Autobiography and Fiction with Electric Literature | Literary Arts

Overview

This program is for writers working in autobiography, fiction, and auto-fiction. With the support of guest faculty, participants will explore the distinctions and intersecting themes between genres, such as when to be beholden to the truth and when to break free from it, writing fiction vs. memoir (and how to decide which is which), and teasing satisfying narrative threads from real life. 

Through these themes and questions, guest faculty will help writers develop their own unique voice and approach to writing autobiography, memoir, and fiction.

What does the program offer?

Over two weeks, writers will have time and space to work on their individual manuscripts. Editors Halimah Marcus and Jess Zimmerman, from Electric Literature will be available for editorial consultations and will lead a group seminar on strategies for getting published. 

Guest faculty Meredith Talusan and Susan Choi will lead group and individual discussions around the program’s themes and approaches relevant to the process of writing narrative fiction, auto-fiction, memoir, autobiography, and other related subgenres. 

The program will feature a guest speaker event featuring award-winning Canadian writer Dionne Brand, as well as two reading nights featuring writers reading from their works in progress alongside guest faculty.

Who should apply? 

We welcome all writers (emerging and established) writing auto-fiction, autobiography, and memoir, from all backgrounds, and all gender identities and expressions.

What's Included

• Single Room
• Regular Meal Plan
• Showcase Your Work
• Gym Membership
• Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
• Box Office Discounts
• Participant Resources

Fees & Financial Assistance

Program fee (single room)* $2 218.22 +GST
Program fee with financial assistance (single room)* $1 109.11 +GST

Application fee: $35. The application fee for this program has been reduced through our partnership with Electric Literature.

*Financial Aid of up to 50% of the program fee is available for this program.