Courses

SEASON OF THE SERPENT

This intensive, online workshop explores the theme of the Season of the Serpent in a series of modules designed to prompt story generation over the course of TWELVE (12) weeks. Participants will explore fairy tales, folk tales, and world myths with prompts linked to a cultural or scientific concept to inspire your writing: anything from fatal fashion to mitochrondial DNA.

Over the course of the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to write a total of FIVE (5) short stories, poetry, and/or hybrid works based on each module’s readings and prompts.  For the purposes of this class, the maximum length for material to be critiqued each week is 3,000 words. One of these pieces can be expanded to 5,000 words as a portfolio selection.

This intense practicum has been created with the intention of fostering a supportive community for discussion and exploration of your craft. This workshop is designed and administered as a safe place to examine the natural world through the lens of the fantastic in folklore, fairy tales, and myth. Although this course has been created primarily for writers working at an intermediate level, it’s open to anyone looking to develop their craft. All genres are welcome.

This course will be held in 2026 from the first full week of April through the last full week of June. There are only 25 seats available. Early registration is suggested. The course can be paid for with an installment plan upon request.

Module materials include introductory information, select excerpts, resource links, popular re-tellings, quotes & trivia, writing prompts, discussion questions, and more.

A dedicated, private forum will be set aside to encourage community development, discussion, and further examination of related topics. Participants are expected to have access to a computer with Internet connections and a webcam. (Headphones are suggested.) Other requirements include the ability to access Google Docs (a Gmail account is needed for access) and basic programs including Microsoft Word and Adobe Reader. Stories are expected to follow William Shunn’s manuscript format (http://www.shunn.net/format/story.html).

In addition, participants will have access to scheduled weekly write-ins ($30 value). At the end of the course, participants can schedule a one-hour, complimentary consultation & coaching session ($50 value).

Course Schedule

SECTION I: MONDAYS 9-11:30 am (Pacific); 10 am-12:30 pm (Mountain); 11 am-1:30 pm (Central); noon-2:30 pm (Eastern); 5-7:30 pm (Greenwich Mean Time)

SECTION II: TUESDAYS 4:30-7 pm (Pacific), 5:30-8 pm (Mountain), 6:30-9 pm (Central), 7:30-10 pm (Eastern); Fridays in Australia and New Zealand from 11:30 am-2 pm (Australian Eastern) and 1:30-4 pm (New Zealand)

SECTION III: THURSDAYS 4:30-7 pm (Pacific), 5:30-8 pm (Mountain), 6:30-9 pm (Central), 7:30-10 pm (Eastern); Fridays in Australia and New Zealand from 11:30 am-2 pm (Australian Eastern) and 1:30-4 pm (New Zealand)

SECTION IV: SATURDAYS 7:30-10 am (Pacific); 8:30-11 am (Mountain); 9:30 am-noon (Central); 10:30 am-1 pm (Eastern); 3:30-6 pm (Greenwich Mean Time)

Note: Daylight Savings Time begins on March 8 in the United States in Canada. Daylight Savings Time and March 29 in Europe (GMT). On the flips side, Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, April 5 in Australia and New Zealand. For conversion to other times or to make adjustments due to Daylight Savings Time, check https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/.

Registration

The fee for this course is $700 USD. There is a 10% discount for returning students. There is a $150 USD nonrefundable deposit to save your seat. The balance must be paid no later than March 1, 2026. (Payment plans available.) Materials for the course will be available on March 1, 2026. To save your seat or for general inquiries, send an email to cmariebissett@gmail.com.

Scholarships

There is currently one FULL scholarship available for this course. To apply, please fill out this form by January 1, 2026.