Want To Write?

7 Week Memoir Class With Lizzie Simon

My next memoir and personal essay writing class will take place on Zoom on seven Wednesdays, 1pm to 2:30pm EST, April 23 - June 4, 2025. The guest authors and editors this session are phenomenally talented and high achieving. Deborah Taffa's "Whiskey Tender" was a finalist for the 2024 National Book Award. Lucy Sante's "I Heard Her Call My Name" was named one of the best books of 2024 by The New York Times, Slate and Washington Post. Manjula Martin's "The Last Fire Season" was a Finalist for a 2024 Book Critics Circle Award. And Sari Botton, editor of Memoir Monday and Oldster, will bring editorial expertise as well as insight from publishing her most recent memoir "And You May Find Yourself."

Class size is limited! Join us.

$600.00

Quantity:

Since my own memoir, Detour, was published, I have led students through a series of classes that teach craft, inspire courage and ease writers into writing for a small chunk of time every day.

I think that writing is good for the brain, and that writing amongst supportive writers can become a kind of paradise.

During class, we pay attention to things like tension, voice, plotting, metaphor and structure. We look closely together at masterful personal essays and excerpts from excellent memoirs to see how they achieved their impact. And we have authors and visit our zoom to discuss their memoirs as well as curiosities and concerns that students have related to the adventure of writing.

Between classes, students will be tasked with writing one moment from their lives for thirty minutes a day — it’s harder than it sounds, and much, much more productive than it seems it would be. Then, in the beginning of each zoom, students have the opportunity to read pieces from the work they are writing — but they only receive applause from me and the group. This is not the classic “workshop” model where writers are pummeled with feedback. And students do not receive individualized editorial services from me.

What participants in the class co-create is a safe and inspiring environment to learn and do their best and bravest work. In the past, students have been a mix of professional writers and beginners. Some are working towards publishing a book or an essay, others simply want to take some time out of life to explore their natural talent and their complex lives. We've all got stories. In times of turbulence, I've always found it re-orientating, and fortifying, to write mine down.

What Students Are Saying

For years, I have been told, “You should write.” What’s more, I even fancied myself a writer. But I could rarely get started writing or keep going, if I did. How could I possibly write about myself and think anyone would want to read about my life stories? I took Lizzie’s workshop and the miracle happened. Lizzie is that rare alchemist who knows—and knows how to remove—all the things that get in the way of writing. Three months later, I am still writing consistently in reasonable time frames, loving the time I spend writing, and am firmly on my way to finishing writing projects I am proud of and know will find an audience.

– Leah Cox
Lizzie Simon’s memoir class is unparalleled. She’s a gifted and generous teacher. The class gets you writing, and writing, and writing. In conversation with celebrated writers, agents, and other pros, you learn the business end of publishing. All I can say is Take Lizzie’s class. Your life, work, and writing will be all the richer for it.

– Monique Erickson
My dancing ass has never been so still in the past 45 years as it has these past six weeks in "the chair.” Lizzie Simon: Writer, Author, Teacher: Gave me the tools to face both my fears and my strengths. Through the most gentle guidance, writing tools and nudging I found I could peel back my emotional skin and share my truth. I found this class to be my safe, supportive and judgement free space that allowed me to write and tell my story. Jump in, the water’s fine.

– James H.
Lizzie's class provided a supportive space for me and other writers to not only learn but to be heard, and to develop our own work as we went along. With advice from both Lizzie and her colleagues in the field of writing/publishing, I now have invaluable tools that I will continue to use when I write going forward. In such strange and unnerving times, I found it helpful for practical purposes, but also spiritually and creatively.

– Bryn O.
Lizzie is a wonderful teacher. I have taken her class twice now, and both times have felt extremely motivated by her teaching. She invites creativity and gives her students the permission and space to write. I'm now more dedicated to carving out time for myself and my writing. I highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to write memoir!

– Camilla E.
What can I say about Lizzie. She is a born teacher of writing with a lot of experience and success to back it up. But maybe the best part of her skillset is to motivate her students to sit down and WRITE.

– Frank F.
Lizzie read my mind when she gave assignments. Beyond the critical nuts and bolts, she addressed the emotional and self-discipline challenges of memoir writing. The last assignment changed the course of my book and opened up the fresh, provocative approach that I’d been looking for.

– Kat F.
Lizzie's class was great. I was able to write nearly every day and felt very productive and prolific! I really enjoyed her guidance and the prompts and exercises were spot on for me. The class felt very nurturing and I loved all my new super interesting new writing friends! I also really enjoyed our guests - they were interesting and helpful! Write on!

– Robyn M.

Item 1 of 8

Got Questions About The Class?

Drop a note to Lizzie. She’ll get back to you shortly!

Contact Lizzie