Writing Workshops

How She Wrote: Generative Exercises Inspired by Shirley Jackson with Melissa Lozada-Oliva

$175

2 Sessions

In stock

Saturday & Sunday 1:00 pm EDT - 4:00 pm EDT August 1 to August 2, 2026

The Center for Fiction

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“I can’t help it when people are frightened; I always want to frighten them more.” –We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Shirley Jackson, 1962)

There is nobody like Shirley Jackson. With addictive plots, a fascination with the occult, and dialogue that is still witty in this century, Shirley Jackson’s work is eternal. Her stories showcase the terror of domestic life and the spine-prickling anxiety of interacting with strangers. By the time of her passing in 1965, she had written over 200 short stories, six novels, and two memoirs. So how did she do it?

In this two-day weekend intensive workshop, we will examine Shirley Jackson’s style, voice, obsessions, and her bond with darkness. Students will arrive in class having read two of her novels and several short stories. Prompts will be provided, and students will have the opportunity to write and share.

Course Outline:

Day 1
- Lecture: Who was Shirley Jackson? An examination of her life and writing style.
- Discussion: The Haunting of Hill House, The Sundial
- Writing exercise
Day 2
- Lecture: Shirley Jackson and the occult
- Discussion: The Adventures of James Harris and “The Man in the Woods”
- Writing exercise

Level: Introductory

This course is held in person at The Center for Fiction.

We offer a limited number of need-based scholarships for our Reading Groups and Writing Workshops, covering 50% of tuition. Applicants selected for scholarships will be notified one week prior to the first meeting. To apply for a scholarship, please fill out this form.

Additional Programming: Explore more of Shirley Jackson’s work in our single-session reading group, In Short: Shirley Jackson’s “The Summer People” with Lesley Finn, on July 14th.

Led by

Melissa Lozada-Oliva

Melissa Lozada-Oliva

Melissa Lozada-Oliva is the author of Dreaming of You, Candelaria, and Beyond All Reasonable Doubt, Jesus is Alive!. Candelaria was named the best books of 2023 by Vogue and USA Today. Her short-story collection Beyond All Reasonable Doubt, Jesus is Alive! is a finalist for a Lambda award in bisexual fiction. She teaches creative writing at The Center for Fiction, Mccormack Writing Center, and Columbia University.

About this series

Writing Workshops

We strive to make our classes the most inviting and rewarding available, offering an intimate environment to study with award-winning, world-class writers. Each class is specially designed by the instructor, so whether you’re a fledgling writer or an MFA graduate polishing your novel, you’ll find a perfect fit here.

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