(updated May 2013)
Private Consults: In addition to teaching courses and workshops, I offer private consults on writers’ works-in-progress. Do you have questions about how to approach your writing, editing, proposal preparation, or publishing? Contact me at lattamemoirs@gmail.com for rates and availability. By phone (1-hour minimum) or in person (2-hour minimum).
Custom Workshops: I also tailor workshops, individually or in a series, for small groups of at least 4. Email me to discuss your group’s writing interests and needs.
May:
MEMORIES INTO STORY: LIFE WRITING
University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies, Creative Writing Program
Location: Online
Dates:
SPRING 2013: May 6 to July 12 (10 weeks)
FALL 2013: September 23 to November 29
Fee: $625
Registration: Click Memories into Story for information or to register for an upcoming session.
Online: Creative Writing Program
Telephone: 416-978-2400
Email: learn@utoronto.ca
Also at University of Toronto:
MEMORIES INTO STORY II: CRITIQUE WORKSHOP, an 8-week advanced course, will run October 7 to December 13.
ONLINE MENTOR PROGRAM: I’m available upon request as a writing coach through the Online Mentor Program, University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies. Contact course administrator Bill Zaget at the above phone number or email address for details.
REDISCOVER YOUR STORIES: INTRODUCTION TO MEMOIR WRITING
Location: Hag Atelier (art studio), Casegoods Warehouse, Distillery Historic District, 9 Trinity Street, Toronto, M5A 3C4 (Map)
Date: Friday, May 17
Time: 10 am. to 3 p.m.
Fee: $129 ($119 for members of Writers’ Community of Durham Region and Writers’ Community of York Region). Bring a bag lunch or grab a bite at one of a choice of Distillery District eateries.
Registration: Contact me at lattamemoirs@gmail.com.
Details: Have you thought of writing your stories for family, friends, or a larger readership and wondered how to get started? This workshop’s blend of instruction, fun individual and group exercises, and discussion will provide you with tools and tips to help you begin, or take the next steps in, writing your memories. Rediscover your defining moments and how to bring them to life on the page.
MEMOIR CRITIQUE
Location: Koffler Centre of the Arts, 4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M2R 1W6 (free parking)
Date: May 27
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fee: $75
Registration: Contact the Education and Student Services Office at serdem@kofflerarts.org or 416-638-1881 x 4333.
Details from Koffler website:
“Literary editor and writer Allyson Latta returns to Koffler with a full-day Memoir Critique workshop, open to those who have participated in one of her introductory workshops, at Koffler or elsewhere, or a memoir workshop/course with another instructor. Memoir Critique builds on skills taught in intro workshops and shows you how to make your life stories more compelling and resonant. This workshop features instruction, exercises, and small-group discussion about short first-person stories or personal essays (1 per student, submitted in advance; maximum length 1500 words). Gain confidence in your voice, and explore topics such as story arc and techniques for beginning and ending memoirs powerfully. No membership affiliation fee required to sign up. Allyson’s website for writers is www.allysonlatta.ca.”
Koffler Centre of the Arts is Canada’s only multidisciplinary, contemporary Jewish cultural institution presenting cutting-edge exhibitions of new Canadian and international art, and diverse programs in music, dance, literature, film, spoken word and theatre. Their programs are open to everyone from every background.
June and July:
INTRODUCTORY MEMOIR WRITING: FROM PERSONAL TO UNIVERSAL
Location: Koffler Centre of the Arts, 4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M2R 1W6 (free parking)
Dates: June 3; July 17
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fee: $75
Registration: Contact the Education and Student Services Office at serdem@kofflerarts.org or 416-638-1881 x 4333.
Details: Koffler Centre of the Arts
Koffler Centre of the Arts is Canada’s only multidisciplinary, contemporary Jewish cultural institution presenting cutting-edge exhibitions of new Canadian and international art, and diverse programs in music, dance, literature, film, spoken word and theatre. Their programs are open to everyone from every background.
June:
SHARING YOUR STORIES: INTRODUCTION TO MEMOIR WRITING
Location: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, Toronto
Dates: Wednesdays, June 5, 12, 19, 26. (Series of four weekly workshops.)
Registration: This workshop series is now full.
July:
TURQUOISE WATERS WRITERS’ RETREAT (2nd annual)
Location: Sandy Lake, Kawartha Lakes Region, Ontario, Canada (host: Janet Markham)
Dates: Monday, July 29 to Friday, August 2
Registration: This retreat is now full.
Details: This is a creative writing retreat for those writing fiction or creative nonfiction. We are pleased to welcome chef Frank Soriano, who will prepare our evening meals (and also write!). Guest author for the retreat is Alexandra Leggat, author of the story collection Animal, nominated for the Trillium Book Award.
September:
SEVEN TREASURES: MEMOIR WRITING & COLLAGE WEEKEND
Instructors: Allyson Latta (writing) and Heather Gentleman of Hag Atelier (collage)
Location: Sandy Lake, Kawartha Lakes Region, Ontario, Canada (host: Janet Markham)
Dates: Friday, September 6 (12 noon) to Sunday, September 8, 2013 (3 p.m.)
Registration: Contact me at lattamemoirs@gmail.com to inquire or apply.
Details:
Artist Heather Gentleman of Hag Atelier, retreat owner Janet Markham, and I are collaborating to present this special three days of memoir writing & collage workshops (suitable for beginners) based on the Seven Treasures memoir series published on my website. The location is a spacious 10-bedroom lakefront property with separate studio space in the beautiful Kawartha Lakes.
As a guest you’ll enjoy well-appointed lakefront accommodation, all meals and snacks, writing and art workshops, a guest presentation by acclaimed author and collage artist Diane Schoemperlen, and a basic tutorial on how to self-publish a book, for yourself or others, based on what you create over the weekend. There will also be time for your own writing, discussion with other participants, and swimming if the weather’s great. Enjoy the tranquil natural surroundings from cottage, deck, dock, hammock, kayak, pedal-boat, or even hot tub.
This workshop is limited to 6 to 8 participants. Most rooms have queen beds; one has twins. Registrants will receive a list of suggested items to bring to create their collages; other art supplies will be provided.
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Past retreats:
SPICE ISLE WRITING & YOGA RETREAT
Location: Petite Anse Hotel and Restaurant, Grenada
Dates: April 7 to 14, 2013
TURQUOISE WATERS WRITERS’ RETREAT
Imagery and Imagination
Location: Sandy Lake, Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada
Dates: July 9 to 13, 2012
NAMASTE GARDENS WRITING AND YOGA RETREAT (2012)
Location: Playa Herradura, Costa Rica
Dates: January 21 to 30, 2012
Read more: “Writing on Tico Time: Memories of a Costa Rica Retreat”
SABINO SPRINGS WRITERS’ RETREAT (2011)
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Read this series of posts about the Sabino Springs retreat on participant Mary E. McIntyre’s blog, Washburn Island: Memoir of a Childhood.
OTTER LAKE WRITERS’ RETREAT (Fall 2010)
Illuminating the Path: Finding Theme and Structure for Your Memoir
Location: Otter Lake, Seguin County, Ontario
LOS PARRONALES WRITERS’ RETREAT (Winter 2010)
Location: Santiago, Chile
Read participant Katrine Geneau’s recollections of the Los Parronales retreat.