Finding Your Readers in the 21st Century
May 21st-23rd, Richard Hugo House, Seattle
Both of the following workshops I’m teaching will be on Saturday, May 22nd; exact times to be announced soon

Publishing on the Web with Ray Pompon & Rebecca Agiewich
Rebecca Agiewich blogged about a painful break-up with her then-boyfriend, and parlayed it into a book deal. Ray Pompon started out writing a novel—and ended up with a successful webcomic. They’ll discuss the steps they took along the way.

Set Up a Blog in 5 Minutes or Less with Rebecca Agiewich
You’ll learn the nuts and bolts of starting a blog, as well as tips for making it shine. By the time class is over, you’ll have the knowledge you need to get your own blog up and running in five minutes or less.

Recent Past Appearances

Hot Chicks of 19th and 20th-Century American Lit (reading class)
Meets: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 – Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 7pm – 9pm
Richard Hugo House
Using Elaine Showalter’’s book: “A Jury of Her Peers: American Women Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie Proulx,” as a guide, we’ll immerse ourselve in the work of great American women writers from the 19th and 20th centuries, including Eudora Welty, Willa Cather, Flannery O’Connor, Carson McCullers and more. Through both criticism and fiction, we’ll explore individual writers in depth, while also examining their relationship to each other and the literary world of their day. Youll come away with a deeper understanding of the techniques and themes of these writers and a broader view of how they shaped modern American lit. Required text: “A Jury of Her Peers: American Women Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie Proulx,” by Elaine Showalter.
General: $230.00
Members: $207.00

Blogging Basics
Saturday, March 20, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m
Editorial Freelancer’s Association
Seattle Public Library, 1000 4th Ave, Level 4 – PACCAR Room 6
NEW workshop from the instructor of EFA’s popular online blogging class!
Is your creative spark threatening to go out? Is your freelance business slow? A blog can help you revive them both. Blogging is a free, fun way to get your name out there to a potential audience of millions, and in this 4-hour class you’ll learn everything you need to know to start your own blog in 5 minutes or less. First we’ll look at the “big picture” of blogging, including how it fits into the context of other social networking media like Facebook and Twitter. Then we’ll proceed to the nuts and bolts of how to set one up, how to promote it, and yes — even how to make a little money from it. Laptops are welcome but not required.

Instructor Rebecca Agiewich is the author of BreakupBabe: A Novel (Ballantine Books, 2006), which sprang from her dating blog “Breakup Babe” and was a finalist for the 2007 Lulu Blooker prize — a literary prize for books based on blogs. She is also a writing coach, freelance editor, and journalist, whose travel writing can be found in places like the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Alaska Airlines Magazine. You can find out more about Rebecca at www.RebeccaAgiewich.com.

From last year’s online blogging class: “Rebecca was an ideal teacher. She answered all our newbie questions with generosity and humor. And patience.”

EFA Members $99 — Nonmembers $124

Roughing it: Write a draft of your book in just six weeks
Wednesdays, 4-6 pm, January 27 to March 3, 2010
Richard Hugo House, Seattle
As Anne Lamott tells us in her writing book “Bird by Bird,” even the most successful authors write “shitty first drafts.” So why not write it fast and get it over with? In this class, we’ll write complete, 50,000-word first drafts of a novel or memoir. While in class, we’ll alternate lessons in story structure, character, premise, and outlining, with in-class writing exercises to jumpstart the imagination. You must commit to writing 1200 (shitty) words a day outside of class. This course is geared towards beginning writers but all are welcome. Hour-long individual conference with teacher included.
Required text: Writing for Story by Jon Franklin
Pricing details to come when this class gets officially announced at Hugo House

Blogging Demystified
November 14, 1 pm – 5 pm
Richard Hugo House, Seattle
These days, publishing experts insist that authors need a Web presence. Blogging is the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to get that presence. Plus, it’s fun. Where else can you get such an immediate response from your readers but in cyberspace? In this class, we’ll learn the basics of setting up a blog, creating compelling entries and promoting it. Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet, a professional platform or both, blogging can help you reach a wider audience, get feedback on your writing and even earn some cash on the side. You’ll come away with all the information you need to start your own blog in five minutes or less.
General: $96.00
Hugo House Members: $86.40

Blogging 101
October 3, 9:15 am – 10:30 am
Write on the Sound writer’s conference
Is your creative spark threatening to go out? Is your freelance business slow? A blog can help you revive them both. Blogging is a free, fun way to get your name out there to a potential audience of millions, and in this class you’ll learn everything you need to know to start your own blog. (Hint: it’s much easier than you think!).

