In this two-hour webinar, led by USA Today best-selling author Tiffany Reisz, you will learn tips, tools, and techniques for revising and self-editing your fiction in preparation for querying, submission, traditional or self-publication. For intermediate levels. This class is offered as a pre-recorded webinar. Please contact INFO@CarnegieCenterLex.org after registering ...
Can you write 50,000 words toward a novel in one month? Yes, you can! This nine-time National Novel Writing Month winner will share with you how it’s done while living a busy life. The seminar includes strategies for meeting your word count, writing a quick first draft, and keeping track ...
Are you ready to set off on a new writing journey in the new year? Or do you feel lost as a writer and need to reprogram your writing GPS? Let us help you on your way to your writing destination. Learn how to lay out a road map, overcome ...
2–5 YEAR-OLDS & THEIR GROWN-UPS: Join us for storytime, parent-assisted activities, snacks, and free books designed to encourage early excitement for reading through hands-on activities for parent and child. This laid-back atmosphere is friendly to busy toddlers and preschoolers and is a great first introduction to a storytime setting. A ...
This workshop is designed to allow you to build a vision board that is a reflection of your vision and goals as a writer for 2022. You will receive a checklist of tips on how to set your writing goals and unique ways on how to hold yourself accountable in ...
The plot is the most basic element of a novel, and yet learning to plot is often the hardest challenge of the fiction writer. What is a plot? Are there different types? Do I need to outline? How do I learn how to plot? In this seminar, we’ll answer all ...
Setting in a novel isn’t simply the background to your story. It’s another character! Learn why the right setting can make or break your novel, how to choose the best setting for your story, how to research that setting without leaving your house, and how to develop your setting with ...
Writing a grant (or learning where to find one) can be daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. Learn the basics about grant research, how to write a grant, what to include in your proposal and project budgets, the do’s and don’ts of grantwriting, and more! This 90-minute class is ...
Learn the process for seeking a literary agent, from beginning to end: where to find agents, the formula for writing a query letter, what may be required in your submission package, how to keep track of query submissions, and the proper etiquette for interacting with agents. Though your novel must ...
This practice offers writers the opportunity to engage in a creative and communicative loop without judgment. We write from a variety of prompts designed to get writers to loosen their inner censor and simply get words on the page. After each timed session, writers read aloud their new work to ...
GRADES K–2: The class is structured to provide your child with strategies, skills, and concepts that are the building blocks for higher-level and more complex math through a hands-on, active, and engaging approach. Led by Martha Crumbie, who has her master’s degree in K–12 special education and has over 25 ...
This course will focus on developing oral communication skills through thoughtful conversations and enlightening debates. Students will choose which topics they wish to discuss in each class, such as giving recommendations on what to do in Lexington, talking about a past trip, or commenting on a particular current event. Dr ...
This one-hour, every-other-week class will survey fiction works by women-identifying writers in Kentucky and central Appalachia. Participants will read work from Crystal Wilkinson, Gayl Jones, Bobbie Ann Mason, and others, exploring, through readings, in-class discussion, and writing prompts, the ways intersecting identities shape the women in our own writing. Hannah ...
GRADES K–2: This is a fun, hands-on, and interactive class. Students will play games and learn strategies that will help with their reading skills including vocabulary development, alphabet knowledge, letter-sound correlation, concepts of print, listening comprehension, and comprehension skills that make for good reading. Led by Martha Crumbie, who has ...
An adequate understanding of the written and spoken French word is required. This course is challenging and accessible. Required texts: Grammaire Progressive du Français (Perfectionnement), 4th ed. by Maïa Grégoire and Alina Kostucki. Optional text: Grammaire Progressive du Français-Perfectionnement-Corrigés by Maïa Grégoire. Please purchase texts on your own. Erica House ...
We will review and build from previous levels and apply through creative mediums. We will gain more access to vocabulary, verbs, and grammar. A basic knowledge of the passé composé and imparfait is required. Required text: Grammaire Progressive du Français (Intermédiare), 4th ed. by Maïa Grégoire and Odile Thiévenaz and ...
