Blog
Meet the Teaching Artist: Revision for Language Nerds with Mathangi Subramanian
by Writing Workshops Staff
A week ago
What if you could take your manuscript from “almost there” to extraordinary? Mathangi Subramanian, Ed.D., is here to show you how. A neurodiverse South Asian American author whose work has garnered accolades like the PEN/Faulkner longlist and a Lambda Literary Award finalist nod, Mathangi knows what it takes to elevate your writing. Her award-winning novels, middle-grade books, and picture books have captivated audiences worldwide and earned spots in prestigious collections like the Nobel Museum.
In her upcoming class, Polish Your Prose: Get Your Work Ready for Publication, Mathangi blends her literary prowess with her educator’s heart to guide writers through the art of revision. Designed with book-length projects in mind, this six-week journey dives deep into the craft of language, helping you tackle thorny issues like scene vs. exposition, syntax, and poetic devices. Whether you're struggling to bring your sensory details to life or ready to polish your prose for submission, this class promises practical techniques you can implement immediately.
But this isn't just another writing workshop. With Mathangi's unique approach, you’ll not only learn how to refine your manuscript but also gain the confidence to put yourself and your voice out there. Expect a dynamic, supportive environment where you can embrace your creativity, overcome self-doubt, and master the intricacies of revision—all while having fun.
Former students rave about her transformative teaching style:
- “What I learned in her class was invaluable—it helped my writing so much!” says Devi Laskar.
- “She helped me overcome the raging imposter syndrome,” shares Glori Medina.
- “I love knowing that I’m growing as a writer with every class I take from her,” adds Alcinda Cundiff.
Whether you’re a seasoned writer or taking your first steps into storytelling, Mathangi’s class offers a rare opportunity to transform your craft while connecting with a community of like-minded language lovers. Ready to nerd out about revision and unlock your manuscript’s full potential? Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the best.
Hi Mathangi, please introduce yourself to our audience.
I'm a neurodiverse, South Asian American writer with 20+ years of teaching experience. Some of the coolest honors I've gotten for my writing include being a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, winning the South Asia Book Award, and - my personal favorite - having a picture book I wrote inducted into the Nobel Museum in Stockholm by economics laureate Dr. Esther Duflo.
What made you want to teach this specific class? Is it something you are focusing on in your own writing practice? Have you noticed a need to focus on this element of craft?
I'm a language nerd! I love working with poetic devices and polishing my writing at the line level. Some of the most useful workshops I've taken have been poetry workshops, and I love thinking through ways to apply these skills to prose.
I've also noticed that students often finish a first draft and then wonder...what now? This class provides a variety of techniques you can apply to any draft to strengthen your work. It'll also make you a more independent writer who feels more confident about both revising your own work and deciding if the feedback you receive is something you should use or politely decline.
Give us a breakdown of how the course is going to go. What can the students expect? What is your favorite part about this class you've dreamed up?
Every class, we'll read a piece of prose that reflects the technique we'll be practicing in class. (I mostly teach work by living BIPOC, queer, neurodiverse, disabled, and otherwise marginalized writers. Students routinely tell me that my class helps them discover their newest literary crush!) After analyzing how a writer does what they do, we'll apply their technique to a section of our own work in need of revision. Then, students will be put in pairs or groups of three to discuss what happened during the exercise. No one ever has to read their work out loud! (I hate doing that, so I never make my students do it.) In these small groups, students often work through problems together and / or process how it felt to use these techniques. We end each class with a full group discussion, a reflection on whether or not we met the goals the class set, and an opportunity for folks to get feedback from me about what they were experiencing.
My favorite part of classes is the deep analysis we do of our mentor texts. I also really love the ending group discussion - I learn so much from my students!
What was your first literary crush?
I'm not sure who my first crushes are, but my two crushes now are Akwaeke Emezi and Myriam Gurba. Every time I read their books I think, "How did they do that?!" I just love how experimental and unapologetic they both are about their processes.
What are you currently reading?
I read way too many things at once! On my Kindle now I've got a cozy mystery, a romance, a book of essays, and a few memoirs I have to read for Kirkus, where I'm a reviewer. I usually also have a YA book and a nonfiction book in the pile. Lately, some of my favorite reads include the cozy mystery Dead Tired (Kat Ailes), the romance Just Playing House (Farah Heron), and the The Message, which is the latest essay collection by Ta-Nahesi Coates.
How do you choose what you're working on? When do you know it is the next thing you want to write all the way to THE END?
Real talk: I have ADHD, and have a hard time writing things to the end! I am right now really into writing shorter pieces, both for the dopamine hit and to fit my parenting schedule. I love personal essays and short stories, and I can usually tell if they're going to be good if I get hyperfocused and finish them in one setting.
Where do you find inspiration?
From books, visual art, and music. I also love nature, and get a lot of inspiration from my kid and all of her interests and wacky ideas.
What is the best piece of writing wisdom you've received that you can pass along to our readers? How did it impact your work? Why has this advice stuck with you?
This isn't necessarily explicitly received wisdom, but I love when authors are honest about their processes. I've started to realize that everyone struggles with writing, and that it's okay to go at your own pace and to take a break from writing projects like books for awhile. Particularly post pandemic, a lot of writers I know have - like me - received mental health diagnoses or have had to put some extra time in with deeply affected family members. In the end, I've realized that writing isn't the most important thing in my life, which has helped me enjoy it more and, as a consequence, write more.
What is your favorite book to recommend on the craft of writing? Why this book?
I have to choose just one?! I would say it's a tie between The Art of Time in Fiction by Joan Silber, Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin, and Elements of Fiction by Walter Mosley. All of these books are practical and to the point, and they use clear language to describe techniques many of us use instinctively without even really knowing what we're doing. Most importantly, they encourage writers to trust our intuitions and to lean into the joy of writing.
Bonus question: What’s your teaching vibe?
My vibe is high expectations with high support. I expect my students to do hard things, but I'm also by their side, cheering them on and supporting them when they need it!
You can sign up for Mathangi Subramanian’s upcoming class Polish Your Prose: Get Your Work Ready for Publication, and avoid the waitlist.
Instructor Mathangi Subramanian, Ed.D. is a neurodiverse South Asian American writer and educator whose novel, A People's History of Heaven (Algonquin Books), was long-listed for the PEN / Faulkner and a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award. Her middle-grade book, Dear Mrs. Naidu, won the South Asia Book Award, and her picture book, A Butterfly Smile, was inducted into the Nobel Museum by economics laureate Dr. Esther Duflo. Mathangi's work has been published by Lit Hub, McSweeney's, The Washington Post, Harper's Bazaar, and The San Francisco Chronicle, among others. A Fulbright Fellow and a trained educator, she holds a doctorate in education from Columbia Teachers College. She currently lives with her husband, kid, and a couple of gerbils who are surprisingly supportive of her creative life.