Blogging for Beginners at the Seattle Public Library University Branch
July 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Always wanted to start a blog but aren’t sure how? Don’t be intimated; blogging is easy! In this free class you’ll learn everything you need to know to start your own blog. Not only is blogging a great creative outlet, you can also use it as a free marketing tool to boost your small business or find an audience for your writing. In this class, we’ll learn the ABCs of blogging: what are blogs, how to figure out if a blog is right for you, and how to create one in less than five minutes.
Free!

Understanding Story Structure and the Magic of the Outline
July 8, 2009 — August 5, 2009
Wednesdays, 7 – 9 p.m.
Richard Hugo House, Seattle
Ever made it to page 73 of your novel or nonfiction work only to discover that you’re stuck? The problem could be in your outline. Don’t have an outline? Aha! That’s the problem. In this class, we’ll learn the basics of dramatic story structure, and an incisive method for outlining that gets to the heart of your story in 20 words or fewer. We’ll also do structural analysis on great short pieces to hone your eye for structure. Bring a project you’ve been stuck on or have been wanting to start. Hour-long individual conference with teacher included. Required text: “Writing for Story” by Jon Franklin. No class July 29.

General: $145
Members: $130.50

Thursday, June 26, 2009, 2 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Blogging 101 for Non-profits: Why You Can’t Afford Not to Blog
NDOA Spring Conference: Fundraising in Changing Times

Friday, June 12, 2009
6:00 PM TO 9 PM
Greenwood Artwalk – Balderdash Books
I’ll be selling my book and signing copies at Balderdash Books on Greenwood Ave. Yay artwalks!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
2:00 PM TO 4:00 PM
Free workshop at Edmonds Community College
Blogging 101 with Rebecca Agiewich
Edmonds Community College brings Rebecca Agiewich, author of Breakup Babe (2006, Ballantine), to campus to give a free writing workshop. Blogging 101 will be 2 p.m., Tues., May 19 in Brier Hall 231. Space is limited. To register email amanda.laughtland@edcc.edu. Blogs are powerful tools for writers of all skill levels. They can help you hone your voice, find an audience and get your name out there. This free writing workshop offers a chance to learn how to make your own blog shine, addressing the basics of creating, promoting and customizing a blog.

Rebecca Agiewich is a novelist, journalist, and writing teacher living in Seattle. She started a blog called Breakup Babe in the summer of 2002 to vent about a horrible breakup and to chronicle her dating adventures. The blog attracted a lot of fans, and her blogging experience became the genesis of her autobiographical novel, BreakupBabe, which was published in 2006 by Ballantine Books. The novel’s protagonist finds that blogging gets her into some big trouble but, by connecting her with lots of eager fans, it also helps her regain self-confidence and purpose.

Thursday, March 26, 2009
7:00 PM TO 9:00 PM
Cheap Wine and Poetry
Richard Hugo House, Seattle
With poets Roberto Ascalon and Nicole Hardy, blogger-turned-novelist Rebecca Agiewich, and humorist Sean O’Connor.

Wednesdays, March 25, 2009 – April 15, 2009
Blogging 101–A favorite from last spring!
Online (four sessions; no chat; lessons posted at 6:00 p.m. PT)
Editorial Freelancer’s Association
Is business slow? Is your creative spark threatening to go out? A blog can help you revive them both. Whether you’re a writer looking to connect to an audience or an editor who wants to attract clients, blogging is a free, fun way to get your name out there to a potential audience of millions.

Via lessons appropriate for both blogging newbies and those who want to make an existing blog more compelling, you’ll learn the basics of setting up a blog (it’s a snap!), attracting readers, promoting it—and, yes, even making money. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the blogosphere and a blog that fits your own personal and professional needs.

Instructor Rebecca Agiewich is the author of BreakupBabe: A Novel (Ballantine Books, 2006), which sprang from her dating blog “Breakup Babe” and was a finalist for the 2007 Lulu Blooker prize—a literary prize for books based on blogs. She is also a blog consultant, freelance editor, and journalist, whose travel writing can be found in places like the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Alaska Airlines Magazine. You can find out more about her at www.rebeccaagiewich.com.

“Rebecca’s stories were entertaining, and her evident enthusiasm was catching. Great instructor.”

EFA Members $135 — Nonmembers $160

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 – Wednesday, February 25, 2009
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Turn Down the Volume and Pump up the Word Count
Richard Hugo House, Seattle
Do you have a hard time finishing writing projects that you’ve started? Perhaps you’ve been stymied by “Radio KFKD,” the inner critic who mocks your pathetic literary attempts. (Term courtesy of Anne Lamott). Every writer has been there; in this class you’ll learn how to fight back. Culling advice from a variety of writing teachers, including Natalie Goldberg, Stephen King, Chris Baty and Anne Lamott, we’ll alternate in-class exercises with strategy discussions, homework assignments and reading that builds both your writing abilities and your defenses against Radio KFKD. Come with a project that has been dogging you and expect to write every single day. *Bestselling Seattle author Garth Stein will come talk to our class on February 4 to talk about how he has stayed motivated throughout his career.*

Sat., Feb 7, 2009 6-7:30 p.m. PST
Breaking Glass, BlogTalk Radio
If you didn’t hear this show live, check out the archive by clicking on this link.
“It’s a week before Valentine’s Day. What better time to have a show dedicated to love songs? That’s just what we’re going to do and who knows? Perhaps the Breakup Babe herself, Rebecca Agiewich, may show up to discuss the other side of love!”

