In "Writing and Publishing Personal Essays," nationally acclaimed writing teacher Sheila Bender shares the tips and secrets that have given so many of her students the skills and confidence to become writers. Her clear and powerful instruction will benefit experienced writers as much as it benefits beginner. "Writing and Publishing Personal Essays" includes: * Powerful encouragement to begin writing today * Instructions for writing 8 different kinds of personal essays * Special techniques for receiving and using critical feedback * Proven tips for getting your writing published * An extensive listing of additional resources Read "Writing and Publishing Personal Essays" and discover why Brenda Miller, author of "Tell It Slant: Writing and Shaping Creative Nonfiction," calls Sheila Bender an "extra-ordinary teacher in person and on the page."
After publishing many books on writing for a variety of publishers, I decided to launch Writing It Real, an online magazine for those who write from personal experience.
I have been publishing the magazine weekly since October, 2001, as well as facilitating others' writing in online classes, phone and email consults, and manuscript evaluations through WritingItReal.com. I also offer help through alliances with IAJW.org and Writers.com and through in-person seminars across the US. Most recently, I've enjoyed teaching for the Whidbey Island Writers' Conference, the Field's End Writer's Conference, the Write on the Sound Conference, Centrum Foundation's Writer's Conference, and the annual Writing It Real conference I do with Meg Files and Jack Heffron. I offer in-person classes regularly at Hugo House in Seattle and The Writers' Workhoppe in Port Townsend, WA as well as at libraries in the area.
In addition to the instructional books I write, I have a memoir out, A New Theology: Turning to Poetry in a Time of Grief. It took seven years to write about the five months following the death of my son in a snow boarding accident. I can think of no better way to heal while grieving than by reading poems and personal essays and stories by others who have suffered similar losses. When we have lost someone dear to us, we must live our lives double, for them and for us, to honor them. Writing toward discovery, as we do in writing poems and memoir, helps us live in this way and brings us energy.
I received my Master's Degree from the University of Washington where I studied with David Wagoner, William Matthews, Stephen Dunn, Stanley Plumly, Colleen McElroy and many other fine poets. I went on to also master the art of prose, and I enjoy each instructional book and article I write as I am constantly learning and sharing that learning with others is a passion. I hope you'll visit my website at www.writingitreal.com as well as my facebook fan pages on which I publish inspirational and informative writing messages as well as publication information: www.facebook.com/writingitreal and www.facebook/anewtheology.
