In this experimental, generative course, we’ll focus on developing a writing process that centers on presence, listening, and writing in response to others. Rather than traditional readings, each student will bring one piece to read aloud each class—a poem, an essay, a story, or a chapter from a favorite book. After reading the piece, the student will ask everyone a question, and then we’ll take time to write in response. Prompts can be literal: inviting others to take lines from the piece and write their own version of a poem or story. It can be reflective: what does this piece say to us? There are no limits. Each two-hour session will be roughly half reading aloud/listening, and half writing. For the workshop, each student will read a piece aloud. Instead of a traditional critique, the other students will write their own creative pieces in response to the student and will share those pieces with the presenter. Each writer will leave with a little collection of works written in response to their own pieces. For this course, you will need: great works you wish to share, a journal to write in, and a willingness to speak your words aloud in a supportive environment. All genres and levels are welcome.

Instructor: Diana Fenves

Dates: Begins Wednesday, May 13, 2026 and runs every Wednesday for six weeks

Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Level: Beginner and above

Location: Online

Cost:

$615: true price

$349: base price

$374, $399, $449: donate an extra $25, $50, or $100 to our scholarship fund

(Returning students receive 10 percent off).

A note on pricing:  the “true price” reflects the true cost of the class, which includes paying a fair wage to our staff and instructors, rental fees for the Redbud headquarters and for the community spaces where we host our classes, website and administrative/commerce fees, outreach and advertising to spread the word about our offerings, and the coordination and administration for our community classes, which serve people who could not otherwise access creative writing. We’re not a university or a large corporation and that means we don’t have an operating budget we can rely on; we’re proud to be a small, local, women- and minority-run business that is passionate about bringing the transformative power of the arts to our community. Your tuition helps Redbud with the critical work of keeping the arts accessible to the public. 

We also offer students a chance to donate to our scholarship fund. At check-out, you will be given the option of choosing a donor price. If you choose one of these prices, the extra $25, $50, or $100 will go towards scholarships for students who would not be able to afford our classes otherwise.  Thank you in advance for considering making a contribution to inclusivity and access!

Read the fine print, including our refund policy, here.