Thursday, January 29, 7 pm
Richard Hugo House, Seattle
Online Publishing, Blogging and Marketing for Writers
Join us for an exciting evening with writers, bloggers, and editors of online magazines who have made the Internet work for them. As old-media publishing houses crumble, writers must build reputations and readership without their help, and blogs, Twitter, podcasting, and social networking sites are tools that writers cannot afford to ignore. Panelists will talk about what’s worked for them, discuss where to network online with editors and agents, and address the pros and cons of publishing your work online for free. Our panel includes: Rebecca Agiewich, Eileen Gunn, Cat Rambo, and Ed Skoog. $7/$5 for Hugo House members. Cabaret. Thursday, January 29th, 2009, 7:00 PM.

Sat., January 10, 2009 6-7:30 p.m. PST
Breaking Glass, BlogTalk Radio
If you missed the show you can still listen to it by clicking on this link above! Here’s how host Greg describes it: “The theme of this week’s show is “break-ups” and the music and discussion matter will center around breaking up (and maybe even getting back together). To this end, we have renowned author Rebecca Agiewich (The Breakup Babe) joining us in studio so check it out and call in with questions about breaking up!” *Bonus* You’ll also get to hear my (recently disbanded) band Hank and the Milkmashers play!

Sunday October 5, 2008, 9:15-10:45
Write on the Sound Writer’s Conference
Edmonds, WA
Blogging 101 for Writers
Blogs can help you reach a potential audience of millions! Whether you’re a fiction writer looking to hone your voice or an editor who wants to reach out to clients, blogging can help. Learn the basics of setting up a blog (it’s easy!) and leaveraging the blogosphere to fit your own personal needs.

Tuesdays, April 15 to May 6
Blogging 101
Editorial Freelancer’s Association
EFA members $100 — Nonmembers $125
Class Description
In today’s world, it’s almost de rigueur to have a blog, whether you’re a writer looking to connect with an audience or an editor who wants to attract clients with a stronger online presence. In this class, you will learn how to grab your own little piece of the blogosphere and make it shine. Via lessons appropriate for both blogging newbies and those who already have a blog and want to make it more compelling, you will learn the basics of setting up a blog, attracting readers, promoting it — and, yes, even making money. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the blog world and a blog that fits your own personal and professional needs.

January 18 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Girl Power Hour
Solo Bar, Queen Anne
“Connect with other entrepreneurial and like-minded women in varying industries and social circles throughout the city. Network, have a cocktail, or just socialize and hang out with new friends! This time around, we welcome blogger turned author, Rebecca Agiewich, author of the hilarious book Breakup Babe, while offering the chance to purchase one of ten limited hand-made pieces of jewelry from women of Thailand escaping the sex trade, as supported by the Women of Purpose, our featured charity. Complimentary swag bags, cocktail specials and a chance to win hot door prizes! Feel free to forward the Girl Power Hour event information to all of your hip, creative and fabulous girlfriends.”

January 22 – February 26
Tuesdays, 7-9 pm
Good Blog, Bad Blog
Richard Hugo House, Seattle
I’ll be teaching my world-famous blogging class again – this time in the longer, dance-mix, six week version!

Class Description
Weblogs—or “blogs”—are powerful tools for writers. They can help you hone your voice, find an audience and get your name “out there” in a way that was previously impossible. We’ll explore the democratic, dynamic world of the blogosphere to determine how to make our own blogs shine, while also addressing the basics of creating, promoting and customizing them. The goal is to come away with some bright ideas about how to “give good blog,” while also leveraging the blogosphere for our own individual writing needs.

December 14, 4-7 pm
Peridot Holiday Trunk Show
I’ll be selling copies of my book at Peridot from 5-10 pm, a great little boutique in Lower Queen Anne, located at 525 1st Avenue West Wine and refreshements will be served!

December 1, 2007, All day
Write-O-Rama
Richard Hugo House, Seattle
This is a day full of fun mini-writing workshops that help raise money for Hugo House. I’ll be teaching a workshop called “Write What You Don’t Know” — and there are a gazillion others you can take too, with great local writers like Waverly Fitzgerald and Ryan Boudinot.