StoryStudio Chicago

A Copy Editor’s Guide: Four Lessons on the Art, Craft, and Refinement of Prose, with Benjamin Dreyer - StoryStudio Chicago Benjamin Dreyer, retired copy chief of Random House and the author of the New York Times bestseller Dreyer’s English, will unpack his capacious bag of tricks, previously secret advice, and all-round…

We know it's Sunday, but make tomorrow a "Monday Funday!" 😎

Sign up for @bcdreyer.social's four-session, online class and learn about "America's Copy Editor's" capacious bag of copyediting tricks (like why "copy editor" is two words, but "copyediting" is one word 😅).

buff.ly/NySnNMS

#writers

Story Studio Genre Series — Horror edition

I’m so sorry I have to miss Tuesday but I’m teaching that day at @storystudiochicago.bsky.social

The amazing Mathila Zeller will be there at Women & Children First with this great line up!

The Last Ten Percent: Revision and Submission Intensive with Bess Winter - StoryStudio Chicago This four-week online course, intended for intermediate to advanced fiction writers who are seeking their first publications, focuses on that last ten percent of short story writing: revision and…

“How do I survive my story's final stretch?”

In this 4-session class, we’ll break down everything you need to know to cross that finish line. If you need help tackling revisions or exploring the world of publishing, this ONLINE class with @bess-winter.bsky.social is for you!

A Perfect Pairing: A Storytelling and Food Class with K.W. Onley - StoryStudio Chicago Perfect for fiction or nonfiction writers, we will practice how to include and describe food in our writing--how to evoke taste, smell, and that beautiful cozy feeling of having consumed a great meal…

Meals are memories.

This 4-session ONLINE class explores how to describe food in your writing–how to evoke taste, smell, and that beautiful cozy feeling of having consumed a great meal and better conversation. Class starts 11/03.

buff.ly/Nofl9AS

#writingcommunity

Genre Series: How to Build a Haunted House with Ruth Joffre - StoryStudio Chicago Welcome, architects of the weird! Are you ready to haunt your readers? This class will give you all the tools you need to build a haunted house from the ground up.

Haunt your readers in time for Halloween in @ruthjoffre.bsky.social's @storystudiochicago.bsky.social class… One class, Zoom, starts October 16!
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...

The Last Ten Percent: Revision and Submission Intensive with Bess Winter - StoryStudio Chicago This four-week online course, intended for intermediate to advanced fiction writers who are seeking their first publications, focuses on that last ten percent of short story writing: revision and subm...

If your book’s almost done, learn how to revise and where to submit in @bess-winter.bsky.social's @storystudiochicago.bsky.social class… Four classes, Zoom, starts October 30!
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...

Write your TV Pilot -- this class is all about turning prose ideas into a project for the small screen. Definitely for writers of all types -- grab your spot now. Starts Monday!

#writersofbluesky

Memoir Foundations with Lane Regan (Fall 2025) - StoryStudio Chicago You know your story, so how do you tell it? How do you even begin to write it? Where does it start and how does it end? What is the story and who are you and why do you want to tell it? In this course...

You know your story, but how do you tell it? Take Lane Regan’s @storystudiochicago.bsky.social class and learn to write your memoir… Five classes, Zoom, starts October 30!
www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...

Chicago! Join us for our Breakfast & Book Club event with writer Sarah Ruhl next Friday, October 10 for a discussion of her essay collection Lessons From My Teacher.

Register now! buff.ly/Gb9seY7

Just two spots left! Does one have your name on it?!

Write a TV Pilot with Zac Hug - StoryStudio Chicago This four-week class takes a look at how a TV pilot embraces, builds upon, and innovates the basic storytelling tools of plot and character, as well as smaller story mechanics like theme, genre, and…

Just a few days left to sign up for Zag Hug's "Write a TV Pilot" class and commit yourself to shaping your story for the small screen. Four 2.5-hour classes -- all ONLINE -- begin Monday, October 6.

Register now! buff.ly/98wyYYI

#writingcommunity

Come write and read with me! We’re gonna have a ton of fun!

@michaelzapata.bsky.social's online Intensive Coaching Cohort kicks off in just two weeks. You do NOT want to miss this opportunity for six months of mentorship, feedback, and accountability. This is what you've been waiting for, #writers.

