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12 Months To A Full Short Story Collection: A Generative Fiction Workshop: an Interview with Nathan Dragon
by Writing Workshops Staff
A month ago
For writers who want to transform their stories into a cohesive short story collection, Nathan Dragon is leading a 12 Month Short Story Collection intensive. With work appearing in NOON, The Baffler, and Fence, Nathan’s approach to storytelling is both innovative and grounded in the wisdom gained from his time publishing with the iconic Diane Williams. Now, in this exclusive 12-month generative workshop, Nathan invites you to join him on a transformative journey—one that takes you from first page to the final manuscript.
In an environment built on accountability and community, this course is designed to push intermediate and advanced writers toward their goals with structure and support. Over 35 sessions, Nathan will share his insights, alongside guest authors and industry professionals, to guide you through the craft of writing and the intricacies of the literary world. By the end of the year, you’ll not only have a polished manuscript, but a toolkit of writing skills to last a lifetime.
With guest lectures, personalized feedback, and peer workshops, this program is perfect for writers looking to take their craft to the next level. Whether you’re seeking guidance on technique or looking to navigate the submission process, Nathan Dragon’s class offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the art and business of writing. Ready to finally complete your collection? This workshop is your next step.
Writers Workshop: What inspired you to create a year-long program instead of a shorter format?
Nathan Dragon: I’ve taught a handful of shorter survey-based classes. This longer format is great because we have the opportunity to focus on a project for a full year. We’re all aiming to get something done.
WW: In Section 1 of the course, you mention craft lectures, readings, and exercises. Could you give us an example of a craft exercise participants can expect during this section and how it can help them in their short story writing process?
ND: I’ll provide students with generative exercises and exercises that mess with cohesion of a collection as a whole... i.e. how does on sequence a collection. These will all be catered to who is in the class and what we’re all interested in/trying to do.
WW: The guest speakers you mentioned will talk about how established writers launched their careers. Can you share some topics these guest authors might touch upon and how they can benefit aspiring writers?
ND: Guest authors will talk about the process of getting published for the first time, drafting, how to stick with a project, especially as it changes.
WW: Peer workshops in Section 2 sound like an essential part of the program. What is your style or method of leading workshops and facilitating feedback? How do you foster meaningful feedback and growth for the participants? What kind of feedback can writers expect to receive from you over the course of tweleve months?
ND: For workshops, I like a solid discussion, where all participants bring ideas in to parse, filter through, and thus get a handle on the feedback that best helps or guide the writer. We’ve all had workshops where we receive feedback that doesn’t address what we want and I want, in this workshop, to find a way to stay focused and honest. Writers will receive written feedback when their work is workshopped, and they will receive feedback during our one-on-one meeting opportunities.
WW: Section 3 focuses on professionalization and understanding the literary world. What are some common misconceptions or challenges that aspiring writers often face in the publishing industry, and how will this section help them navigate these issues?
ND: There are so many common misconceptions. But one challenge certainly is burnout or fatigue upon a streak of rejections. So I hope to outline some of what I’ve experienced in trying to publish and offer ways to handle these challenges.
WW: The opportunity for students to meet with agents, editors, and published authors is exciting. Can you give us a glimpse of the insights these professionals might share with the participants during their sessions?
ND: I think that agents, editors, and writers will offer really specific advice via trends they’ve observed in this whole process of writing-->publishing. I’ll be excited to hear what they have to say too.
WW: As a teacher and mentor, what are some key qualities or skills you hope participants will develop throughout the year-long workshop, aside from completing their manuscripts?
ND: Focus, confidence. A writing practice that makes sense to the writer. It isn’t a one size-fits-all.
WW: Writing a story collection can be an emotionally intense and sometimes challenging journey. How will you support students in dealing with potential creative blocks or self-doubt they may encounter during the process?
ND: It’s taken my 10 years to get mine published so I have all that experience, all the ups and downs.
WW: The program emphasizes building a sense of community and accountability among participants. How will you foster this supportive environment, especially considering that this is an online program with students from different time zones (and locations around the world)?
ND: I really want us all to get a feel for what we’re each concerned with so that we can tailor our discussions, our comments, so they can be as helpful as possible. It goes hand in hand with reading widely. There’s some kind of solidarity in that we’re all trying to complete a big project.
WW: What are some of the success stories or highlights from past workshops you've led that showcase the positive impact this kind of year-long generative workshop can have on aspiring writers?
ND: Students I’ve taught in the past, after taking my classes and workshops have been able to commit to projects, commit to changes in their projects change is good. There’s something beneficial in not know where were going for some time. When we lock in, there’s new momentum, and it feels great.
You can learn more about Nathan Dragon’s 12 Months To A Full Short Story Collection: A Generative Fiction Workshop and apply now!
Instructor Nathan Dragon is a writer whose work has appeared in NOON, The Baffler, Fence, Annulet, and New York Tyrant. He was a DiTrapano Resident, Fall 2023. His forthcoming short story collection, The Champ Is Here, will be available from C4G Books later this year. Along with Raegan Bird, he is the co-founder and editor of the publishing project Blue Arrangements.
