Writing Classes
We’re proud to offer writing workshops and masterclasses with authors for students in northern Michigan and beyond. Classes for K-12 students are offered free of charge. Below, view our upcoming classes with information about the dates, content, and age group.
Registration Open
The Only Rule of Making Zines: There are No Rules!
Making Zines!
Class Instructor:
Tess Tarchak-Hiss
Class Date:
Saturday, Aug. 1
Class Time:
12-3 P.M.
Class Size:
6-8 students
Age Group:
7th-12th graders.
Location:
202 E Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City, MI 49684
Registration Full
Once Upon a Boat: A sailing-and-storytelling adventure!
Sailing and storytelling for middle schoolers.
Class Instructor:
Chris Loud
Class Date:
June 27, June 30, July 2
Class Time:
10 A.M. - 12 P.M.
Class Size:
6
Age Group:
5th-8th Graders
Location:
Wind Sailing, Discovery Pier 13271 SW Bayshore Dr, and National Writers Series, 202 E. Grandview Parkway
Registration Open
Script to Screen: Building Stories That Move
Screenwriting for middle schoolers.
Class Instructor:
Chris Loud
Class Date:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
Class Time:
10:30 A.M. - 12 P.M.
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
5th-8th Graders
Location:
National Writers Series, 202 E. Grandview Parkway
Registration Full
Make It Strange: Writing the Surreal and Satirical
Surrealism and satire for 5th-8th graders.
Class Instructor:
'Cole Birkett
Class Date:
Online: Wednesdays, August 5, 12, 19, and 26
Class Time:
12:00 to 12:45 P.M.
Class Size:
6-12 students
Age Group:
4th-7th Graders
Location:
Online via Zoom; link to be provided the week before the class.
Registration Open
The Dogman of Michigan: Adventures in Folklore!
Folklore for 4th-7th graders.
Class Instructor:
'Cole Birkett
Class Date:
Online: Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21, and 28
Class Time:
12:00 to 12:45 P.M.
Class Size:
6-12 students
Age Group:
4th-7th Graders
Location:
Online via Zoom; link to be provided the week before the class.
Registration Open
Outside Voices: Writing Inspired by Nature
What if your next great story started outside?
Class Instructor:
Chris Loud
Class Date:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, August 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
Class Time:
4 P.M. - 5 P.M.
Class Size:
10-12 students
Age Group:
7th-12th Graders
Location:
Aug 11th-25th at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, 2846 N Three Mile Rd, with final session at The National Writers Series classroom at 202 E. Grandview Parkway
Registration Open
The College Essay: Tell Your Story
College application essays for high school juniors and seniors.
Class Instructor:
Mandy Keskes
Class Date:
Aug. 11th
Class Time:
10 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. with one-on-one essay reviews to be scheduled during class.
Class Size:
10-12 students
Age Group:
High School; Grades 11-12
Location:
Online via Zoom; link to be provided the week before the class.
Registration Open
Summer ’26: Yes, you CAN write a novel!
Novel writing for ages 16+.
Class Instructor:
Mandy Keskes
Class Date:
Tuesdays, June 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th
Class Time:
7-8:30 P.M. ET
Class Size:
8-10 students
Age Group:
16+
Location:
Online via Zoom; link to be provided the week before the class.
Registration Open
Revise Your Way to a Final Draft
Revision for writers 16+
Class Instructor:
Mandy Keskes
Class Date:
Sunday, Aug. 2
Class Time:
2-5 P.M.
Class Size:
10-12 students
Age Group:
16+
Location:
202 E Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City, MI 49684
Registration Open
The College Essay: Tell Your Story
College application essays for high school juniors and seniors.
Class Instructor:
Mandy Keskes
Class Date:
Online: Tuesday, May 5th
Class Time:
7-9 P.M. ET via Zoom, with one-on-one essay reviews to be scheduled during class.
Class Size:
10-12 students
Age Group:
High School; Grades 11-12
Location:
Online via Zoom; link to be provided the week before the class.
Registration Open
The National Writers Series Youth Board
The National Writers Series Youth Board
Class Instructor:
Audrey Irontree
Class Date:
Monthly meetings, others as-needed
Class Time:
TBD based on Youth Board members' schedules
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
7th-12th Graders
Location:
Registration Open
Back to the Beginning: Circle Stories Session 1
Class Instructor:
Kelly Almer
Class Date:
Online: Mondays, Feb 17 – March 17
Class Time:
4:00 p.m.- 5:15 p.m. ET
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
3rd-5th grades
Location:
ONLINE: Zoom link to be provided the week before the class.
