Learn From Experts, Enhance Skills With UMSL’s Write Stuff Certificate Program

ST. LOUIS - Aug. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- ST. LOUIS – The University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Arts & Sciences announces their Write Stuff Certificate Program for the upcoming fall and spring semesters. Courses and seminars begin September 10, 2013, and continue through June 2014. The Write Stuff program aims to improve participants’ writing skills as well as their knowledge of the business of writing. 

“UMSL’s Write Stuff program is a cost-effective way for busy writers to unleash their creativity while learning from insiders about the craft and business of writing,” said Donna Volkenannt, author and Write Stuff instructor. 

All seminars are taught by published authors, and core courses are taught by top students in UMSL’s distinguished Master of Fine Arts Creative Writing Program. 

To earn the Chancellor’s Certificate in Writing, participants must complete a total of 50 contact hours – two core courses and six seminars. However, participants may take any, and as many, courses and seminars as they wish. It is not required to work toward the certificate. 

“Nine out of 10 people will confess they have a book in them,” said Bobbi Smith, author and Write Stuff instructor. “Of that number, only a few will actually take the time to learn the writer’s craft and put in the time necessary to produce a marketable manuscript. These workshops are designed to help writers of all genres reach their publication goals. 

The Creative Nonfiction Workshop begins September 10, 2013, and continues on Tuesdays through October 29, 2013. The Fiction Writing Workshop begins September 11, 2013, and continues on Wednesdays through October 30, 2013. Both of these core courses will be offered again in January 2014. 

The seminars are offered as three-hour sessions, select Saturdays, September 14, 2013, through April 12, 2014. A full-day seminar is offered in June 2014. Seminar topics include business writing, grammar and punctuation, publishing, copyright, freelance writing, poetry writing, characters and plots, editing, writer’s block, and children’s books. 

“The Write Stuff is a terrific place for new writers in St. Louis to learn the art and craft and business of writing,” said John Dalton, author of Heaven Lake and The Inverted Forest. “If you live in the St. Louis metro area and have aspirations to write, The Write Stuff is the place to start.” 

For more information, including course descriptions, fees and schedule, please visit the website at  http://umsl.edu/~pcs/noncredit-offerings/write-stuff.html... or call (314) 516-6590.