Welcome to The Piper Writers Studio
A home for creative writing classes and workshops
At the Piper Writers Studio, we believe in the power of your words. We believe in your artistic momentum and that education can transform dreams into realities. We encourage professional development in all areas of creative writing and literary business. We create opportunities for beginning writers, intermediate writers, seasoned authors, and those who don’t yet know they are writers. We welcome all levels of learners and seek to meet you where you are in your creative journey. We offer our communities high-quality educational experiences in multi-genre learning opportunities through diverse arrays of creative writing and literary business topics, faculty, delivery modes, and access points.
All classes are not-for-credit, and are intended to be open to the public. You do not need to be an ASU student to attend. Writers of all backgrounds, genres, and experience levels are welcome.
Class sizes are kept small – usually between 8 and 16 students – in order to allow for more personalized instructional time with instructors and allow participants space to cultivate strong community connections to one another.
Individual classes range from single afternoons to multiple weeks, are taught by local and visiting instructors, and are offered at various times throughout the year. While individual costs vary depending upon the content and duration of the course, classes are usually between $40-$160, with a number of discounts for various members of the community.
With a listening ear and an open door, we are honored to be a place where artists go to further their skills and build their imaginations. We foster creativity, one writer at a time.
Current Course Offerings
"Novel Boot Camp" with Jenny Benjamin
4 Saturdays
July 1, 8, 22, 29 @ 10 am - 12 pm (Phoenix MST) - VIRTUAL
Cost:
- General $160
- Student $80
About
Do you have an idea for a novel, but you’re not sure where to start? Have you started a novel, but you’re not sure how to finish? This is the course for you. In this class, we will examine the main parts that make up a strong narrative: characterization, setting, plot, and dialogue. We will examine excerpts from novels to discuss and use for springboards into our own writing. The instructor will also provide warm-up writing prompts that you could tailor to fit your own narratives or use as writing exercises. She will also help guide you in how to outline (or not outline) your novel and come up with other strategies that help you accomplish your writing goals.
NOTE: Now you can apply to receive CEU credits for classes you take through Piper Writers Studio (PWS), meaning you can study with PWS and gain professional development credit.
Here is a description from ASU’s Office of Continuing & Professional Education about CEUs and how they work.
Jenny Benjamin is the owner of her freelance writing and editing business JB Communications, LLC. Over thirty of her poems have appeared in journals, including DIAGRAM, South Carolina Review, Fulcrum, Baltimore Review, Chelsea, and the Crab Orchard Review. Her first novel, This Most Amazing, was published in 2013 by Armida Books in Nicosia, Cyprus. Her poetry chapbook, More Than a Box of Crayons, was published by Finishing Line Press in February 2018. Her poetry chapbook, Midway, won second place in the 2017 No Chair Press contest and was published in April 2018. Enhanced and Corrupted, the first two books of her young adult, science fiction trilogy was published by Ananke Press (October 2021, July 2022). Redeemed: Book Three of the Terrian Trilogy is forthcoming in fall of 2022. Her novel Heather Finch was published by Running Wild Press (June 2022). She lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her three children and dog.
Teach with Piper
Educating and inspiring our writing community
Interested in teaching a class or workshop? The Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing is now accepting proposals for creative writing classes and workshops through the Piper Writers Studio.
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 the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, you can apply for a Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference fellowship. For more information about course proposals, you can view past classes or contact Educational Program Coordinator, Joy Young, at joyyoung@asu.edu.
Piper Writers Studio FAQ
What is the Piper Writers Studio?
The Piper Writers Studio offers classes, workshops, mentorships, and other educational opportunities for creative writers of all backgrounds, genres, and skill levels to help writers advance their skills, achieve their goals, and grow as creative writers and human beings.
What kinds of classes and workshops do you offer?
Every class is different. While some focus on generating new work, others focus on workshop, planning, or revision. We also cover numerous topics and genres including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, memoir, young adult, science fiction, mystery, flash, social justice, translation, and more. To learn more about what kinds of classes and workshops we offer, you can view our current classes or view our past classes.
Who teaches your classes and workshops?
Our classes and workshops are taught by recognized authors, writers, professors, editors, agents, and other professionals within the creative writing community. To learn more about our faculty, you can view our current classes or view our past classes.
Where are classes and workshops?
