Writing Classes in Madison

Welcome! We offer writing workshops in-person and online, conferences, retreats, and critiques. Descriptions of upcoming writing programs follow. Please scroll down. For more information contact Christine DeSmet at 608-262-3447 or cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu.

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Winter/Sping 2012 classes currently available

Winter 2012 catalog class descriptions

A Weekend with your Novel: Craft and Concept (workshop day, Nov. 12, 2012, critique groups Nov. 11-13, 2012).
From Notebook to New Work: a Journaling Workshop (Wednesdays Mar 28-Apr 11, 2012).
Novel critique group with Angela Rydell (Section 2: Sat April 21-May26, 2012).
NEW Rock and roll journalism(Wed, May 2-16, 2012). Visit the catalog online for descriptions and details.
Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Retreat (M-F June 18-22, 2012).
Writers’ Institute (April 12-15, 2012).

Summer 2012 classes

A Weekend with your Novel: Craft and Concept (workshop day, Nov. 12, 2012, critique groups Nov. 11-13, 2012).
NEW Rock and roll journalism(Wed, May 2-16, 2012). Visit the catalog online for descriptions and details.
Write-by-the-Lake Writer’s Retreat (M-F June 18-22, 2012).
Writers’ Institute (April 12-15, 2012).

Online writing

You can sign up for online writing classes or email workshops anytime and there are no deadlines! Do we get results? Yes. For example, new screenwriters have become optioned or done well in contests after taking "Screenwriting: Write Your First Draft Fast."

Titles include:

Also of interest

Did you know? That you get first dibs on discounts, agent meetings at conferences, and more if you subscribe to The Writing News, our FREE email service that comes to you about four times a year?

Critique services: Agents and editors tell you all the time: Get your material critiqued first before sending it out. We help all types of writers hone their skills or find solutions to roadblocks on the way to publication, successful freelancing or writing for pure enjoyment. We coach and critique freelance and genre writers, including screenwriters, novelists, and writers of poetry, short stories and feature articles. More information.

On-site training: Bring our writing coaches, teachers and workshops to your community, meeting or conference. Can't get to Madison? We tailor our writing workshops to meet your needs, time and budget. Contact Christine DeSmet, cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu, phone: 608-262-3447 for details.

Independent learning: Study writing at home. For an Independent Learning catalog, phone 262-2011. To ask about the writing courses call Christine DeSmet at 608-262-3447.

Gift Certificates:

Give a wonderful gift to a writer or aspiring writer.
Show the writer in your life that you share their dream.
Surprise them on their birthday, at a holiday, or any day of the week.

We can provide a gift certificate for any of our programs, including our annual conference, the June retreat, our fall novel weekend, or our online classes—perfect for those far from Madison or attracted to the option of working at home, at their own pace, and registering at a moment's notice.

Explore our website for the choices. You'll find top-notch, award-winning writing instructors and programs for all budgets and types of writers, beginning and advanced, and in the fields of fiction (including screenwriting) and nonfiction writing, freelancing, and poetry. If you need advice on appropriate programs for the skill level of the gift recipient, we can help you make the right selection. Contact us anytime.

To find out more details or to order a gift certificate, contact Christine DeSmet, UW-Madison Continuing Studies, 21 N Park St., 7th Floor, Madison, WI 53715; 608 262-3447; e-mail cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu