In this four-session class, you will get an introduction to how a variety of Black women writers used journaling and types of small audience-writing, with examples and writing from Octavia E. Butler, Rita Dove, bell hooks, Audre Lorde and Toni Morrison. Using some of their methods as inspiration, we will then explore three options for low-stakes writing, each method receiving its own session: (1) journaling for the self, (2) blogging for small, digital audiences, and (3) zine-making for small audiences, with a focus on physical media. These sessions will also include suggestions for blogging and zine-making platforms, a short tutorial on how to make physical zines, prompts for getting started, and workshop time for sharing your initial work.

Our first class session will be introductions, guided instruction on the Black women writers’ tradition of low-stakes writing and self-publication, followed by time for Q&A and final prompts/writing assignments to bring back to the next class.

Session two will guide students to think about who their audience would be for their writing, what their goals with writing (and sharing!) would be, and some ideal topics that they aspire to write about—ultimately generating a plan for their own small publication. The ideas generated from this collaborative brainstorming session will lead to students creating their own journaling prompts to explore on their own.

Session three will explore zine-making. Now that students have some ideas about audience, their content, and how they might execute, we’ll spend a session learning to create physical zines. Students will be encouraged to finish their zine projects to bring back for workshop and discussion in session four.

Our last session will cover blogging essentials—finding a platform, ways to consider crafting and distributing your content, tips for working in small pieces of writing of around 1,000 words. Part of this last session will be spent making a shared resource which will include links to our favorite blogs, zines (and perhaps local events) and our favorite journaling prompts so students also have a takeaway guide.

I encourage participation and discussion, so come ready to dive in!

Low-Stakes Creative Writing Essentials: Intro to Journaling, Blogging, and Zine-Making (Expanded Edition); 4 sessions with Ravynn K. Stringfield