We will continue to add verbs, vocabulary, and expressions to our repertoire. We will practice pronunciation and reading comprehension by reading aloud. Required text: Easy French Step-by-Step by Myrna Bell Rochester, Ph.D. Please purchase on your own. Erica House has been teaching French to children and adults for more than ...
Join an imaginative, diverse group of genre writers looking to improve and expand their abilities in these forms of fiction. This is a chance to learn sci-fi and fantasy writing tips, get feedback from others, and gain confidence as you write in these genres. Horror is also welcome. For all ...
Hosted by Claudia Love Mair, Carnegie’s Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative (KBWC) Coordinator, Black & Lit Book Club features new books by Black Kentucky writers. This reading group is open to anyone wanting to attend, not only KBWC members. When possible, we will meet with the author. The KBWC Black & ...
GRADES 3-5: In this fun, hands-on class, we’ll work on reading strategies and comprehension techniques. Students will play games that help to boost their reading skills and engage in activities that demonstrate their reading comprehension. Led by Martha Crumbie, who has her master’s degree in K–12 special education and has ...
We now have gained enough tools from the previous levels to delve more easily into reading texts and discussing through conversation. We will revisit certain grammar sections and read aloud from a well-known and fun book that withstands the centuries. Required text: Grammaire Progressive du Français (Intermédiare), 4th ed. by ...
Join a lively, diverse group of people exploring nonfiction writing, including personal essays, columns, magazine pieces, and autobiography. This is a chance to share your work in progress, receive and offer feedback, and gain confidence in an affirming atmosphere. For all levels. Neil Chethik is the author of FatherLoss: How Sons ...
Facing down yet another frozen pandemic season can be a scary thought. With this course, we will explore poems written in fear but focus on work and poets that spark heat, fire, and the burn of flat-out anger to get us through a lonesome winter. We will explore poets based ...
GRADES 3–5: Work and play together! This class uses games and cooperative activities to introduce and reinforce math skills such as addition, subtraction, logic, multiplication, division, fractions, and more. Elise Mandel holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and she teaches classes and works with ...
Keep your brain sharp! In this fun, virtual class we will do word games, number games, logic puzzles, and all kinds of challenges to keep your brain moving. Elise Mandel holds a master’s degree in education from UMass Amherst, and she teaches classes and works with private students in many ...
We will continue to add vocabulary, verbs, and verb tenses. Students will apply skills learned in Spanish Level 1 and will engage in more active conversation, expressions, and general scenarios related to work, travel, business, health, and others. Required text: Spanish Now! Level 1: with Online Audio (Barron's Foreign Language ...
This very introductory-level class is designed for the ultra beginner. We will introduce salutations, pronouns, vocabulary, some prepositions, and some verb conjugations. We will work on pronunciation, personal interests, and question-asking. Expect role-playing and repetition. By the end of the season, you will be able to present yourself to the ...
GRADES 2–5: Keep your brain sharp! In this fun class, we will do word games, number games, logic puzzles, and all kinds of challenges to keep your brain moving! Elise Mandel holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and she teaches classes and works with ...
This is an opportunity for fiction writers of all genres and levels of experience. Through hands-on writing exercises and discussion of contemporary fiction, we will examine such nuts-and-bolts elements as voice, point of view, mood, and plot. For all levels. Sarah Combs is the author of the YA novels Breakfast Served ...
Would you like to learn how to write fiction? This interactive six-week skill-building workshop is ideal for newer writers or those new to fiction. Each week, we’ll explore, discuss, and do in-class practice exercises for one area of focus: plot & point of view, setting & theme, characterization, action, description, ...
Students will learn basic Spanish grammar, vocabulary, common expressions, greetings, survival phrases, and some discussion of cultural aspects in Spanish-speaking countries. Open to beginners and students who would like to refresh their knowledge of basic Spanish. The goal is to complete the first 5 units from the textbook during class ...
If you’ve reached that golden age, join this group, which features cross-genre writing prompts; feedback for family stories, memoirs, poems, and fiction; tips for reading and publishing your work; and lively conversation and fellowship. For all levels. Sarah Combs is the author of the YA novels Breakfast Served Anytime and The ...
3–5 YEAR-OLDS & THEIR GROWN-UPS: Join us for storytime, parent-assisted activities, snacks, and free books designed to encourage early excitement for reading through hands-on activities for parent and child. This laid-back atmosphere is friendly to busy toddlers and preschoolers and is a great first introduction to a storytime setting. A ...
Who are your characters? How well do you know them? What do they care about? And why will readers care about them? Join us for this class on one of the most important building blocks in writing. What makes a character come alive on the page? Let’s find out. For all ...
Writer George Saunders says, “When you read a short story, you come out of it a little more aware and a little more in love with the world around you.” This short story workshop will nurture the artistic impulses of writers who want to craft rich and meaningful short stories ...
GRADES K–3: This weekly class will help English language learners develop necessary speaking, reading, and writing skills through a variety of hands-on, collaborative activities. Claire Johnson holds two bachelor’s degrees in English and journalism from the University of Kentucky, is TEFL and TESOL certified, and has taught ESL to children ...
There’s no better way to connect us universally than to divulge fearlessly our individuality. Memoir is the art of capturing our memories, vividly and passionately, molding them into pieces of literature, pieces of art. We’ll study masters of memoir over the centuries and work to craft your own stories. For all ...
GRADES 6–8: As you grow up, discovering what you really care about unlocks your ability to change the world. Through guided discussion and fun exercises, we will work to develop self-awareness, drive, and our own unique leadership ability. We’ll use these tools to figure out what you really care about ...
Join us each session for generative in-class exercises and share your work in a supportive environment. We will discuss writing concepts in an open format to build a strong foundation for your project. Perfect for beginners, and open to all genres and levels. This class is for emerging writers under ...
Have you ever read a piece in a magazine or newspaper that you just can’t put down? How do writers for magazines and newspapers pull readers in? We’ll teach you the secrets of how to craft a piece that really grabs your readers and takes them on a journey. From ...
GRADES 4–5: Hone your writing skills in a creative, hands-on environment! Together, we’ll explore how writing can be fun as we play writing games and write stories, poems, and more. This class will be online, but may also have outdoor meetings at the Carnegie Center, dependent upon community health guidelines ...
GRADES 5–7: From Harry Potter to The BFG, from Percy Jackson to The Martian Chronicles… We will read excerpts from various fantasy and science fiction books and graphic novels to learn how to create amazing worlds and heroic characters. We will discuss how these stories fit the model of Joseph ...
How many unfinished novels do you have sitting on your computer? Too many! Based on Walter Mosley’s This Year You Write Your Novel, this course is designed to help you finish that draft, providing successful strategies and hacks for dealing with writer’s block. We’ll use the book as a guide ...
GRADES 6–9: Join us for an adventure in learning! This class uses the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons to show kids how fun critical thinking, teamwork, and math can be. Through cooperative storytelling, kids learn to work together to solve problems with the tools provided. Math topics covered range ...
This class is a focused review of specific skills needed to ace the science, English, and reading sections of the ACT. Required text: The Official ACT Prep Guide 2021-2022 (Publisher: WILEY). Please purchase on your own; you must have the book at the first class meeting. Rajiv Khanna has extensive ...
This seminar introduces the children’s market subgenres and provides pointers for targeting your story. For beginning levels. Led by Marcia Thornton Jones, an award-winning author who has published more than 130 books for children with sales totaling more than 43 million copies worldwide ...
Do you want to effectively express your opinions in social media and blog posts, op-ed columns, and letters to the editor of your local newspaper? Learn how to write persuasive, engaging, fact-based commentary and get it published. For all levels. Led by Tom Eblen, an award-winning columnist and former managing ...
Free English language classes are offered one night a week for adult ESL learners. The classes are small and the teachers are friendly. All language levels are welcome. Come join us! Offered in partnership with the University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences and College of Education ...
This class is a focused review of specific skills needed to ace the math section of the ACT. Required text: The Official ACT Prep Guide 2021-2022 (Publisher: WILEY). Please purchase on your own; you must have the book at the first class meeting. Rajiv Khanna has extensive experience teaching math ...
