Event—Adult Education

The Micro-Memoir: An Introduction for Writers and Readers

“Flash” literature is in, and so is memoir. Put them together, and you have micro–memoir! In this seminar, we will use the appreciative reading of published micro–memoirs as a jumping off point for you to write your own micro–memoirs.

As a precaution to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Adult Education Seminars Program’s Fall 2020 term will continue to be held virtually. Virtual seminars meet via Zoom video conference and use email and Google Drive folders to share resources and communicate with instructors and participants. For more information about the Newberry’s virtual seminars and these tools, including a Zoom tutorial, please see our Virtual Seminars FAQ page. If you have questions about online learning, please feel free to reach out to seminars@newberry.org.

For more information about the Newberry’s response to COVID-19 please visit www.newberry.org/covid19.

Seminar Description

“Flash” literature is in, and so is memoir. Put them together, and you have micro–memoir! In this seminar, we will use the appreciative reading of published micro–memoirs as a jumping off point for you to write your own micro–memoirs. We will cover flash literature techniques like compression and imagery and generative activities like list–making and timelines. Participants will have opportunities to share work and get feedback from other participants and the instructor, who is working on a micro–memoir collection and has several already in publication or forthcoming.

One session. Registration – $85

Julie Benesh’s writing has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and has appeared in Tin House, Florida Review, Crab Orchard Review, Journal of Compressed Creative Arts, and other publications. She holds an MFA in fiction from Warren Wilson College and was the recipient of an Illinois Arts Council Grant.

Materials List

Recommended:

  • A free digital course packet of additional material, compiled by the instructor and distributed electronically before the seminar begins.

  • Beth Ann Fennelly, Heating and Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs. W.W. Norton and Company, 2017. ISBN: 978-0393609479.

First Reading:

  • There is no reading assignment for this seminar.

Registration Information

Online registration opens at 9 am (CST) on Tuesday, September 1st.

Please note: Due to COVID-19, the Adult Education Seminars staff is working remotely and will be unable to process registration over the phone. For more information about registration, including a guide to online registration, see our Registration Information page. Questions? Please contact seminars program staff via email at seminars@newberry.org.

We offer a 10% discount to members, seniors, and students.

This seminar has reached capacity. Please email seminars@newberry.org to be added to the wait list.

This seminar is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about registering for a seminar, program policies, or teaching a seminar.