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ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS
Some say good writing can’t be taught. We think that’s rubbish. Instruction alone won’t make you a great writer, but it will take you a good long way in that direction. At the heart of our mission is a firm commitment to instruction that encourages students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to become more thoughtful, prolific, and proficient as they explore their passion for the written word. For both emerging and established writers, we offer workshops and courses unfettered by the academic constraints of credit hours, grading, and university tuition. We offer no easy answers or cheap tricks. Rather, we aim to delve deep into the mysteries of language, discovery and expression with teaching that is both student-centered and well-structured around meaningful outcomes. We also believe that good teaching, like good writing, develops through a life-long process of learning that includes evaluating our work, sharing ideas, and stretching ourselves – sometimes beyond our comfort zones.
Course offerings and scheduling:
In each of our terms – fall and spring – we offer a variety of instructional options. Registration for our fall term begins in August; the term starts in September and ends in November. Registration for spring term begins in January; the term starts in February and ends in April.
Our course offerings fit (more or less; we like to stay flexible) into one of three categories: Elements courses that are generally 6 to 8 hours long; genre-based workshops that typically run 12 to 15 hours; and special topics that are normally covered in a single session of 2 or 3 hours. Evening and weekend scheduling is a top priority, and our students tend to prefer classes that last less than six weeks. In Anchorage, we’re likely to schedule two of each type (Elements, workshop, and special topics) per term, leaving room to add an impromptu course or two with visiting writers if opportunities arise.
Elements courses include cross-genre topics like character, voice, narrative structure, point of view, description, beginnings, revision, and narrative time. Workshops are by genre, alternating between fundamentals workshops for emerging writers (Fundamentals of Fiction, for example) and workshops exploring advanced techniques (such as Advanced Poetry Techniques). In workshops, students draft and revise within their genres. While we hope all of our courses are feisty and fun, our special topics courses are intended to be especially so, with an exploratory bent. We strive to balance our course offerings each term with regard to length, type, and genre.
Retreats: Our 49 Writers retreats include an instructional component. Watch for announcements of upcoming retreats at 49writers.blogspot.com or email us at to get on our mailing list if you’re not receiving our newsletters.
Special course offerings: We occasionally supplement our regular instructional schedule with clinics by visiting writers. If you’d like notice of these events and you’re not already on our mailing list, email us at . We like to partner with groups bringing authors to Alaska; please contact us () if you’re aware of a partnering opportunity. Courses taught by special arrangement with visiting writers do not go through our regular proposal selection process.
Fees: Typical course fees for members average $14 per instructional hour; fees for non-members are slightly higher. Particular course fees may vary; see our course schedule for specifics. Fees for non-members are higher. Annual 49 Writer memberships are $60.
Registration: Register online or by calling 907-388-9303. Some courses fill quickly, so we recommend registering as soon as possible. All registrations on a first-come, first-served basis; we do not “hold” slots.
Payment in full is required at the time of registration. You may pay by Visa/Mastercard (secure web payment or phone), check (49 Writers, PO Box 221086, Anchorage, AK 99522), or PayPal (access via ). Upon receipt of payment, we’ll email a receipt that will serve as your payment confirmation.
In rare cases, workshop dates, times, and locations are subject to change due to the professional commitments of our instructors. We reserve the right to remove any student from a workshop at the instructor's discretion.
Cancellations and Refunds: If low enrollment forces course cancellation, students will receive a full refund. If an instructor is forced to cancel all or part of a course, students will receive a refund based on the portion of the course that was not taught.
Students who find themselves unable to attend a course for which they have paid may either find another student to fill their place (payment, if any, should be arranged between students) OR request a tuition credit (valid for one year) to be applied toward the cost of a future offering. Requests for tuition credits must be made at least 24 hours BEFORE the first course session. In either event (substitution of students or tuition credit requests), contact us at ; instructors are not able to process substitutions or tuition credits.
Referrals and Gifts: We offer tuition gift certificates; visit our "Get Involved / Buy" tab for links.
Proposing a course: We appreciate input from students on courses they’d like us to teach: . Proposals from instructors should be submitted on our Course Proposal Form. Instructors wanting to teach in the fall need to submit their course proposals by June 1. Instructors wanting to teach in the spring need to submit their course proposals by November 1. Occasionally we offer summer courses; those proposals are due by March 1.
Facility: Our shared facility at 645 W. 3rd Ave. in Anchorage is a historic cottage. If you have ADA 504 needs, please let us know so that we can schedule your course in an alternate location.