In this three-part class led by the founding director of The WhoWeLost Project, participants will craft brief memorial stories about someone they’ve lost to COVID-19, or due to other causes within the general time frame of the pandemic. Together, we will focus on how to capture and document the details ...
GRADES 3–8: Have you ever wondered how video games are made? Want to take your skills to the next level? Go behind the screen with Scratch 3.0. Join us virtually to learn all the basics you need to make your first arcade game or upgrade your coding proficiency. You will ...
You need to know the difference between a colon and a colonoscopy if you are submitting your manuscript for publication. Spend a couple of hours refreshing your grammatical skills and learn preferred formatting for submissions in this two-hour, audience participation class. Each registrant will receive a “grammar cheat sheet.” For ...
GRADES 1–5: ¡Hola! Join us for this fun, hands-on workshop for kids. You’ll learn the basics of the Spanish language through fun games, crafts, songs, activities, and more. Te esperamos! Ms. Creel is a language enthusiast and is passionate about successfully delivering quality Spanish instruction for children. Originally from Honduras, ...
Join us for a discussion of contemporary and classic novels as well as nonfiction, chosen by the group. This group has been meeting since 1993 and always welcomes new members! No registration is required. For current selections, contact Alan at church11@webtv.net or 859-252-7041. Alan Church, Ph.D. is a retired clinical ...
This is an informal discussion group focusing on literature by and about women. Be prepared to buy or check out from the library the works selected. Contact the Carnegie Center for the updated book list. Jan Isenhour, former Executive Director of the Carnegie Center, has facilitated the Brown Bag group ...
Newsletters are the new blogs. They can be about anything you want, no matter how specific (over the last year, writers have started newsletters about topics ranging from tinned fish to life in Appalachia). But how do you transition your newsletter from passion project to profit? Instructor Ashlie Stevens, who ...
Bring a pencil and paper, and we’ll try some exercises to get the words flowing: a simple algorithm to generate poetic metaphors and similes, writing from images, and a guided meditation for writers. Two of the exercises are recyclable, meaning you can add them to your writing practice and use ...
Characters and conflict make a story. If your characters are memorable, readers will follow their journey (and your book) to the end. We will work through steps for creating a cast of characters that ring true: the protagonist, antagonist, and all of the supporting cast. Which are larger-than-life? Which fill ...
NEWBORNS TO 3-YEAR-OLDS & THEIR GROWN-UPS: (Formerly Click, Clack, Moo: Fun with Sounds) It’s never too early to have fun with books and sounds. This weekly virtual newsletter and class will help you introduce your little one to oral language skills. Through engaging book-themed activities, we will encourage children to ...
GRADES 1–5: Give your child the advantage of learning French at an early age. Besides enhancing memory and developing better problem-solving and critical thinking skills, learning a foreign language can be FUN! We will learn French through songs, games, stories, and more. À bientôt! Erica House has lived in various ...
Learn to express your sexuality through words, and discover the power of erotica for self-empowerment, self-expression, and relationship building with our partners. This class will use examples from modern and classic erotic literature, as well as fun writing exercises, to overcome the challenges of this form of expression. This is ...
Break through writing obstacles during this weekend writing retreat designed to provide motivation and promote writing flow. Each day of this retreat will include freewriting exercises, goal-setting, independent writing time, craft discussions, and problem-solving sessions to help break through blocks. The retreat will culminate with a share/response session featuring a ...
Viktor Frankl, who survived Auschwitz to write his famous book, Man’s Search for Meaning, offers a way to achieve purpose and meaning. How can you achieve purpose through writing? Further, how can you write about your purpose in a way that creates deep meaning in your life? Barry Lopez said ...
You’ve done the hard part, now reap the benefits! Join Karen Leet as she walks you through the different ways to get your work published. From identifying potential markets to writing query letters and keeping track of submissions, learn effective strategies for following through on the next steps of your ...
You don’t have to be an artist to write picture books! This workshop focuses on structuring, writing, and formatting your idea into a book perfect for the picture book market. For all levels. Marcia Thornton Jones is an award-winning author who has published more than 130 books for children with ...
GRADES 6–8: Come hone your creative writing skills and practice getting the stories in your mind down to the page. We’ll discuss some storytelling basics and spend time writing in each class, trying on different writing styles to find your best fit. Come ready to read, write, and explore! Manya ...
Writing is an art and something that most authors love—the words on the paper, the rhyme, and the imagery. But after the words are on the paper, how will we profit from the books that we write? Being a published author, you have entered the Book Business. Find out what ...
GRADES 2–3: Inspire your writing skills in a creative, hands-on environment! Together, we’ll explore how writing can be fun as we play writing games and write stories, poems, and more. Manya Tiwari is a junior at SCAPA studying literary arts. She is also a former student of Carole Johnston, who ...
Have you always wanted to make your writing more diverse, but were afraid of getting it wrong? Writing Diversity Right is the single session, generative workshop that will help you identify colorblindness, otherness, and stereotypes in your work, in a safe, non-judgmental environment. For all levels. Claudia Love Mair is a ...
Learn insider secrets on how to become a successful freelance proofreader working from home, even without previous training or experience. Students will learn how to find possible gigs proofreading everything from blog articles to novels. Discover the ins and outs of networking and marketing, both online and in-person. Potential sources ...
The art and science of proofreading is more than just running spell check, catching typos, and fixing grammar and punctuation errors. A proofreader’s main responsibility is to ensure the written work reviewed is 100 percent correct; this includes looking for consistency in style, fact-checking, and at times checking against a ...
Learn just enough German to navigate the country and culture. Learn everything you need to travel to Germany, practice having short conversations, and get a jumpstart on reading and writing. This is the perfect place to begin for anyone seeking casual knowledge or planning to advance further in the study ...
In need of feedback on your poetry? Looking to engage, or reengage, with a serious, welcoming, uplifting writing community? Join poet Sean L. Corbin as he explores the best ways to interact with the work of other poets, and offers a platform for you to send your ideas, your images, ...
3–5 YEAR-OLDS & THEIR GROWN-UPS: Join us for storytime, parent-assisted activities, snacks, and free books designed to encourage early excitement for reading through hands-on activities for parent and child. This laid-back atmosphere is friendly to busy toddlers and preschoolers and is a great first introduction to a storytime setting. A ...
Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, setting is vital to story. Rather than a static playing board on which your characters act, how your characters interact with the world they’re in brings stories to life. Using various exercises, we’ll allow your world to take on a life of its own, ...
Style sheets are a widely used tool for collaboration in the publishing process. Learn how style sheets are created and applied in a traditional publishing workflow, and why a self-publishing author might want to create their own. You’ll leave confident that you understand how this tool can improve your work ...
2 YEAR-OLDS & THEIR GROWN-UPS: Join us for storytime, parent-assisted activities, snacks, and free books designed to encourage early excitement for reading through hands-on activities for parent and child. This laid-back atmosphere is friendly to busy toddlers and preschoolers and is a great first introduction to a storytime setting. A ...
Are you witty, funny, or insightful? Do you have opinions and experiences that would make a great contribution to one of your favorite magazines? Or would you like to write down your thoughts for loved ones or friends? Personal essays are a combination of memoir, opinion, experience, and creativity. How ...
Get an overview of the work of an editor: the different kinds of editing; resources to be aware of; communicating with your writer; ways to approach a text; proofreading tips; and myths and traps to avoid. Each class will incorporate real-time practical exercises. For all levels. Brian Throckmorton, research editor ...
Get started on the way to communicating in Italian and appreciating Italian culture. In this course in conversational Italian, you’ll learn fundamentals of the language through exercises, poems, songs, and practice. Levels 1 & 2 of Just Enough Italian can be taken at a discounted rate. Click here to register ...
This class will consider the variety of possible structures for your memoir. Our goal will be to match content with form to discover the most compelling way to tell your story. We will analyze some successful memoirs and use writing exercises to experiment with shaping or re-shaping your work-in-progress. Discovering ...
