Advanced Fiction: Writing the Short Story

Harvard Summer School

CREA S-100R

Section 1

CRN 35901

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This is an intensive workshop in the craft of writing short fiction. It is for writers who love to read short stories and want to make their own short stories come alive on the page. Students should arrive having read widely among past and contemporary practitioners of the short story form. We build on that foundation through close reading and discussion of exceptional short stories. We also consider practicalities, such as how to organize a collection in progress, how to submit stories to literary journals, and how to stay connected to your vision. Much of our time together is spent in workshop. Students carefully read and thoughtfully respond to one another's writing and we work together to determine how best to filter and synthesize the feedback offered in a workshop setting. The skills honed via peer feedback are crucial in editing one's own work, and students conclude the term having written and revised two new short stories (10 to 20 pages each).

Instructor Info

Thomas Wisniewski, PhD

Associate of the Department of Comparative Literature, Harvard University


Meeting Info

MW 3:15pm - 6:15pm (6/23 - 8/8)

Participation Option: Online Synchronous

Deadlines

Last day to register: June 17, 2025

Prerequisites

A beginning- or intermediate-level fiction writing course or permission of the instructor. Students should bring a 10-page sample of their work to the first class.

Notes

This course meets via web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time. Not open to Secondary School Program students.

All Sections of this Course

CRN Section # Participation Option(s) Instructor Section Status Meets Term Dates
24317 1 Online Synchronous Elizabeth Staudt Open T 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Jan 27 to May 17
35901 1 Online Synchronous Thomas Wisniewski Open MW 3:15pm - 6:15pm
Jun 23 to Aug 8
35579 2 Online Synchronous Lindsay Mitchell Open MW 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Jun 23 to Aug 8
26780 2 Online Synchronous Lindsay Mitchell Open Sa 11:00am - 1:00pm
Jan 27 to May 17
26944 3 Online Synchronous Lindsay Mitchell Open M 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Jan 27 to May 17