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Center for Creative Writing

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Classes

Conquering the Short Story with Malik Toms

Date(s): Tuesdays, October 1 - 15, 2019, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Piper Writers House, 450 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281
Type(s): Generative Workshop, Lecture, Workshop
Genre and Form(s): Fiction, Short Stories
Cost: $149 Regular, $109 Student

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About the Class

Your story is almost done. It just needs... something? The spaces between idea, draft, and done can be dark corners filled with uncertainty. Is the character's story worthy? How do you finish it without turning it into an 8,000-page omnibus? How do you know if it is good enough? These are the questions we all have from the first keystroke. This class will push you toward the answers. We will go beyond the basics of short story structure and climb towards how to separate your work from the editor’s slush pile by uncovering the secrets to your character's growth and help them to conquer their challenges.

Meet Your Instructor


Malik Toms

Malik Toms was born and raised in Harlem, New York, and is a 20+ year veteran of the pen and keyboard. He did his undergraduate work in Sociology at Iowa State University, working as a drug rehabilitation counselor before returning to college to pursue a graduate degree in Creative Writing. He published his first short story at the age 18 after two years of "No thanks." Since then he has worked as a freelance author, which is a bit like being a freelance mercenary minus all the bullets and moral ambiguity.

Learn more about Malik Toms

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.