April 23 @ 7:00 pm – May 7 @ 9:00 pm EDT
Flash nonfiction is a powerful form for personal stories. Learn how to write punchy, poetic flash essays that make a lasting impact on readers.
[Limited to 20 students]
For Creative Nonfiction, Flash Nonfiction, Literary Nonfiction
Live On Zoom | Thursdays, April 23 – May 7, 2026 | 7-9 pm eastern
Flash nonfiction is the art of telling true stories from one’s life with power and brevity (in 1,000 words or less). During this three-week generative workshop, participants will learn the craft of writing flash nonfiction narratives, write new drafts, and receive feedback to practice what they’re learning.
Together, we’ll explore examples of expertly crafted flash nonfiction narratives and define what makes them effective. You’ll learn how to make your personal stories connect with readers by using theme and plot, compression and layering, and images and lyricism. Discover what editors look for when selecting flash nonfiction pieces for publication, and write your own powerful pieces.
This course will include readings, writing prompts, in-class writing time, writing homework, and Q&A. You’ll receive instructor feedback on two flash-length narratives.
Over these three weeks, you will …
- EXPLORE the key elements of flash nonfiction and how they work together to create powerful essays
- LEARN to create emotional resonance so that readers will be thinking about your piece long after they read it
- EXPLORE tips for writing engaging and powerful flash nonfiction that literary magazine editors will love
- DISCOVER how to use compression, layering, and lyricism to make each sentence pop
- WRITE flash nonfiction that’s powerful, punchy, personal, and poetic
Schedule
- Week 1. Make it Powerful: Theme, Plot, & Research
- Week 2. Make it Personal: Voice, Vulnerability & Emotional Intensity
- Week 3. Make it Punchy: Compression, Lyricism, & Form
This course is for intermediate writers who
- Want to generate new flash nonfiction work
- Want their flash nonfiction pieces to grab the attention of editors and readers
- Want to write more powerfully when writing short
- Seek to increase the impact of their prose
- Hope to publish flash nonfiction pieces in literary magazines
Closed captioning is available. ✔
Think you might miss a class? No worries, replays will be available. ✔
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Bethany Jarmul is an Appalachian writer, poet, writing coach, and workshop instructor. She’s the author of a poetry collection, Lightning Is a Mother, and a mini-memoir of flash nonfiction pieces, Take Me Home. Her work has been published in more than 100 literary magazines, including Brevity, River Teeth, and Chestnut Review. Her writing was selected for Best Spiritual Literature and Best Small Fictions, and nominated for the Pushcart Prize, The Best of the Net, and Best Microfiction. Twice, she earned first place in Women On Writing’s quarterly flash essay contest. Connect with her at bethanyjarmul.com or on social media: @BethanyJarmul.
Testimonials from past students:
“I love taking webinars taught by Bethany Jarmul and always get so much out of them. Bethany has a strong record of publication success and is skilled at sharing her techniques. In her webinars, which are both affordable and easy to sign up for, Bethany provides a huge amount of valuable information and writing strategies in clear, concise, easy-to-follow presentations.” – Beth Mulcahy
“Bethany’s workshops are helpful, worthwhile, and enjoyable. She is well organized and her workshops include step-by-step, actionable strategies that help writers take their craft to another level. The techniques I learned in her workshops helped to generate more writing in different genres and improved the quality of my writing overall. I’m always happy to attend one of her classes.” – Angelle McDougall
“Bethany is prepared, specific, and encourages questions. I’ve attended several of her webinars, even in a genre I don’t normally work in, and found myself stretching into this new area. Highly recommend her work and her webinars.” – Mare Biddle
“Bethany is a wonderful presenter. So grateful for how generous she was with examples, her own writing, suggestions for submissions, suggestions for continued diving into the craft…all in.” – Robin Perry
“Bethany is a wonderful presenter, speaks clearly and with enthusiasm. VERY present.” – Winnie Ganshaw
THE FINE PRINT
We understand that life can get in the way of your plans. We want you to be able to get the most out of your course, and our refund policy is designed to balance your need for flexibility with our deadlines and obligations to our teachers.
Before the first class, you may request a refund (less a $25 processing fee).
After class begins, you may request a refund for the remaining value of the course (less a $25 processing fee).
No credits or refunds will be available after the 1st class.
Questions? Please email Info@writingcraft.com