Here's all the info to sign up now: buff.ly/AoB8GYf

Yayyyy @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social!!!!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

THE NOMINEES FOR THE FICTION CATEGORY ARE: All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall The Favorites by Layne Fargo True Failure by Alex Higley Vanishing Daughters by Cynthia Pelayo The El by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

THE NOMINEES FOR THE NONFICTION CATEGORY ARE: The Mourner’s Bestiary by Eiren Caffall Original Sins: The (Mis)Education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism by Eve L. Ewing Chicago’s Fine Arts Building: Music, Magic, and Murder by Keir Graff Malört: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit by Josh Noel The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity by Sarah Schulman

THE NOMINEES FOR THE POETRY CATEGORY ARE: Hardly Creatures by Rob Macaisa Colgate Death is a Mariachi by Marcy Rae Henry Blood Wolf Moon by Elise Paschen The Book of Echoes by David Gregory Welch Games for Children by Keith S. Wilson

THE NOMINEES FOR STORY OR ESSAY ARE: “A trans migrant came to Chicago to escape violence. Now she’s afraid of deportation.”by Adriana Cardona-Maguigad in WBEZ Chicago “‘There are no places for us to just be free’” by Tonia Hill in The TRiiBE “Lives in Transition: Transgender Young Adults Search for Stability in Uncertain Times” by Mare Ralph in South Side Weekly and City Bureau “Doors Closing” by Tal Rosenberg in Chicago Magazine “Dennis Rodman’s gay 90s” by Jack M Silverstein in Chicago Reader

Thank and congratulations everyone!

I’m honored that Vanishing Daughters is nominated for a CHIRBy Award. 

This is my first non-genre nomination and it means the absolute world to me as I continue to expand and grow my career.

I love you Chicago. I’m so proud of the Chicago literary community.

Creative Writing Essentials Online Fall 2025 with Kathryn Kruse - StoryStudio Chicago Come explore elements that live at the heart of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in this eight-session introduction to creative writing.

Kathryn Kruse's eight-session online Creative Writing Essentials class kicks off October 7. What a great opportunity kick-start your writing in a warm, welcoming online community.

Register now! buff.ly/JBpv2Ax

#writers

Conflict is where the rubber meets the road in any piece. Take this four-session ONLINE class with Ploi Pirapokin beginning Oct. 30, and learn how to naturally integrate and built tension in your narratives.

buff.ly/4v3Rxn4

#writingcommunity

Submitting is scary! But it doesn't have to be. Take this four-session ONLINE class with @bess-winter.bsky.social -- The Last Ten Percent: Revision and Submission Intensive -- and learn how to polish your piece and submit with confidence.

Starts Oct. 30.

buff.ly/RPv3UGe

#writersofbluesky

This will be decidedly not boring! 📚😁

If you’re not a procrastinator, are you even a writer? 😂

But maybe now is the time!

👇👇👇

Short stories are all the rage these days! Learn the tricks of the short story trade in this six-session ONLINE class beginning October 13.

buff.ly/E19BK4V

#writingcommunity

I promise to be extra charming. We'll have a blast. Join us! @storystudiochicago.bsky.social

PJ Seminar: A Master Class on Deciding the Best Point of View for Our Fiction with Chris Bohjalian - StoryStudio Chicago Choosing our perspective—or choosing to have multiple perspectives—is, perhaps, the first decision we make when we start a novel or short story.

There are still a few spots (but only A FEW) in @chrisbohjalian.bsky.social's class on choosing the best POV for your fiction.

This class is TONIGHT!

It's two hours, online, beginning at 7 pm CT. Don't miss it.

www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/clas...

#writingcommunity

Plans tonight? Check out this awesome book event -- writer Peter Mountford, author of the new short story collection DETONATOR, will be in conversation with our Artistic Director @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social at Book Cellar at 7pm.

More info and RSVP here: www.bookcellarinc.com/peter-mountf...

I just signed up for this. It’s a steal!

#copyediting #writingcommunity

A Copy Editor’s Guide: Four Lessons on the Art, Craft, and Refinement of Prose, with Benjamin Dreyer - StoryStudio Chicago Benjamin Dreyer, retired copy chief of Random House and the author of the New York Times bestseller Dreyer’s English, will unpack his capacious bag of tricks, previously secret advice, and all-round…

Now's the time to claim your spot! @bcdreyer.social's "Four Lessons on the Art, Craft, and Refinement of Prose" begins one week from today -- Monday, October 6.

Register now for this four-session online class:

Come write with us in January!

Spots for this retreat are going quickly -- grab yours now!

👀👀

Registration is now OPEN for our next retreat at beautiful Ragdale.

The retreat happens January 18-23 with instructor @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social

The theme for the week-long retreat is: "The Creative Way: A Week of Creative Restoration"

Book your spot now: buff.ly/RMr4PYY