New essay course starting January 13th on Ruzuku

One of the great aspects of online learning is the flexibility of schedule.  But this is one of the great challenges as well.  Online classes tend to appeal to people who have busy schedules, and still those schedules get in the way.  This has inspired me to create a new format with this online essay course.  The course itself is 14 weeks long, divided into seven units.  In each unit we'll spend a week discussing the work of the assigned author followed by a week of student work and critique.  The assigned writers offer a variety of approaches to the art of writing an essay, from the intellectual, to the humanist, to the deeply personal.   Students should leave the course with a broader appreciation for creative non-fiction as well as a stronger sense of who they are as writers themselves.  Course fee: $300.00.  $25.00 discount available by contacting the instructor at ken@kenfosterbooks.com 

Ken Foster is the author of a memoir, The Dogs Who Found Me; a collection of stories, The Kind I'm Likely to Get; and a collection of essays,Dogs I Have Met. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Salon, Fence, Bomb, McSweeney's, The Believer, The New York Times, Bark, The San Francisco Chronicle and elsewhere. He is the recipient of fellowships from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Yaddo, the New York Foundation of the Arts, and The Sewanee Writers Conference. He has taught at The New School, Florida State University, the University of New Orleans, and elsewhere.  His most recent book, I'm a Good Dog, was selected as one of the year's best by Vanity Fair Magazine. 

Jan   13—26 Reading: David Sedaris, Selections

Writing:

Jan. 27—Feb. 9^th   Reading:  Joan Didion, The White Album

Writing:

Feb.  10^th—Feb. 23^rd Reading:  Selections from Best American Essays

Writing: 

Feb. 24—March 9 Reading:  Janet Malcolm, Forty-One False Starts

Writing:

March 10^th—March 23^rd Reading:  Joseph Mitchell, Up in the Old Hotel

Writing:

March 24^th—April 6^th Reading:  Luc Sante, Kill All Your Darlings

Writing:

April 7^th—April 21^st:  Reading:  Kathryn Harrison, The Kiss

Writing:

From previous students:

"Ken is a gifted instructor and his talent for engaging students shines throughout his course."

"Taking Ken's class was the single best thing I have ever done to improve my writing. I feel my technical skills and my ability to select subject matter improves on a weekly basis.""Ken is remarkably patient and very human, bringing out the best in his students, both as writers and critics. At the end of the class every one us wanted to continue studying with him."

"Ken is a thoughtful, engaged instructor who reads work with an eye towards quality."

"Ken taught me how to analyze and edit my work so I can produce powerful, polished pieces."

"I loved Ken's workshop. When I finished the class, I felt good about what I'd accomplished and excited to continue writing."

"Ken is a wonderful teacher. He gave each student thoughtful and useful feedback that inspired confidence. He understands the craft of writing and has the skills to teach it." 

"Ken gave thought-provoking assignments and critiques and kept up with our questions on the message boards. He has a great deal to offer as an instructorand is sensitive to his students' needs and abilities."