire once it's polished.
*If you so choose to offer a piece for workshop— you'll never be compelled to share against your will!
Walk away with:
- Multiple completed short satirical technique sketches (e.g., character sketch, setting sketch, dialogue-driven scene)
- Peer and instructor feedback on a story manuscript
- A crowd-sourced list of suggestions for further reading and getting your work published
Andrea Avery is the author of Sonata: A Memoir of Pain and the Piano (Pegasus Books). Her short work has appeared in Ploughshares, Barrelhouse, CRAFT Literary, The Oxford American, Real Simple, and Erase the Patriarchy: An Anthology of Erasure Poetry (University of Hell Press) among other places. Her novella Visiting Composer will be published in 2025 as the winner of the Miami University Press Novella Contest. She holds a BA in music, an MFA in Creative Writing, and an Ed.D, all from Arizona State University.
Four Wednesdays | November 6, 13, 20, & 27 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm via Zoom
Short Prose That Packs a Punch!
Virtual with Lara Ehrlich
Short can be deep. Quick can cut to the quick. Short stories can shatter your heart. In this workshop, we'll break down examples of short stories that pack a punch, investigate what makes them powerful, and apply those elements to our own craft. We'll participate in generative writing exercises, offer peer critiques, and refine our work with the goal of leaving the workshop with a finished short story. Additionally, we'll dedicate time to discussing strategies for submitting manuscripts to journals and magazines. By the end of the workshop, you'll have a personalized list of potential outlets for your story!
Walk away with:
- A completed, peer and instructor reviewed short story
- Discover ideas and drafts for future stories
- Learn how to get your completed work published
Lara Ehrlich is the author of the novel Bind Me Together Still (Red Hen Press, 2025) and Animal Wife, a collection of stories about women's transformations from girls into wives, mothers, and monsters. Animal Wife won Red Hen Press' Fiction Award, judged by Ann Hood, and was published by the press in 2020. Lara is the host of Writer Mother Monster, a conversation series devoted to dismantling the myth of "having it all" and offering writer-moms solidarity, support, and advice. She is the founder and director of Thought Fox Writers Den, which builds community and supports writers of all levels with in-person and virtual workshops, coaching, events, and more. www.laraehrlich.com.
Learn more about the Piper Writers Studio
About the Studio
At the Piper Writers Studio, we believe in the power of your words. We believe in your artistic momentum and in how education can transform dreams into realities. We encourage professional development in all areas of creative writing and literary professions for beginning writers to intermediate writers to seasoned authors to those who don’t know they are writers yet. PWS welcomes all levels of learners and seeks to meet you where you are at on your creative journey. We offer high-quality educational experiences and multi-genre learning opportunities in a diverse array of creative writing genres as well as multiple classes on the business of writing. Our faculty are all published writers and skilled teachers of writing.
We provide a listening ear and an open door and are honored to be the place where artists go to further their skills and build their imaginations. We strive to foster authentic creativity and craft, one writer at a time.
Discounts
As part of our continuing efforts to increase access to creative writing education across diverse communities, the Piper Center offers a number of discounts for students, veterans, ASU affiliates, and senior citizens, as well as individuals experiencing economic challenges.
Generally speaking, discounts are between 10% and 15% off each class, and are claimed by entering an ID number or contacting the Piper Center at pipercenter.info@asu.edu to receive a discount code.
Please note: Discounts are not available for every class. Only one discount code can be used for each class. However, there is no limit to the number of classes for which the discount can be used. The Piper Center reserves the right to ask for further verification of all discounts upon request.
Accessibility
Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing is committed to ensuring that all individuals have fair and equal access to Piper Center events and programs.
All venues are accessible to individuals with mobility challenges, hearing loss, or other forms of disability.
ASL interpreting services, printed versions of presentations, large print handouts, translations, and alternative forms of materials for classes, workshops, or other programs are available with two to three weeks advance notice (upon request).
To request materials or contact the Center with any other accessibility questions or concerns, call the Center directly at 480.965.6018 or send us an email at pipercenter.info@asu.edu.
Teach with us
Teach with Piper
Educating and inspiring our writing community
Interested in teaching a class or workshop? Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing is now accepting proposals for creative writing classes and workshops through the Piper Writers Studio (PWS).
Before you begin your application, be sure to have the following ready (as you won't be able to save and return to your application):
- A brief bio (200 words or less)
- Proposed course title
- Proposed course description (200 words or less)
We will NOT ask you for a CV, writers resume, or list of your publications. Instead we will ask you to provide a short personal statement letting us know why you think you're a good fit to teach with us including what your involvement may currently be in our literary community.
We recognize that filling out an application like this can feel intimidating, especially if you're new to processes like this. To help, we will offer some advice along the way. You can also check out our FAQs or our PWS Instructor Informational Guide.
For other opportunities with Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, you can apply for a Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference Teaching Fellowship. For more information about course proposals, you can view past classes or contact coodinator for educational programs, shawki31@asu.edu
Contact
Can't find an answer to your question? Email us!
Can't find an answer to your question? Email our coordinator for educational programs, shawki31@asu.edu or send a general query to pipercenter.info@asu.edu.
Invest in us
With your support, Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing is able to host free educational opportunities. Give writers from Arizona and the Southwest access to classes and workshops from expert faculty. Help writers of all levels receive the knowledge, training and assistance necessary for their personal, professional and artistic development. Your gifts also ensure excellent free and fair-cost literary programming across our diverse communities. Become an essential part of our community story with your gift to Piper today.
FAQ
The entire registration process can be completed online by following the links above. You will receive a confirmation email once you are registered for the workshop. Registration closes for all workshops at the start of the first session.
Workshops range from $50 to $250.
ASU Students, OLLI Members, and Mirabella residents are eligible for registration discounts of anywhere from 25% to 50% off. Keep an eye out for coupon codes in our monthly newsletter as well. Subscribe here.
All PWS workshops are open to the public!
ASU credit is not awarded for PWS workshops. For-credit writing classes are taught through the ASU Department of English.
Yes, you can. For every 10 instructional hours, you can receive 1 CEU credit. CEU credits require a $30 registration fee in addition to PWS registration costs. Once you’ve signed up for a course, please fill out the CEU Professional Development Form. When you have completed the course, you will receive a certificate via snail-mail confirming your credit hours.
Workshops meet at the Piper Writers House at ASU, local bookstores, and virtually through Zoom.
Class lengths vary. Many of our evening classes meet for 1-2 hours a week. Saturday classes tend to meet between 3-5 hours, allowing participants to explore a topic in depth. Four-week classes are scheduled for two hours each week, on a single night. One-day courses meet for five hours on a Saturday and explore a topic in depth.
Workshops are updated before each new semester. If you would like to receive notices when new workshops are scheduled, please subscribe to our newsletter.
The Piper Center offers registration fee refunds up to 72 hours before the workshop date. A $5 processing fee will be deducted from the refund. We cannot offer refunds within the 72-hour window before the workshop date. Please email Sasha Hawkins, the Piper Center’s Education Coordinator, at shawki31@asu.edu for more information.