Memoir Writing Course in Reading, MA | Writers' Collaborative
Introduction to Memoir Writing
An autobiography is the story of a life. A memoir is a story from a life. This three-week course is a broad overview of the memoir form: collecting your memories, shaping them on the page, and discovering what your writing can do for you and for others.
- Format
- Course
- Length
- Three sessions. One session per week.
- Where
- In person, Reading, MA
- Tuition
- $295
Description
Over three weeks, we explore different approaches to memoir, learn techniques for collecting and shaping your memories, and develop the craft of turning lived experience into writing that resonates. No two memoirs look alike, and understanding that range is where the course begins.
Each session pairs a lesson with writing and discussion. By the end of the course, you'll have completed several pages of your own memoir.
Upcoming Dates
Registration closes 48 hours before the first session.
Saturdays, October 24 to November 7, 2026
Three sessions, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM ET
Reading, MA
Open
RegisterWe add new dates regularly. Additional dates for Introduction to Memoir Writing will be announced soon.
Week by Week
We utilize a collaborative learning approach; each session moves through guided lessons, in-class writing, and discussion during which we learn together.
Week One: Getting Acquainted with Memoir
What memoir is, what it is not, and why the distinction matters. We walk through examples of published memoir to see how different writers approach the form. No two memoirs look alike, and understanding that range is where this course begins.
Week Two: Data Mining Memory
Collecting the memories you know you have and surfacing the ones you have forgotten. Techniques for digging into your own experience and bringing material to the page that you did not know was there. This is where the raw material of your memoir takes shape.
Week Three: The Craft of Memoir Writing
Shape, titles, openings, closings, and how to put strength into your writing. The practical craft of turning collected memories into a piece of memoir that holds together on the page.
Course content and sequence may vary.
What You'll Leave With
- ✓ Several completed pages of your own memoir
- ✓ An understanding of the memoir form and the range of approaches to it
- ✓ Techniques for collecting and surfacing your memories
- ✓ The craft to shape lived experience into writing that holds together
Before You Register
What to bring, how registration works, and our cancellation policy.
What to Bring
Nothing needed. You're welcome to bring something to write with and take notes.
Who It's For
Any writer at any stage, in any genre. Whether you're just starting out or have been writing for years, this is for you.
Registration
48 Hours Ahead
Registration closes 48 hours before the first session. Register using the button in Upcoming Dates above. Members and non-members register the same way; the only difference is that members receive 20% off.
Cancellations
What Happens If a Course Can't Run
Unfortunately, we sometimes need to cancel due to extreme weather or insufficient enrollment. When a cancellation is necessary, we'll notify you.
- ✓ You'll be credited the amount toward another course or intensive at a comparable price.
- ✓ If it was canceled due to insufficient enrollment, you may request a refund instead.
If you need to cancel a course you've registered for, let us know and we'll issue a credit toward another offering of comparable value.
Membership
Members Receive 20% Off
Writers' Collaborative members receive 20% off every course and intensive, along with workspace access from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, every writing group, and all our weekly programming.
Not sure if this course is for you? Give us a call at (781) 663-2800 or email info@writersclc.com. We're happy to discuss with you.