Class

Diversifying Writers: Writing & Publishing for Neurodivergent Artists

For Neurodivergent-or-curious writers, beginning to advanced, come together to build community and support in a highly participant-responsive course led by a Neurodivergent instructor. Diagnosis not required.

This course is part writer-support-group and part generative writing course. It does not require advance preparation. Participating writers may find this course particularly useful while being enrolled concurrently in a conventional workshop offering. We will not directly workshop each other's writing, but there will be time for students to share their project details with each other if they seek advice.

Over four weeks, participants will share and discuss the challenges, strategies, and joys unique to the ND writing community. We'll explore, accept, and sometimes reject workshop feedback cliches that operate on assumed knowledge (what does “more likable” even mean for our protagonists, and why is it super coded?). Students will learn to identify what makes a writing practice ND-inclusive by creating scaffolding—for their own artistic communities and writing lives—that allow us to work with, not against, our own brains.

Participants can also expect to thoroughly discuss publishing norms—what’s expected in networking and non-networking settings, the unspoken rules of queries, cover letters, and grant writing, and the unique challenges ND writers may face during the publishing process.

Course content includes structured craft instruction, as well as open discussion, and feedback to participant-led topics.

These classes cover the issues and traditions of writers of color and Indigenous writers; LGBTQIA+ writers; writers with disabilities; and other writers from marginalized backgrounds. This space is intended for marginalized writers to work on their craft in a space that centers them and their work. We ask all participants to be cognizant of that core value. Anti-discrimination and US human rights laws prevent the exclusion of anyone based on their identity. If you are not a writer with a marginalized background, please be mindful of the space and energy you take up in a class intended to uplift traditionally marginalized and silenced communities. Anyone being disruptive may be asked to leave.

These classes are offered on a pay what you can basis. At checkout, students may select the "pay what you can" option and enter any amount, including $0.

Please submit this request form at least two to three weeks in advance if you have any accessibility requests for this class. This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies.