Live & Recorded Classes

Find community and grow your craft in our online workshops. We host both synchronous and asynchronous courses using Zoom and Canvas, an easily accessible, private online platform. Whether you’re a new writer or a well-published pro, you’ll find motivation, structure, constructive criticism, and a dedicated cohort.

Instructor: Morgan LaRocca, Publicist, Milkweed Editions

Date: Sunday, November 24th, 2024, 2-4 pm ET on Zoom

Can’t make it on November 24th? No problem. A recording will be sent to all registrants.

Cost: $60

Open to: All writers, all genres

In this masterclass, we’ll peel back the curtain and look into how publicity works to advance your book at every stage in your writing process, and how you can help get the word out about yourself and your work. We’ll work together to create goals for how you would like to see your book move in the world, discuss the various tactics and strategies that are incorporated into a publicity campaign, and perfect your “elevator pitch” for your book. No matter where you are in your writing, knowing how to be an advocate for your book, and how the publicity process works will bolster your success. 
 

Learn more about Morgan Larocca here.

Instructor: Kathryn Kulpa

Date: December 8, 2024 8 am to 10 pm ET

Class Limit:  10

Cost: $150

Open to writers of: Flash Fiction, Micro Fiction, Flash CNF, Micro Memoir
 
Format: Stories will be posted and discussed on an asynchronous discussion board. Page will remain open through December 11 to accommodate different time zones.

Do you sometimes worry that your story isn’t “enough” because you don’t have any major drama? No body count, no explosions, no life-changing cataclysm, no shocking last-minute twist that will make everyone say “Wow!” But there is power in a quiet story, in a story that captures an ordinary moment and captures it well.

In part one of this one-day asynchronous workshop, we will read and discuss some examples of quiet stories. I will share one of my own and talk about my process and the choices I made to stay with one simple moment. I’ll share some writing prompts, and writers will be asked to complete them in a given time and post them on our shared site. In part two, after a break, we will read and discuss our first stories, then do a second round of prompts so writers can share either new stories or revisions. Everyone should leave with at least one completed story and strategies for making quiet stories shine.

Learn more about Kathryn Kulpa here.

90-Minute Sessions, hosted by Cleaver, on Zoom.

  • Sunday. December 8, 2024, 2-3:30 pm ET
  • Sunday, January 12, 2025, 2-3:30 pm ET
  • Sunday, February 9, 2025, 2-3:30 pm ET
  • Sunday, March  9, 2025, 2-3:30 pm ET

Cost: $5

Open to: All Writers

Are you struggling to find writing time? Showing up for your writing practice is the hardest part—life knocks you off track. 

Cleaver Magazine to the rescue! You don’t have to go it alone. Join us for our monthly Ass in Chair Sessions, a once-a-month, 90-minute commitment to your writing practice. With the communal energy that comes from writing together, you will make progress towards your writing goals, one word, one paragraph, one page at a time—by getting your Ass in Chair time. We’ll offer an optional prompt at the beginning—who knows where it will take you?

Each session costs $5 (because you’re more likely to show up for yourself if you have some skin in the game), and happens on the second Sunday of every month. Make the commitment to yourself. Register here. These sessions are not recorded.

Instructor: Sarah Freligh

Date: Sunday, December 15th, 2024, 2-4 pm ET on Zoom

Can’t make it on December 15th? No problem. A recording will be sent to all registrants.

Cost: $60

Open to writers of: All Genres

This class will focus on how writers create unique and believable characters in very short stories. Our in-class discussion will revolve around published work with an eye toward how each author employs aspects of craft – including dialogue, action, thought and physical description — to build effective, unforgettable characters. xOur discussion will also include dynamic versus static characters, the inextricable union of character development and story arc, and guided exercises –in-class and take-home – designed to inspire new characters as well as revise/revive tired old characters from drafts. Students will leave the session with an understanding of character development and the aspects of craft involved in creating characters on a very small canvas.

Instructor: Karen Rile, Cleaver Editor-in-Chief

  • Sunday, December 22, 2024, 2-3:30 pm ET on Zoom
  • Sunday, January 19, 2024, 2-3:30 pm ET on Zoom
  • Sunday, February 16, 2024, 2-3:30 pm ET on Zoom
  • Sunday, March 16, 2024, 2-3:30 pm ET on Zoom
  •  

Cost: $5

Open to: All writers, all genres, all humans

Embodied ResistanceIt’s a metaphor; it’s a concrete concept. Resistance training is the key to longevity and long-term mobility. Join us for a Sunday afternoon functional yoga class to reconnect your body to your mind. We’ll practice a combination of movement, bodyweight resistance, brain mapping, and breathing for a fun, low-impact, anatomy-based workout. This class is based on the LYT Method (pronounced as in “litmag”), which combines the mindfulness of yoga with the intelligence of physical therapy to improve core strength, flexibility, and balance for humans of every age. You don’t need to be a writer, and you don’t need yoga experience to attend. 

Our brains were designed to move; the better you move, the better you think.

This class will be conducted on Zoom. You’ll need a yoga mat and two yoga blocks. If you have knee pain, have a blanket or towel nearby. If your wrists bother you, you can use a pair of dumbells (any weight) for support. You don’t need to turn on your camera, but if you set up your mat and camera so I can see you, I may be able to give you live feedback. Questions? Email me. Each session costs $5 and happens on the third Sunday of every month. If cost is a barrier, email me directly and you’ll be added to the list, no questions asked. Make the commitment to yourself. Register here

Instructor: Jackson Tatge

Date: Sunday, January 26th, 2025, 2-4 pm ET on Zoom

Can’t make it on January 26th? No problem. A recording will be sent to all registrants.

Cost: $60

Open to writers of: All Genres

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to create a professional website tailored to your unique voice and brand as a writer. You’ll be guided through each step of website development. We’ll cover essential elements such as choosing the right platform, designing an engaging layout, and integrating features that showcase your work effectively and engage your audience. You’ll also delve into optimizing your site for search engines and ensuring it’s mobile-friendly. By the end of the course, you’ll have a fully functional, personalized website that serves as a powerful tool for building your online presence. Whether you’re an emerging author or a seasoned writer, this class will provide you with the skills and confidence to create a professional digital space that highlights your work and attracts potential readers. Join us to transform your ideas into a dynamic online platform and enhance your visibility in the literary world.

Learn more about Jackson Tatge here.

Instructor: Beth Kephart

Date: Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, 2-4 pm ET on Zoom

Can’t make it on February 23rd? No problem. A recording will be sent to all registrants.

Cost: $60

Open to writers of: Creative Nonfiction, Memoir

Are we ever really objective when we write ourselves onto the page? Are we in complete control of our image? What happens when we approach ourselves with ironic distance or guilt or self-forgiveness? When we announce ourselves to be a liar? When we own up to having more questions than answers? When we change perspectives? Jenn Shapland, David Carr, Emilie Pine, Sonja Livingston, Bella Pollen, Alexandra Fuller, and Mark Doty will help illuminate the topic. Exercises will advance the art of self-portraiture on the page.

Learn more about Beth Kephart here.

Recorded Classes

Missed it? No problem. Buy the recording.

CLEAVER CLINICS

One-on-one editorial feedback for works-in-progress.

Nonfiction Clinic
One-on-one feedback and guidance for creative nonfiction writers

Short Story Clinic
One-on-one feedback and guidance for fiction writers

CLEAVER WORKSHOP FACULTY

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