Writing, Research & Literature
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NEW! “Memoir Writing for Seniors” by Donna Urbikas
With the firm belief that everyone has at least one good book in them, award-winning author and teacher Donna Urbikas leads an introductory-level workshop on how to start writing from reflection, gathering the gems of wisdom from life, and presenting such in a good memoir. Based on the author’s award-winning memoir, My Sister’s Mother: A Memoir of War, Exile, and Stalin’s Siberia, Urbikas addresses issues of how to pick relevant anecdotal stories and expand them into meaningful content, deal with sensitive revelations involving others, handle meaningful revisions, using the differences between memoir and autobiography, and more. Writing prompts and exercises will be offered along with a limited review of student works. Includes handouts, Q&A. (Older teens and adults; 60 min; $300)
References
Jim Dalbec, Ela Township Community Center, (847) 438-9160, jimd@elatownship.org; Joan Waxman, Northshore Senior Center, (847) 784-6002, jwaxman@nssc.org
Website
Contact
donna@danutaurbikas.com, (312) 343-5454
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NEW! “Family Stories: Past, Present, and Future” by Jeanne and Kea Roppolo
Stories from your ancestral lineage open a richer, fuller understanding of who you are as a family. Learn how to uncover these forgotten stories while learning to write your own legacy. Join Grandma Jeanne and granddaughter Kea, a certified genealogist, as you begin your special journey in this mini workshop. (All ages; 60 min; $400 with permission to sell books)
References
Sarah Adelphia, Arlington Heights Senior Center, (847) 253-5532 x305, sadelphia@vah.com; Dina Sweet, DeKalb CUSD 428, (815) 757-8536, dina.sweet@d428.org
Website
Contact
(808) 987-4473, jeanneroppolo@yahoo.com
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NEW! “Writing a Nonfiction Book Proposal that Shines” by Jennifer Grant
In this dynamic session, award-winning author Jennifer Grant guides participants through the essential elements of a strong nonfiction book proposal. Attendees learn how to write effective query letters, select compelling comparison titles, and grab – and keep – their readers’ attention. Participants leave with actionable tools, increased confidence, and a clear roadmap for pitching their books successfully. Includes handouts, Q&A. (Adults; 60 min; $300 virtual, $350 in-person with permission to sell books plus travel reimbursement beyond 50 miles)
References
Brian Allain, Writing for Your Life, brian.allain@gmail.com; Chris Wells, The Secret City, writinglifeworkshop@gmail.com
Website
Contact
jen@jennifergrant.com, (630) 660-2268
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NEW! “So, You Wanna Write a Picture Book?” by Jennifer Grant
What makes a picture book sparkle? What are the “rules” of writing one? Author Jennifer Grant, whose children’s books including Maybe God Is Like That Too and Finding Calm in Nature have earned multiple honors, invites participants into the joyful art of writing picture books. With humor and heart, she covers the essentials of this category of children’s literature. Includes handouts, Q&A. (Adults; 60 min; $300 virtual, $350 in-person with permission to sell books plus travel reimbursement beyond 50 miles)
References
Brian Allain, Writing for Your Life, brian.allain@gmail.com; Chris Wells, The Secret City, writinglifeworkshop@gmail.com
Website
Contact
jen@jennifergrant.com, (630) 660-2268
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NEW! “Improvising Your Novel” by Kevin Loughrin
Whether you’re a seasoned “pantser,” a “planner” looking to add a skill to your toolbox, fighting the dreaded “writer’s block,” or writing a novel for the first time, iO-trained improviser and novelist Kevin Loughrin can help you improve your storytelling, deepen your characters, and help surface stories that you didn’t even know were inside you. Includes handouts, Q&A. (Adults; 60 min; $200 with permission to sell books and reimbursement for travel if necessary)
References
Dr. Matthew Swale, Warner University, (815) 735-0436, matthew.e.swale@gmail.com; Ann Garvin, University of Wisconsin, (608) 445-0387, garvina@uww.edu
Website
Contact
kploughrin@gmail.com, (630) 981-1761
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NEW! “Turning Survival into a Story” by Lea Grover
As we all know, the things that happen to you are not a story by themselves; it’s up to us to frame them and interpret them for others. Author and RAINN (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network) Speakers Bureau member Lea Grover teaches the tools she used when working with human trafficking and sexual abuse survivors to transform descriptions of their experiences into cohesive narratives and advocacy tools. (Adults; 60 min; $100 with permission to sell books)
References
Sarah Fader, Stigma Fighters, sarahfader@gmail.com, (917) 699-9578; Sara McGovern, RAINN, (202) 544-5537, saram@rainn.org
Contact
lea.r.grover@gmail.com, (312) 437-3724
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NEW! “Write Your Life: Starting and Keeping a Journal That Matters” by Mary Wisniewski
Yard sales are full of unfinished journals – the first 10 pages ripped out. Why is it so hard to keep a diary? Chicago reporter and lifelong diarist Mary Wisniewski (Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune) has taught journal writing for ten years at the Newberry Library as well as non-fiction seminars for Northwestern University and Chicago Writers Association conferences. She offers tips to develop a regular journaling habit and encourages participants to come with a notebook and write. Includes handouts, Q&A. (Adults; 90 min; $250)
References
Isabel Sperry, Newberry Library Adult Education Program, (312) 943-9090, sperryi@newberry.org; Stephanie Kulke, Northwestern University Media, (847) 491-4819
Website
Contact
wiz1166@yahoo.com, (312) 241-0007
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“Writing for Wellness” by Dr. Vicki Atkinson
Join Dr. Vicki Atkinson, author and Licensed Professional Counselor, to learn how to unlock your storyteller’s heart and enhance your self-care game at the same time. Learn about Dr. Atkinson’s top 10 techniques for improving life satisfaction and relationships and reducing stress – all through developing your voice as a writer. Includes handouts, Q&A. (Adults; 60 min; $150)
References
Rick Kaempfer, Eckhartz Press, rick@eckhartzpress.com, (847) 508-8867; David Stern, Eckhartz Press, davemich@sbcglobal.net, (773) 507-8907
Website
www.atkinsongroupsolutions.com
Contact
Vicki Atkinson, vatkinson815@gmail.com, (847) 927-2385
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“Writing Grief – Before, During, and After Loss” by Lea Grover
As writers, we often find that processing our experiences is done best on paper. In this 60-minute presentation and workshop, Grover describes several distinct types of grief (anticipatory grief, the 7 stages of grief, and silent grief among them), and how during these stages the way we write about our experiences can be filtered and understood. This workshop isn’t only about writing grief; it’s about using writing as a tool to better understand the stages as we go through them or reflect upon them. (Adults; 60 min; $100 with permission to sell books)
References
Sarah Fader, Stigma Fighters, sarahfader@gmail.com, (917) 699-9578; Sara McGovern, RAINN, (202) 544-5537, saram@rainn.org
Contact
lea.r.grover@gmail.com, (312) 437-3724
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“Building Suspense” by Libby Fischer Hellmann
Why do readers keep turning the pages? Suspense. Building suspense into your work is an essential element of fiction, no matter what genre you write. In this one-hour interactive workshop, award-winning thriller author Libby Fischer Hellmann explains how to do it and illustrates techniques you can apply to your writing right away. Appropriate for all fiction writers regardless of genre. Includes handouts. (Adults; 60 min; $400 with permission to sell books)
References
Chris Posinger, Des Plaines Public Library, CPosinger@dppl.org
Website
Contact