My private workshops, live or online, often run when enough writers have registered. If you would like to participate in one, please e-mail me at lattamemoirs@gmail.com with your name and writing level (beginners welcome), and in the case of a live workshop, your preference for weekday or weekend. I do not schedule workshops in July or August.
Customized workshops: Some full-day (and occasional half-day) workshops are tailored for small groups of 6 to 8 at Varley Art Gallery in Unionville, or elsewhere in the Greater Toronto Area by special request. Workshops generally run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including light lunch; or two half-days, one week apart.
Online courses and workshops: These are open to international participants who write in English. I have welcomed writers from the United States, England, Mexico, South Africa, and Australia. Introductory and advanced online workshops are limited to 6 participants.
My online workshops, both introductory and advanced, run 6 weeks. Once registered, you access the course through a blog similar to this one but open only to you and your group. The course site is open 24/7, and you can post your stories, comment on others’ stories, or generally discuss writing at any time of day (or night). If for your own reasons (vacation, illness, etc.) you can’t log on for a few days, you won’t miss anything because all the discussion and writing remains on the site.
Four weeks out of 6 I post a relevant reading — it might be an article or book review, or an interview I’ve conducted with a published writer — and a stimulating writing exercise. In addition, over the 6 weeks you are encouraged to post three of your own memoirs (word count specified) on any subject. As instructor, I visit the site most weekdays to take part in discussions, comment on writing, and occasionally post links to other useful memoir-related sites on the Internet.
The courses are fun, interactive and motivating. Many of my students have returned for several sessions, because no two are exactly the same. You’ll get to know a diverse group of people, perhaps some from far afield and yet all with a common goal: to explore their life experiences in writing for themselves, for family and friends … or for publication.
Consultations: Private consultations on memoir-related projects can be arranged in person in the Toronto area or via e-mail. Please contact me at lattamemoirs@gmail.com for fees and details.
Book in a Year: Selectively I mentor an emerging writer over a 10-month period as he or she writes a draft of a book-length manuscript. Interested writers are required to submit a short bio, a writing sample, and an outline of the proposed book. Mentoring is done online. To check my availability, and for guidelines on my Book in a Year program, click Contact on the Home page.
Unless otherwise stated, please register for workshops by contacting me at lattamemoirs@gmail.com