Revision: Turning Writing into Art Using Craft Analyses & the Reverse Outline with Naseem Jamnia

This class meets for two sessions: November 13 and 25,  4:00 - 6:30 PM Pacific

All writing is in the revision, but many writers have no idea where to start.  This workshop on revision techniques shows concrete examples of approaching revision, how it improves one's craft, and how writers can—and should—plan revisions. Over two sessions, you'll learn craft analysis and application to your own work, as well as revision techniques. 

Using examples from speculative fiction you love, we'll explore:

• How to read a text analytically for craft by reading not as a writer but as a scientist, and apply those lessons to your own work. 
• The annotated reverse outline
• Creating a multi-round revision plan for your project.

Attendees will leave with:

• An understanding of craft analysis that actually helps you apply it to your own work
• The ability to create an annotated reverse outline
• A way to roadmap your revisions into rounds
• Revision exercises

Note:
While this workshop is geared toward long-form prose (e.g., novels and novellas), it is also applicable to shorter projects.Advance Preparation: Attendees are encouraged to bring with them a book or story that makes them go, "I want to write like that." 
 

Participation Requirements: Though these sessions are generative spaces, attendees will be asked to participate via chat, voice, and/or video.

About the Instructor: 

Judith A. Markowitz Award-winning author Naseem Jamnia writes speculative fiction for adults, teens, and kids. Their debut adult fantasy novella The Bruising of Qilwa (Tachyon 2022) was a finalist for the IAFA Crawford, Locus, and World Fantasy awards. Kirkus called their debut middle grade horror The Glade (Aladdin 2025) "a scary good time that expands the middle-grade horror canon." Naseem is a community creative writing educator and a pro-library activist with Authors Against Book Bans and Freedom to Read Nevada. A Persian-Chicagoan and former neuroscientist, they currently live outside of Reno, NV, with their geologist spouse and four furred creatures. Learn more and follow their newsletter at www.naseemwrites.com

This event will be held in Zoom. By registering for this class, you agree to follow the Clarion West Code of Conduct and Zoom policies. 

Limited Free Seating: 

We offer a percentage of seats in every class to People of the Global Majority (Asian, Black, African, Latina/o/x, Middle Eastern, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, and/or have been racialized as 'ethnic minorities') for free, regardless of financial need. 

Eligible folks should complete this form to enter the lottery for free seats.  If a seat is available, we will email you 7-10 days before the class begins. For more information, see our equity and inclusion policies.

Sliding Scale Pricing:

The Supporting Tuition rate is shown for each class or workshop for folks who can pay it. Paying the Supporting Tuition rate enables us to continue to pay our staff and instructors equitably, as well as support access to classes for others who may be in a different situation. 

The Helping Hands rate is available to folks under more limited economic circumstances, no matter your background.

For more information, see our financial aid policies.

Our Refund Policy:

Clarion West will refund all class fees if the request is made 30 days before the class date. Refund requests made within 30 days of the class will be honored if we can fill the seat.

Any exceptions are subject to approval by our workshop staff.