Stay True: Crafting Your Nonfiction Story with Jana G. Pruden

About Jana G. Pruden

Register $350–$550 🇨🇦

Payment plans can be arranged. Email to request.

Registration for this class is full. Email us at info@pandemicuniversity.com to join the waiting list for the next offering and get first dibs when it’s announced.

Learn the foundations of narrative nonfiction storytelling from award-winning journalist Jana G. Pruden in this five-week lecture and discussion course. From memoir and personal essays to long-form nonfiction and literary journalism, employing the tools of narrative will help you craft memorable stories that stand out. Whether you are a new writer just getting started, or an experienced journalist wanting to further your craft, this is the perfect course to develop and sharpen your narrative chops. Classes will include readings and discussion, and the opportunity to discuss students’ story ideas and reporting techniques. Students do not need to have a work in progress.

The class is open to 25 students with capacity for 12 students to upgrade in an after-course workshop series for an additional fee of $200 CAD. Upgraded enrollments will see writers put the techniques and lessons into practice by developing a story with their peers and instructor. This includes receiving instructor feedback on a story pitch, as well as writing exercises and peer workshopping.

Eligibility: Writers who add on the workshop to their enrollments must have either a story idea or draft in process ready in January.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Learn the foundations of narrative nonfiction writing
• Develop and build upon practical interview skills and techniques
• Learn how to incorporate literary techniques into your nonfiction writing
• Acquire skills for editing, rewriting and pitching
• Upgraded registration: Access an exclusive workshop series to work on a story
• Upgraded registration: Receive constructive feedback on drafts from fellow students and Jana

TUITION

Stream A: Regular Class Lectures & Discussions ($350 🇨🇦 | ~$260 🇺🇸)
Students attend classes and participate in the lectures, class discussions and weekly reading assignments, but will not develop their ideas into a story with Jana.

Stream B: Classes with Story Development & Workshops ($550 🇨🇦 | ~$450 🇺🇸)
Students who upgrade to this level will see writers put the techniques and lessons into practice by developing a story with their peers and instructor. This includes receiving instructor feedback on a story pitch, as well as writing exercises and peer workshopping.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Tuesdays, Dec. 13/22–Jan. 17/23 @ 7–9pm ET (no class on Dec. 27)

Upgraded Level – Workshopping Dates: Jan. 24, Feb. 7, & Feb. 21 @ 7–9pm ET

• Class 1 – Dec. 13: How and why we write narrative
• Class 2 – Dec. 20: Gathering the pieces: Scene and Detail
  • No class December 27
• Class 3 – Jan. 3: The people on the page: Interviewing and Access
• Class 4 – Jan. 10: Getting to the first draft: Organization and Structure
• Class 5 – Jan. 17: Getting to the final draft

ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS (Stream B)

• Workshop 1, Jan. 24: Discussion of student stories and reporting plan
  • No workshop January 31; gap week to work on first drafts
• Workshop 2, Feb. 7: Workshopping part 1
  • No workshop February 4; gap week to work on final drafts
• Workshop 3, Feb. 21: Workshopping part 2

REGISTRATION

After checkout, you’ll receive a receipt with a link to download your syllabus, which will include Zoom passcodes, pre-class homework, and additional course information. You will also receive an emailed reminder a few days before your first class.

ELIGIBILITY AND PREREQUISITE

This course is suitable for writers of all levels and experience. Students who’ve upgraded for the additional workshops are expected to complete their writing assignments and fulfill workshopping obligations, including reading classmates’ work and providing meaningful feedback in-class during exercises.

CLASS RECORDINGS/PARTICIPATION

The course is designed for live participation, however, if you can’t be present for a class, or must leave early, a recording will be provided in the student folder the morning after. Students are expected to be present and intellectually curious during class time. Please be ready to participate with working cameras and audio. If you’re ever stuck or may need accommodation, please reach out to your instructor or TA.

ACCESSIBILITY

Pandemic University is committed to offering a fulfilling and inclusive education. Classes are held via Zoom with Closed Captioning features enabled through auto-transcription technology. A teaching assistant will be present to correct transcription mistakes and assist in other ways. The course includes workshops and class discussions, thus students are required to participate through audio; accommodations can be made for people with speaking or other disabilities if they inform us ahead of schedule. Video is encouraged of all students in order to optimize everyone’s virtual classroom experience.

CAPACITY AND REFUNDS

Space is limited to 25 students, including 12 students who’ve upgraded their registration for the workshopping series. Anyone wishing to cancel their registration have until Dec. 6, 2022 to receive a guaranteed refund. If you cancel after Dec. 6 but before Dec. 12, 2022 we will only offer a refund if and after the vacated spot is filled. No refunds whatsoever will be offered after the course begins on Dec. 13. A minimum of approximately 10 enrolments is required for the course to proceed. In the event that we don’t reach this threshold, all enrolees will receive a full refund. Violations of the Code of Conduct may also result in your removal from the course without compensation.

Although PanU is technically a fake university, we’re committed to high standards of artistic integrity, quality education, and maintaining a safe virtual environment for students. Abusive behaviour toward classmates or instructors will not be tolerated at any point during the course, including in private messages, and will result in expulsion without refund.

Other violations that could have you expelled from this course include: refusing to participate in group workshops; plagiarism and misrepresentation of others’ ideas as your own; sharing recordings of classes; sharing classmates’ work without their consent; and racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia either in your notes feedback to classmates or in your written work.

The final say on whether or not you continue in class belongs to the instructor alone. If you have any questions, email info@pandemicuniversity.com.