FAQ

CLASSES

What experience do I need to take your classes?

For some classes, such as Short Story Mechanics (SSM), no experience is required. It’s possible to take Contemporary Dark Fiction (CDF) with little experience. You will write and turn in four stories over the course of the class. The progression leads from SSM to CDF to Advanced Creative Writing Workshop (ACWW), to the Novel Workshop 365 class. Keep it Brief (KIB) is a niche flash fiction class. Day of Reckoning (DOR) is open to all authors. Guest authors will teach a range of classes.

How long do your classes last?

There are a range of offerings—from one day (DOR), to two weeks (SSM & KIB), to sixteen weeks (CDF & ACWW), to a year (Novel Workshop 365). Classes taught by guest authors vary in length.

Do you teach literary fiction or genre fiction?

We teach both. While the focus is most likely going to be on speculative fiction, literary fiction is also important to our development as authors. So we’re open to fantasy, science fiction, horror, the entire mystery umbrella (mysteries, thrillers, noir, neo-noir, crime, etc.), magical realism, transgressive, Southern gothic, and literary fiction, to name a few genres and sub-genres.

How long are the writing assignments?

They vary. Assignments for SSM are a few hundred words, due every two days. Same for KIB. For CDF, stories are limited to 4,000 words each (1 a month for 4 months), with weekly assignments, typically a few hundred words each. ACWW requires 4 stories with a maximum length of 5,000 words. The novel workshop asks for 11,000 a month, for six months. DOR is capped at 4,000 words per story. Guest classes will vary.

How heavy is the workload?

You should be prepared to commit to the class you are taking and put in time daily, for the most part. SSM and KIB assignments are due every other day. CDF is probably the heaviest workload with weekly columns to read, weekly stories to read, weekly assignments to write, stories due once a month, a novel read over the course of one month, and a short paper due on the novel. ACWW requires you to read four stories a week—two from the “best of the year” anthologies, and two from your peers (which require feedback—in document, on Skype, and on Facebook). DOR you turn in your stories and then spend the day online. Novel Workshop 365 requires 11,000 words a month AND your feedback on your peers’ (up to 77,000 words a month) so there is significant time spent reading, critiquing, AND writing. We also have monthly Skype calls, with each author getting 20 minutes. Guest classes will vary.

So I’ll have to read other people’s work?

In SSM,  KIB, and DOR—no. In CDF, ACWW, and NW365—yes. And for those classes, you provide feedback. See guest author classes for more information.

How is work critiqued in your classes?

Richard will provide detailed feedback, editing, and criticism on everything that is assigned, in a timely manner. He provides developmental editing (big picture) as well as line editing for stories (grammar and formatting) and novels. For peer evaluation, you are required to read and respond to the best of your ability. So that means talk about what works, what doesn’t work (and why) as well as whatever you feel you have authority to discuss (everything from genre conventions, to places you’ve lived, to similar experiences you’ve had). It’s important to point out the negatives and well as the positives, in a timely manner, and with respect. (See our online resource Providing Feedback as well as my Storyville column on How to Survive a Creative Writing Workshop.) For ACWW we will discuss your story for 30 minutes, include additional commentary in the private, secret Facebook group, and encourage conversations and feedback via email. The author WILL get a few minutes at the end of the call to ask questions. It’s a fairly traditional workshop method, similar to the Iowa Writers Workshop, but more contemporary in that we allow the authors to interact and ask questions.

Who are your teachers?

They are all authors, who are publishing widely, in the top publications. Many have been nominated for (and won) major awards. Some teach professionally and have MFAs and PhDs, others teach from experience—as librarians, writers, editors, publishers, and other related professions. They are carefully curated and selected by Richard.

How do I know what each author is teaching?

Each author and teacher profile will be linked to their classes—whether it’s a segment of DOR, or their own dedicated class.

What’s the difference between SSM, CDF, and ACWW? And is there a logical progression?

Yes, you should (ideally) take SSM, CDF, and ACWW in that order. SSM is the most basic, and it covers the essential mechanics of writing a story (which can be applied to flash, short fiction, novellas, and novels). CDF focuses on 16 different aspects of storytelling, going much deeper into the process. Where SSM helps you juggle seven balls at the same time, CDF adds another 16. ACWW is mostly focused on critical analysis and workshopping, as you might find in an MFA program. So that class assumes you already know the basics and are writing at a high level. Critical analysis of the “best” stories being published and recognized will help you identify greatness, and also problems, with both your classmates’ stories and your own. You must be able to write, study your own work, diagnose what’s wrong, and then fix it. Those are four related skills, but each have their own challenges.

What do I need to take these classes online?

A good computer, solid internet access, a Facebook account, and a Skype account. Most stories are also written and edited in Microsoft Word. LitReactor.com classes don’t require social media or a fast computer, nor do the At Your Own Pace classes.

FINANCING

How much do your classes cost?

They range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. Cost is related to the length of class and the depth (and quantity) of work required by our instructors. The At Your Own Pace classes are less expensive, and can be done whenever you have free time.

Is there a deposit?

At LitReactor.com, no. Most other classes ask for a 10% non-refundable deposit. DOR does not. Guest classes may vary.

Do you have payment plans?

At LitReactor.com, no. Most other classes DO have payment plan options. It’s one of the things we do that most other studios and universities do not offer. DOR does not. Guest classes will vary.

Are there any discounts?

At LitReactor.com, only if you’re a member there. But for Storyville classes, yes. All past students get 10% off any future classes. There is a discount code. Email Richard if you do not have it. You can also get an additional 10% off for paying in full at the time of your registration. DOR costs are fixed, no discounts. See guest classes for details.

I heard there is a referral program?

Yes, see our financial section on the website, but you can earn cash or class credit for referring anyone—including friends, family, and peers. They just need to let us know when they sign up that you referred them.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards via Stripe, as well as Paypal.

How do you determine your prices?

We calculated our rates based on various studios, colleges, universities, MFA programs, and other online workshops. We do our best to keep our classes high-quality AND affordable, as we believe expert writing instruction should be widely available. We seldom raise prices, and our rates are highly competitive with comparable programs.

REGISTRATION

What if I need to withdraw from a class?

We need 30 days for most classes, and 90 days for the novel workshop. There is a 10% non-refundable deposit on all classes. Once classes start there is no refund.

May I change classes?

With enough notice, yes, we will do our best to accommodate scheduling changes, where possible.

Can I receive college credit for your classes?

No. But that doesn’t mean these classes won’t help your writing career. We’ve seen authors (especially those that follow the SSM >> CDF >> ACWW progression) do quite well—publish stories, get into top publications, land agents, get into top MFA programs, make it into “best of the year” anthologies, and get nominated for major awards.

Do you offer a certificate or diploma?

We do not. Let’s save a tree. I can personally say you are doing great, so keep after it, my friend.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Class dates and times may be subject to change (especially around the holidays).

• Auditing and the recording of classes are not allowed.

• For all classes, students receive a record of payment and registration.

• Storyville reserves the right to remove any student at our discretion.

• Storyville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, or marital status. Hate speech will not be tolerated.

• Classes WILL read stories that have sex, violence, and other topics that may upset more sensitive authors. Trigger warnings will be posted when possible, as needed.