Registration Open
Publish me in Manistee!
Class Instructor:
'Cole Birkett
Class Date:
Thursdays, April 10 - May 15
Class Time:
4-5:30 PM
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
Grades 7-12
Location:
Hybrid, the first and last class are in person at the Ramsdell Theatre, with the remaining classes online via Zoom.
Registration Full
Antrim Raising Writers: Poems in the Wild
Class Instructor:
David Hornibrook
Class Date:
Saturdays, March 22 and 29
Class Time:
10am-1pm via Zoom
Class Size:
10-12
Age Group:
High School; Grades 7-12
Location:
Zoom, link to be sent the week before the class.
Registration Open
Fiction Inspired by Myth, Legend, and History
Class Instructor:
Ashlee Cowles
Class Date:
Tuesdays, Feb. 11 - March 18
Class Time:
4:00-5:30
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
7th-12th grades
Location:
HYBRID: Classes via Zoom with the last class at the Dennos Museum's Janice Room to celebrate student work.
Registration Full
Back to the Beginning: Circle Stories Session 2
Class Instructor:
Kelly Almer
Class Date:
Online: Tuesdays, Feb 18 – March 18
Class Time:
4:00 p.m.- 5:15 p.m. ET
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
3rd-5th grades
Location:
ONLINE: Zoom link to be provided the week before the class.
Registration Full
Goldilocks Framed Me! Fractured Fairy Tales
Class Instructor:
Kelly Almer
Class Date:
Online: Thursdays, January 16 – March 13
Class Time:
4:00 p.m.- 5:15 p.m. ET
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
6th-8th grades
Location:
ONLINE: Zoom link to be provided the week before the class.
Registration Full
Color the World with Feelings: Sensory Poems
Class Instructor:
Kelly Almer
Class Date:
Online: Tuesdays, January 14 – February 11
Class Time:
4:00 p.m.- 5:15 p.m. ET
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
3rd-5th grades
Location:
ONLINE: Zoom link to be provided the week before the class.
Registration Open
Writing Fantastic Stories
Fantasy and Magic Realism for High School Students
Class Instructor:
Kevin Fitton
Class Date:
Online: Tuesdays, October 15 – December 3
Class Time:
8 - 9:30 p.m.
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
High School Students
Location:
ONLINE: Zoom link to be provided the week before the class.
Registration Open
Manistee Middle School Poetry Club
Class Instructor:
Nicole Bernadette Birkett
Class Date:
Thursdays, info session on 9/19, class on 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31 and 11/7
Class Time:
4:00-5:30
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
6-8th graders
Location:
Manistee Middle/ High School
Registration Open
Sketch Comedy Writing Using Improv for High Schoolers
Class Instructor:
Nicole Hastings McKendrick with Dave Thomas and Lisa Thauvette
Class Date:
Wednesdays, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30.
Class Time:
3:45-5:15pm
Class Size:
8-14
Age Group:
9-12th graders
Location:
Dennos Museum Center’s Janis Community Room
Registration Full
Writers Create II
Class Instructor:
Kelly Almer
Class Date:
Tuesdays, 9/17, 9/24, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19
Class Time:
4-5:30 PM
Class Size:
10
Age Group:
Grades 4-6
Location:
Online
Registration Full
Life Snippets and Snatches: Memoir Moments
Class Instructor:
Kelly Almer
Class Date:
Thursdays, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21
Class Time:
4-5:30 PM
Class Size:
10
Age Group:
Grades 4-6
Location:
Online
Registration Open
Journalism Fall 2024
Class Instructor:
Noelle Riley
Class Date:
Tuesdays: 10/15, 10/22, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17
Class Time:
4:30-5:45
Class Size:
6-8
Age Group:
6-8th Grade
Location:
Hybrid, first three and final class at Cordia, with remaining classes Online via Zoom (which will be sent the week of class)
Registration Open
College Essay Writing Section 2 Fall 2024
Class Instructor:
Audrey Fierberg
Class Date:
Thursday, 10/17
Class Time:
4:30-6
Class Size:
15
Age Group:
High School Juniors and Seniors
Location:
Online via Zoom (which will be sent the week of class)
Registration Full
Antrim Raising Writers Language Lab
Class Instructor:
David Hornibrook
Class Date:
Thursdays, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17
Class Time:
Class on 9/12 and 10/17 are in person from 5-7PM; remaining classes are held via Zoom from 5:30-7:30 PM
Class Size:
10-12
Age Group:
Middle School; Grades 5-8
Location:
Elk Rapids Library and Online via Zoom