PROMPTING ESSAYS & STORIES

This class always sells out. To be put on the waitlist for early access, or if you have any questions, fill out this form.

UPCOMING CLASS

PERSONAL ESSAY/MEMOIR (NONFICTION)
Over the course of six weeks students will write first, rough drafts of five essays and discuss elements of style that will help shape their writing. This class is open to all-levels (and trust me, everyone will get something out of it) and designed to help you commit to your writing practice by offering inspiration and a deadline.

LOCATION: Online
DATE: Mondays, May 4 to June 8 (6 weeks)
TIME: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. PST / 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST
PRICE: $500
Please note that this class is non-refundable.

WHAT FORMER STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY…

“A highlight of my year was taking Naz’s short story and essay classes. Naz was insightful and supportive. She creates a warm, safe environment so you can be vulnerable while honing your craft. The assigned prompts and corresponding literature unleashed my creativity. Her notes deepened the work. It was a pleasure reading other students’ takes on the assignments and getting to know them. Naz was always fully engaged. In the writing, the world and in her appreciation of other authors/filmmakers/creators. I look forward to taking more classes with Naz and keeping up on her meaningful writing and filmmaking projects.” — Stacy

“Naz Riahi provides wise guidance, insightful encouragement, and a fun, safe space to try something out of your comfort zone. I’m grateful for everything that I learned from this multi-talented creator and kind human being."  — Chris

“I love how Naz welcomes newbies and lifts up veterans of the craft. I found her to be one of the most wildly supportive creators. The entire world of writing is going to benefit from the community she is building.” — Leslie

“Prompting Essays transformed my relationship with writing and storytelling. Naz's nurturing yet direct approach emboldened me to explore my creativity after years of hesitation. Naz and the community we created together in class gave me the confidence to tell my story. Witnessing my classmates' vulnerability, humanity, and genius in their own creative process was a profound gift. Prompting Essays opened me up to a profound connection with myself through my own creative process.” — Caitlin

“The time spent in class feeds my soul and I think it’s the most important activity I do all week…Thank you, thank you, thank you!” — Victor

“Thank you so much for running such a great class the last 6 weeks! As a beginner, I really appreciated your gentle but constructive feedback every week and the community you created with everyone else taking the class! I was definitely coming from a place of "do I even know how to write/have anything to write about?" But I feel like the prompts and example essays were so hopeful in creating the right amount of structure to make it easier to just put pen to paper.” — Sarah

“Naz creates a warm, empowering atmosphere in her class that allows people to find their love for writing again. She is a great teacher and picks amazing readings that excited me throughout the week. I looked forward to every session. Recommended for any and all artists!” "— Pegah

“An absolute gem of a course, guided by a nurturing hand. Naz created the most supportive, enriching environment in the Prompting Essays class. Through her direction our group of writers found warmth, camaraderie, inspiration and kinship. I am in awe of Naz as a teacher and essayist and highly recommend this class for anyone looking to deepen their engagement with words, even if it feels scary at first. (This class) completely exceeded my wildest expectations — if only school had been this generative.” — Vera

“Prompting Essays with Naz gave me the courage to think of myself as a writer. In a short span of six classes, I learnt to tap deeper into myself than I had in years. It forced me to be honest and explore the creativity within myself. Watching my classmates be vulnerable, grow every week and share their stories with extreme honesty gave me the reassurance and support I needed. This class truly has the potential to change one’s life. “ — Neil

“I knew I wanted accountability and some guidance, what I got was 14 amazing , creative friends, 5 drafted essays, so much inspiration and learning. I would sign up again a million times over. Thank you Naz for building such a beautiful container for all of us.” — Payal

“Naz is the absolute best teacher. The class, the gathering of people from all over the world, Naz’s guidance and instruction, were a sanctuary.” "— Deb

“A true safe haven for writers of all kinds. Prompting Essays gave me permission to reclaim my own power and rediscover my voice.” — Devany

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
My essays and stories have been published in Harper’s Bazaar, Longreads, Pipe Wrench, Food & Wine, Guernica, Los Angles Review of Books, Catapult and more. I was a finalist for the Best American Food Writing Anthology in 2020 and have received fellowships from Yaddo, the Jan Michalski Foundation and the Edward Albee Foundation. I have an MFA in Creative Writing from the New School. In addition, I’m an award-wining filmmaker and perform original works on stage. You can read my full bio here.