In person classes and workshops usually take place at the Piper Writers House (450 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281) on Arizona State University’s Tempe Campus. For more information about getting to the Piper Writers House, visit our “About” page at http://piper.asu.edu/about and click on the tab “Getting Here.”
If a class or workshop does not take place at the Piper Writers House, more information will be made available on our website and disseminated via email to registrants. Please note that for virtual events we operate in Phoenix MST. As Phoenix does not observe daylight savings time, determining the correct time outside of Arizona can be somewhat confusing. To check the current time in Phoenix, Arizona, you can check the world time clock. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Coordinator for Educational Programs by email at joyyoung@asu.edu.
Where should I park?
We recommend parking in the Fulton Center Parking Structure off University Blvd (just east of College Ave on the North Side of University). The Fulton Center is the closest lot to the Center and less than five minutes away. Parking is $3/hr or $15 all day. For more information about parking, visit our “About” page at http://piper.asu.edu/about and click on the tab “Getting Here.”
How much are classes and workshops?
Every class is different. Costs range anywhere from $39-$300 depending on course offerings and time. For more information, you can view our current classes or contact the Coordinator for Educational Programs, Joy Young, at joyyoung@asu.edu.
When do classes and workshops take place?
Classes and workshops are offered throughout the year, usually on weekday evenings or weekend mornings and afternoons. For more information, you can view our current classes or contact the Coordinator for Educational Programs, Joy Young, at joyyoung@asu.edu.
When are classes and workshops announced?
Classes and workshops are generally announced two to three months in advance of each season—July for Fall, November for Spring, and March for Summer. To receive updates, you can like us on Facebook, sign up for our mailing list, or check back on our website at http://piper.asu.edu/classes.
How do I register?
All registrations take place online through our website. To register for a class, view the list of current classes at http://piper.asu.edu/classes, find the class you like, and click on the button “Register Here.” You should receive a confirmation email once registration is complete. If you have any questions about registering, contact the Coordinator for Educational Programs, Joy Young, at joyyoung@asu.edu.
When does registration close?
Registration closures vary. A course may close approximately one week before the class is scheduled to begin, but may also stay open until the day the course begins. For more information, you can view our current classes or contact the Coordinator for Educational Programs, Joy Young, at joyyoung@asu.edu.
Do you offer any discounts?
The Piper Center currently offers two discounts: one for students and one for ASU affiliates. While discounts vary depending on the class, students typically receive between 20 and 25% off; ASU affiliates typically receive around 10%. Please note discounts cannot be combined.
To claim the student discount, select “Student Registration” in the registration form and enter your student ID number or other information where prompted and appropriate. Please note that students do not need to be students of Arizona State University to receive the discount, and are eligible so long as they are currently enrolled in classes at a high school, community college, university, or other educational institution.
To claim the ASU discount please contact the Coordinator for Educational Programs, Joy Young, at joyyoung@asu.edu. Please note that any student, faculty, or staff member of Arizona State University is eligible to receive the ASU Affiliate discount as well as alumni and alumnae.
Do you offer refunds?
Refunds can be provided up to 24 hours before a class or workshop is scheduled to begin (minus a $25 fee). For more information, view our current classes or contact the Coordinator for Educational Programs, Joy Young, at joyyoung@asu.edu.
Do I need to have taken other creative writing classes or be a writer to take classes and workshops?
No. As long as you’re interested in creative writing and willing to learn, individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels are welcome to attend. Classes intended for writers with more experience will be indicated on our website. If you have any questions about a particular class, please feel free to view our current classes or contact the Coordinator for Educational Programs, Joy Young, at joyyoung@asu.edu.
Do I need to be an ASU student to take classes and workshops?
No. Classes and workshops are intended for all members of the community. That being said, ASU students are welcome at classes, too.
Can I receive ASU credit?
No. All Piper Writers Studio courses are noncredit, professional development courses where no college credit is offered. For for-credit creative writing classes, visit ASU’s Creative Writing Program in the Department of English at http://english.clas.asu.edu.
Can I receive Professional Development / Continuing Educational credit?
Yes. All Piper Writers Studio courses are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEU’s). Please contact the Education Programs Coordinator for more information about CEU’s.
Can I teach a class?
You can apply to teach with Piper. To apply to teach a class, you will need to submit a course proposal. To learn more about course proposals, visit the "Teach with us" tab at https://piper.asu.edu/classes or contact Educational Program Coordinator, Joy Young, at joyyoung@asu.edu.