Mastering Editing & Revision: A Writing Workshop
WHEN: Friday, April 22, 6-8 pm
Saturday, April 23rd, 9:30 am- 3:30 pm
Sunday, April 24th, 9:30 am- 3:30 pm
+ Participants can book a free 30-minute individual editing session during specific slots, Thursday-Saturday
WHERE: The Iowa Writers' House, 332 E Davenport St
FEE: $265
REGISTER FOR WORKSHOP
Additional Events:
Wed, April 20, 7:00 PM: Hear Mary read from her latest book at Prairie Lights
COURSE DECRIPTION
Every writer knows, there is writing and then there is revising. The editing and revision phase requires putting on a separate hat than the one you wore for the first draft. Often the difference between a good piece and a great piece lies in the writer's ability to both to ruthlessly reduce and delicately refine their work. This workshop is designed to help writers develop and hone their editor's eye through review of their own work and participating in peer critique through the traditional 'workshop' method.
Taught by renowned editor and teacher, Mary Rakow, professional editor and peer critique leader. Participants are encouraged to come with a 5-10 page work sample as a starting point for review and revision. All levels of writers are encouraged--Rakow's professionalism creates a safe and supportive space for all. Workshop participants are also given a FREE editing session with Mary outside of class to meet individually and receive feedback.
“Bring what you have to this writing workshop: the opening line of a story, a novel excerpt, an idea. Find what you are trying to make. Get started. Go deeper into what you have. See more clearly the finishing touches you must now do. Take a step toward more powerful, truthful and beautiful work.”
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Mary Rakow, Ph.D., comes to fiction from theology. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School and Boston College, she is the recipient of a Lannan Foundation Literary Fellowship. Her newly released novel, This is Why I Came, (December, 2015) is heralded as a “Blakean tour de force” and has received critical praise in The Atlantic, Boston Globe, Washington Post, O Magazine and Ploughshares (blog). The Memory Room, her first novel was shortlisted for the Stanford University Libraries Saroyan Prize and other honors. Her commissioned non-fiction work, Martinez Celaya, Working Methods, is the first comprehensive study of the astonishing Cuban-born visual artist.
On Working with Mary:
“Mary Rakow is a brilliant writer and an exquisite reader of others’ work. I’ve counted her among my first and most trusted readers for nearly twenty years. Her invaluable comments are always as generous and humane as they are clear-sighted and exacting. She’s wonderful.”
“Mary Rakow is a breathtaking writer and passionate teacher.”
Recent reviews of Rakow's latest book, This Is Why I Came
- Oprah.com “16 Books to Start 2016 Right”
- Ploughshares (blog)
- Atlantic Magazine, "A Sinner Reimagines the Bible," Jan/Feb 2016 issue
- The Washington Post, "This is Why I Came Asks Us to Reimagine Biblical Tales"
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
WHEN: Friday, April 22, 6-8 pm
Saturday, April 23rd, 9:30 am- 3:30 pm
Sunday, April 24th, 9:30 am- 3:30 pm
+ Participants can book a free 30-minute individual editing session during specific slots, Thursday-Saturday
WHERE: The Iowa Writers' House, 332 E Davenport St
FEE: $265
REGISTER FOR WORKSHOP
Everyone has a story to tell. If you are financially unable to attend this workshop, scholarships are available through our generous partners and donors.
APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP
Helping another person attend a workshop is helping them achieve their dreams. Thank you for making our world a better place.