Introduction to Writing Short Stories – 1-on-1 Workshops
Instructor: Tom McKay | Registration: $10 | On your schedule

Under the sponsorship of the Midwest Writing Center, Hampton author Tom McKay is offering a program on writing short stories. The program is conducted as a one-on-one experience over the telephone.  No special equipment or technology is needed.

The program examines setting, characters, and plot as three main elements of a story and addresses description, action, and dialogue as three tools in telling a story. The one-hour session will include instruction and discussion designed to refine writing skills.  Participants in the contactless program will receive handouts in advance via regular mail or email.

The program is appropriate for beginning writers and more experienced writers who wish to compare perspectives.

About the Instructor

Tom McKay has had numerous stories published in journals and magazines including the Wapsipinicon Almanac, Vermont Ink, Downstate Story, Hyper Text Literary Magazine, Karawane, and the Out Loud Anthology series of the Midwest Writing Center. His story, “Paper or Plastic,” recently appeared in So It Goes, the literary journal of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library. He has attended numerous workshops about writing short stories at the David R. Collins Writer’s Conference and the Northwestern University Summer Writer’s Conference. His collection of flash fiction, Junk to Think About: Short and Shorter Stories was published in 2018.

Tom McKay is an experienced presenter. While working for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, he presented more than 150 workshops on topics such as planning and preparing historical exhibits, caring for historical collections, and fund raising. He has also conducted workshops for the Smithsonian Institution, and numerous state historical societies and museum associations throughout the country. Prior to the pandemic he presented “Introduction to Writing Short Stories” as a workshop in libraries in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

Scheduling

To schedule a free “Introduction to Writing Short Stories” meeting, please make a donation through PayPal using the button below. Then, email Sarah Elgatian at sarah.elgatian@mwcqc.org, and she will set up contact between you and Tom McKay. Meetings will be available throughout the fall of 2020.