Join Sylvia Lovely for a three-part seminar series on how to write the stories of your life. From cave wall hieroglyphics to the great literary works, we are hard-wired to describe and understand our lives and the times in which we live through stories. Some say, “I do not have ...
You are not alone—come write with a supportive community to release the stress of current and past events. This class will assist you with letting go of the stress of 2020 and 2021. It is an opportunity for you to heal from the loss and hardship caused by the pandemic, ...
Great books make great films! Discover the joy and the challenges of adapting a novel into a script for the movies or a Limited Television series. This workshop will offer the basics of writing a screenplay and explore how to bring unforgettable characters and sizzling plots to the screen. Begin ...
Sometimes one poem isn’t enough to fully explore the poet’s ideas and intentions. In this course, participants will examine the multitude of ways in which separate poems can be connected to create an organic whole, from repeated images and phrases, to different points of view, to thematic similarities. Work from ...
GRADES K–3: Have fun with friends making a variety of hand-folded books using colorful paper and embellishments. Students will learn simple accordion and pamphlet folds with pockets, as well as share creative ideas for using their books to start the creative writing process. Students are encouraged to bring from home ...
Hosted by Claudia Love Mair, Carnegie’s Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative (KBWC) Coordinator, Black & Lit Book Club features new books by Black Kentucky writers. This reading group is open to anyone wanting to attend, not only KBWC members. When possible, we will meet with the author. The KBWC Black & ...
At its essence, the art of metaphor is about the imagination and skill to talk about something by talking about or appearing to talk about something else. For this reason, it is one of the most important tools in the writer’s toolbox. In this workshop, we will explore the world ...
Ecstatic poetry offers both poets and readers alike a means to access their essence. In this workshop, Brandon Thompson will lead participants on a journey deeper into the mystical realm of the ecstatic through essence-driven poetry writing. Brandon Thompson has taught ecstatic poetry for over a decade. He is a ...
GRADES 6–8: Interested in creating an art journal but not sure where to start? In this class, we’ll make our own art journals using a variety of papers, found materials, and embellishments. Get ready to be inspired with a handmade journal to start your creative writing process. Students are encouraged ...
3–5 YEAR-OLDS & THEIR GROWN-UPS: Join us for storytime, parent-assisted activities, snacks, and free books designed to encourage early excitement for reading through hands-on activities for parent and child. This laid-back atmosphere is friendly to busy toddlers and preschoolers and is a great first introduction to a storytime setting. A ...
2 YEAR-OLDS & THEIR GROWN-UPS: Join us for storytime, parent-assisted activities, snacks, and free books designed to encourage early excitement for reading through hands-on activities for parent and child. This laid-back atmosphere is friendly to busy toddlers and preschoolers and is a great first introduction to a storytime setting. A ...
Turn your side gig into a full-time hustle. Have you ever wanted to work as a freelance writer? As more and more people are working to break into the freelance writing market, we’ve got the real 4-1-1 on what it takes to have a successful career as a freelance writer ...
Think about a favorite book or movie. Is there a line of dialogue everyone can quote? Dialogue is more than the exchange of information. It reveals something about the story or about the character who spoke. A few words of dialogue can convey background, emotion, age, class, and more. At ...
You may think that one of the benefits of being a writer is that you can shut yourself away from the world, but if the recent pandemic and its plethora of Zoom calls have taught us anything, it’s that public speaking is a skill any writer should have. Whether it’s ...
Learn just enough German to navigate the country and culture. Learn everything you need to travel to Germany, practice having short conversations, and get a jumpstart on reading and writing. This is the perfect place to begin for anyone seeking casual knowledge or planning to advance further in the study ...
This once-a-month workshop provides writers options for structuring their novels, developing pivotal plot scenes, writing prompts designed to help writers make forward progress, and group mentoring/brainstorming to help break through obstacles. For intermediate/advanced levels. Led by Marcia Thornton Jones, an award-winning author who has published more than 130 books for children ...
Get started on the way to communicating in Italian and appreciating Italian culture. In this course in conversational Italian, you’ll learn fundamentals of the language through exercises, poems, songs, and practice. Levels 1 & 2 of Just Enough Italian can be taken at a discounted rate. Click here to register ...
