U of T Summer Writing School  July 7-11, 2008

"The U of T writing school was a great way to plunge into tangential dialogue, surprising plot twists, and flesh out an eccentric cast of characters... and in addition to all that, I did some half-decent fiction writing while I was there." 
Vincent Lam, Author Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures: Stories,  Giller Prize Award Winner, and Creative Writing Summer School Student

Join our five day intensive workshop for emerging writers. Steps from the subway, on U of T’s campus in downtown Toronto , we offer you a chance to learn the craft of writing from some of Canada ’s finest authors:

Ken Babstock, Moe Berg, Barbara Berson, Giles Blunt, Joy Fielding, Ken McGoogan, Shani Mootoo, Karl Schroeder, Sudz Sutherland, Caitlin Sweet, and Alissa York

The expanded 2008 program features limited-enrolment, daily round-table workshops, one-on-one tutorials with your instructor, panel discussions, instructor and student readings, and the opportunity to meet and discuss your work with other emerging writers. 

Please submit prior to the workshop a piece (or excerpt) you want to workshop (maximum 20 pages, double-spaced - unless otherwise indicated): scs.writing@utoronto.ca

Daily Schedule:

Workshops: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday to Friday
Roundtable discussions of your work

Panels: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Tuesday to Friday
Discussions with instructors and guests on general topics about writing and the business of writing

Tutorials: A private session to discuss your work with your instructor

Readings: Instructors and selected students will read from their work

SCS 1828 Summer Writing School: Detective Fiction

The thrilling part of writing a mystery is knowing how to create the element of suspense through storytelling, narrative structure, imagery and character development. World-renowned mystery writer Giles Blunt shows you how the element of suspense can be sustained for maximum effect.

Fantasy fiction allows writers and readers to step outside the bounds of the known and imagine the world differently. In this workshop-style course, Aurora Award nominee Caitlin Sweet will help participants critique their own manuscripts as well as those of others; learn the basics of world-building, plot, narrative, character development, dialogue, and story arc; and receive information on the business side of being a fantasy writer. The course will include illuminating, even provocative, panels by established authors.

Some of the most exciting writing today is found in Narrative Non-Fiction, an emerging genre in which writers apply narrative strategies and techniques to factual material. This course will orient writers within the genre, which includes both personal streams (memoir, autobiography, travelogue) and impersonal ones (true-crime writing, biography, immersion reporting). Pierre Berton Award winner Ken McGoogan will help you to re-shape your work through lectures, discussions, craft exercises and workshopping of student writing.

SCS 1673 Summer Writing School: Novel Workshop

This workshop deals with longer fiction and how it can be structured and sustained. It examines the novel to guide the author through the planning, development, and polishing of the work. Giller Prize finalist Shani Mootoo leads the workshops, which feature open discussions, reading from works in progress and debate of artistic issues.

SCS 1671 Summer Writing School: Poetry Workshop

This course is designed for lovers of poetry who want to learn the craft and gain confidence in their own work. Through discussion, writing exercises, and workshops, these sessions, led by Trillium Award winner and Griffin Prize nominee Ken Babstock will help you to understand the mechanics, craftsmanship, and aesthetics of poetry, while building trust in your own voice and expressing yourself in poems that satisfy both writer and reader.

Science Fiction explores the effects of technological change on social systems and on individuals. Get instruction and advice on plot, character and world-building, how to research SF, and how to market your work from award-winning author Karl Schroeder.

SCS 1672 Summer Writing School: Short Story Workshop

Join Giller Prize nominee Alissa York in a workshop for aspiring writers who have written short stories that they want to share and improve. Classes combine instruction on the basic elements of fiction: plot, character, point of view and language, alternated with short, timed writing exercises. Students will also be given the opportunity to share and critique each other's work in a positive and supportive environment.

Bestselling author Joy Fielding guides you on your quest to write your own bestseller. Grab readers in chapter one and don't let them go. Create stories with themes that touch a common cord. Fielding's course emphasizes structure and vivid characterization as the secrets to selling your story.

SCS 1992 Summer Writing School: Writing for the Teen Market
Learn the craft and the art of writing for young adults, including story development and the role of narrative voice. Acquisitions Editor Barbara Berson will help you discover what makes a successful work of fiction that teens will want to read. Topics for discussion include: the differences between writing for boys and writing for girls; graphic novels; and current and emerging trends in young adult literature—what are publishers and teens looking for, anyway?

SCS 1993 Summer Writing School: Screenwriting
Classes are devoted to lectures and presentations on structure, character and dialogue, plus exercises, including the workshopping of student material.  Share ongoing work in class under the guidance of Gemini Award winner Sudz Sutherland.

SCS 1994 Summer Writing School: Songwriting

Learn proper songwriting forms, how to avoid cliches and how to marry your music with your lyrics in this intense week long workshop. Discover how great songwriters created the templates for today's popular songs. Short exercises will help you break through writer's block and find your unique voice. Pursuit of Happiness leader Moe Berg and guest artists will offer their experience and advice.