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Original Image Credit: Radio room of the New York Times

True Story: Using Journalism Basics to Report Memoir with Amy Silverman

Date(s): Saturday, April 6, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Piper Writers House, 450 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281
Type(s): Generative Workshop, Workshop
Genre and Form(s): Creative Nonfiction, Journalism, Memoir
Cost: $99 Regular, $79 Student

Registration Closed

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About the Class

In this True Story workshop, participants will learn and apply basic journalism skills to their creative non-fiction, particularly memoir. Students will begin by brainstorming ideas for their own true stories. The class will be interactive, as students share ideas and get feedback from the instructor and classmates. Through exercises and workshopping, participants will hone interviewing skills, moving on to writing dialogue. The class will then cover how to access very basic public records (lawsuits, police records), search media reports, and come up with other sourcing ideas based on participants’ questions. Finally, we will spend a few minutes setting personal writing goals and discussing publication options.

Meet Your Instructor

Photograph of Amy Silverman


Amy Silverman

Amy Silverman is an award-winning writer, editor and teacher. Her work’s appeared on This American Life and in The New York Times, Washington Post, Lenny Letter, Motherwell, and Brain, Child. Amy worked for 25 years as a staff writer and editor at Phoenix New Times. Silverman's first book, My Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love and Down Syndrome, was published by Woodbine House in 2016. She's the co-curator of the live reading series Bar Flies at Valley Bar in downtown Phoenix, and a commentator for KJZZ.

Learn more about Amy Silverman

About the Piper Writers Studio

The Piper Writers Studio is committed to supporting writers in every stage of their development by providing challenging, diverse, and accessible educational opportunities. All classes are not-for-credit, and are intended for an 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. Discounts for students, senior citizens, individuals experiencing economic challenges, and other groups are available for every class. To learn more about the Piper Writer Studio, visit our website at http://piper.asu.edu/classes/about.