Ellen Sussman - Classes

Ellen teaches fiction writing classes in the San Francisco Bay area and several international locations. Check here regularly for updated schedules, class openings, and registration information.

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NOVEL/MEMOIR IN A YEAR 2026

Make 2026 the year you write that novel or memoir!

I'm now opening registration for NOVEL/MEMOIR IN A YEAR 2026.

This class will offer you guidance, support, craft lessons, deadlines, butt-kicking and a critique of your first twenty pages. And it all takes place on zoom.

Here's how it works:

We'll meet on zoom over 5 weekends during the year. For the first weekend, we'll have class on Saturday morning and on Sunday morning. (Pacific time.) For the other weekends, we'll have class on Saturday morning and "office hours" on Sunday morning, all on zoom.

You begin this class with a vague notion of a novel or a memoir that you'd like to write. In our classes, I talk about each aspect of the process: pre-writing, developing characters, plot, voice and point of view, the problematic middle of a novel, endings, and rewriting.

This class is NOT a workshop -- you don't read other students' work and they don't read yours. This is a year for you to write a novel or memoir, to have a teacher and coach to guide you along the way. I give you deadlines and I'm available to help you through the rough spots. I do a lot of cheering from the sidelines. And sometimes I pick up the whip as well.

In addition to the classes, we gather on zoom once a week for a "check-in" -- it's a half hour optional session to talk about your project and any struggles along the way. It's been a wonderful way to build community and to keep up the conversation about process and craft. And to be held accountable!

Please note: I changed the format of this class a year ago. I will not read and critique your full manuscript at the end of the year. (It was truly just too much work. 14 manuscripts!) (I did drop the cost significantly.) Instead, I will read and critique the first 20 pages along with a plot summary, and I will offer a list of development editors who would be ideal for your particular manuscript. I will still offer a one-hour private zoom session to discuss your project and how to move forward. I will also offer my help with query letters when you're ready to find an agent, even if that's years after our class has ended.

The Cost: It's $4,000. You would pay $2,000 as a non-refundable deposit and $2,000 on the first day of class.

Class dates:

Jan 10/11

Mar 21/22

June 6/7

Sept 12/13

Nov 14/15

If you are not available for any of the dates, you'll receive a video of each class. I'm available for consultation at any time, through email or phone calls. If you have questions about this, please shoot me an email and let me know your concerns. I can also give you student testimonials -- I have plenty of those. Email me at ellen@ellensussman.com.

BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORY Seminars

In this four-part class, we read the Best American Short Stories from the latest edition and discuss them in terms of craft. What can we writers learn from these masters? You can sign up for one, two, three or all four classes. We'll meet on zoom on four Saturday mornings from 9:00 AM (Pacific time) until noon.

DATES: Oct 11, Oct 18, Nov 22 and Dec 6, 2026.
COST: $100 per class

“I was an English major and have an MFA in creative writing and after years of workshops, Ellen remains one of my all-time favorite teachers. She has a natural talent for motivating students to write, handling the group critique dynamic, and helping you shape and push a story forward. I always left her classes with a spark of inspiration.” — Lolly Winston, NY Times Bestsellers Good Grief and Happiness Sold Separately

“Why take one of Ellen Sussman's classes? Inspiration. Not enough? How about the kind of criticism that will enable you to find your own voice and move your writing from the pedestrian to the distinctive? You want still another reason? Well, then there's this: with the class comes membership in a writing fellowship that brings both shared excitement and terror. Go for it!” — Keith Raffel, Dot.Dead

“Ellen is a perfect combination of tough coach and head cheerleader. She teaches with deep understanding how a writer stuggles. While creating a warm and welcoming environment, she challenges you to find depth in your work you never knew you could achieve.” — Shelly King, author of The Moment of Everything

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