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.

4 Tuesdays | Mar 26, April 2, 9 & 16, 2024 @ 5:30 - 7:30 pm at Piper Writers House

"You Ought to Write a Book!"

In-person with Robrt Pela

You Ought to Write a Book is aimed at the first-time author who has a story to tell but doesn’t know where to begin, and the working writer who needs help with next steps toward publishing. Workshop participants will learn the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing and the advantages of each. They’ll explore what’s behind their desire to write, refine their story idea, and learn about the importance of a story arc. They’ll become conversant in the basics of outlining their story and the importance of keeping a writing deadline. They’ll also learn writing tricks, like how to bust through “writer’s block,” as well as the importance of writers’ groups and early readers.  Participants will also learn how to sell their book once it’s done: How to write a book proposal; how to shop for a literary agent or a traditional publisher, or whether to self-publish their book instead.

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Saturday | April 13 @ 2024, 9:30 - 11:00 am at Piper Writers House

"Surrealist Starter Kit: Writing New Poems Based on Surrealist Play"

In-person with Kelli Russell Agodon

In this class, we will swan-dive into the strange through techniques and games used by surrealist writers and artists. The poems we will write will have less to do with “making sense” and more to do with the mystery and mindfulness of our subconscious and dreams. Here we will allow our imaginations to run wild. We will discover unexpected ways to create new work and explore new and imagined worlds.  

Participants will leave with new drafts of poems where we celebrate the fantastic, the otherworldly, and the strange. All levels of poets welcome. Lobster telephone not required.

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Saturday | April 13, 2024 @ 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at Piper Writers House

"Recklessness and Resolution: Joyfully Driving the Stalled Poem Forward"

In-person with Sati Mookherjee

A generative workshop about moving forward “stuck” poems by taking radical approaches to the work. We will transform our poetic vision and practice by reframing the universal experience of being stuck as the ecstasy of ‘not knowing.’ Beginning and experienced poets alike will examine and articulate our individual, unique strategies, and inherent abilities to unlock (if not blow the doors off) the cages that trap our poems. Please bring one typed ‘stalled’ poem (a piece in progress, or a finished poem that you are not satisfied with).   

Participants will leave with a new draft or drafts and innovative strategies for revision they can apply to future works.  

Sign up

Thursday | April 18, 2024 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at Piper Writers House

"A Transmission of the Hands: Two Master Poets on Strategies for Generating New Work "

In-person with Arthur Sze and Wang Jiaxin

How do form and imitation work to help us open our imaginations? Arthur Sze and Wang Jiaxin will demonstrate how poets use simple tools such as repetition to create a spell, to create a pattern of rhythmic insistence and even to develop new poetic forms. They will also look at the various ways in which renovating, adapting, and rewriting the work of other poets can open new poetic doors. Sample works considered will include Robert Hass, George Trakl, and Issa. Participants will be given a choice of prompts to respond to and after a writing period will share and discuss the works produced.  

Participants will leave with fresh approaches to crafting a poem and at least one new form (“The Cascade”) to experiment with on their own. 

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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

Pitch Your Course

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.

Invest in our work 

FAQ

How much do classes cost?

While the cost of each class is determined on a case-by-case basis (depending on length, content, nature, etc), costs range from $50 to $250.

Do you offer any discounts for classes?

Various discounts are available and you can learn more here.

Do I have to be an ASU student to take these workshops?

Absolutely not. While ASU students and staff are welcome, many of participants are from the community. There are no pre-requisites for taking most Piper Writers Studio workshops, except in the case the 6-week Master Classes, which may have certain enrollment requirements depending on the course.

Can I get ASU credit for taking these workshops?

No. These writing workshops are non-academic, meaning they are not given for college credit. For credit writing classes are taught through the ASU Department of English. 

Can I get Professional Development/Continuing Education credit?

Yes, you can. 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. For more information on ASU’s CEU process, click here.

Where do the classes meet?

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.

How long do the classes meet?

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. 

When is new information available on the website?

We generally post class descriptions two months before they begin. If you would like to receive notices when new workshops are scheduled, please fill subscribe to our Mailing List.

What if my plans change?

We can provide a full refund of your Piper Writers Studio tuition, minus a $50 handling fee, any time up to 72 hours before the first class meeting. Please email email the coordinator for educational programs, Joy Young at joyyoung@asu.edu with the subject line "PWS Refund".

How do I register for a Piper Writers Studio class?

The entire registration process can be completed online; please follow the links to enroll in your course of choice. A confirmation will be emailed to you once your registration is complete.