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.
Spring workshops open!
Four Wednesdays | March 18, 26, & April 2 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm via Zoom
Poetry of Grief and Healing
Virtual with Jodie Hollander
For centuries, creating art, and writing poetry in particular, has served as a form of healing for hurt, pain, and grief. In this workshop, we'll discuss examples of celebrated poems that tackle these difficult topics and study effective techniques for channeling our pain into poetry. Then, through a series of writing prompts, we'll delve into our own experiences and turn them into powerful, effective poems. This workshop is for anyone who is interested in the incredible transformative power of poetry to heal our wounds.
In this class, you'll receive:
- Discover strategies for enhancing your poetry sonically
- Learn new poetic techniques
- Complete poem drafts and receive instructor and peer feedback on your work
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 with Liverpool University Press and Oxford University Press. Her second collection, Nocturne, was also published with Liverpool and Oxford University Press in 2023 and was 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 U.S. She currently lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Three Wednesdays | April 2, 9, and 15, 2025 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm via Zoom
The Only Way Out is Through: The Science and Art of Writing the Traumatic
Virtual with Tamara MC
In this trauma-informed workshop, writers will explore methods for writing about traumatic experiences while maintaining emotional safety and developing stronger narrative techniques. Drawing from leading trauma experts and contemporary memoirists, we'll examine how trauma affects memory, narrative structure, and emotional processing through the lens of both psychology and literature. We'll study Bessel van der Kolk's groundbreaking research alongside powerful memoirs like Tara Westover's "Educated," Carmen Maria Machado's "In the Dream House," and Cheryl Strayed's "Wild" to understand how writers successfully navigate challenging personal material. Through guided exercises, craft discussion, and attention to emotional safety, participants will develop tools for establishing boundaries in their writing practice and shaping their experiences into compelling narratives.
Writers will leave with practical strategies for continuing their writing practice, enhanced understanding of trauma's impact on storytelling, and techniques for managing challenging material while maintaining their wellbeing. This workshop creates a supportive environment for writers at any stage of processing their experiences through words. This course is designed for nonfiction writers who want to explore personal narrative through a trauma-informed lens. Whether you're working on a memoir, personal essays, or simply exploring your experiences through writing, you'll gain concrete tools for approaching challenging material with confidence.
In this class, you'll receive:
- Create a self-care writing ritual guide for managing difficult material
- Build a personal emotional boundaries toolkit
- Draft a writing safety strategies plan
Dr. Tamara MC combines her expertise in Applied Linguistics with her lived experience as a child bride, cult survivor, and human trafficking survivor to advocate for girls and women worldwide. Her work exploring trauma, identity, and survival has appeared in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Newsweek, Salon, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. She attended Columbia University's MFA program and has been honored with fellowships at prestigious writing programs including Bread Loaf, Iowa Writers' Workshop, Sewanee, Ragdale, Cave Canem, and VONA. Her memoir, CHILD BRIDE, chronicles her experience of being married at age twelve within an American Sufi cult.
Four Tuesdays | April 29, May 6, 13, 20 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
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. Workshop participants will learn the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing and the advantages of each. You'll explore what's behind your desire to write, refine your story idea, and learn about the importance of a story arc. You'll become conversant in the basics of outlining your story and the importance of keeping a writing deadline. You'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 traditional publisher, or whether to self-publish your book instead!
In this class, you'll receive:
- A better understanding of the elements of a writing practice
- Basic techniques to start writing and keep writing
- Insight into the different types of publishing available to you today as an author
Robrt Pela is a Pulliam Prize-winning journalist who for 30 years was a theater critic at New Times, the Phoenix city weekly. He's been a staff writer at The Advocate, Psychology Today, and Men's Fitness, and is a longtime regular contributor to the National Public Radio affiliate, KJZZ. These days he writes for Phoenix Magazine. His last book was Filthy, a biography of the film director John Waters; he's working on another, about America's broken elder-care system. He teaches a writing workshop called You Ought to Write a Book and owns an editing business called Red Pen LLC, where he works on book projects with first-time authors. Robrt and his husband divide their time among homes in Arizona, Ohio, and Provence.
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.