One of my favorite local non-profits, the wildly inspirational youth writing organization 826 Michigan, has asked me to teach a class for them in their How to Write Like I Do series. The class, which is for adults, is scheduled to take place the evening Thursday, December 10. And, here’s how it’s being advertised:
Amateur journalist and autobiographical writer Mark Maynard will discuss the evolution of zine culture, the advent of blogging, and his experiences with both, with an eye toward helping participants discover the right platform for self-expression for them. Topics covered will include: how to tell a good story, how to build an audience, where to draw the line between personal and public, available platforms, and distribution options.
Mark has been publishing the award-winning zine Crimewave USA for fifteen years, and blogging for about eight, at the popular local site MarkMaynard.com. During the course of the evening, he will share some of the more successful and unsuccessful articles, interviews and comics that he’s put out over the years, and work with people on their own ideas for blogs/zines/etc. He will also talk about the use of blogs for social change.
Note: He wanted to call this session, “How to [tick] off your family and lose lots of money in self-publishing… an evening with Mark Maynard,” but was asked to change it.
I’m not terribly optimistic that people will sign up, as there’s a cost involved, but, given that it’s a great cause, maybe someone will come forward. I haven’t thought a lot yet about what I’ll cover, but it could actually be a lot of fun. So, if you know any aspiring self-publishers out there, let them know, OK? Or, better yet, pay for them to attend the class.
And, I should also mention that they have real writers in the series too, in addition to me. Follow that link above to check them out.
19 Comments
I will try hard not to cry on people.
This is really awesome, Mark! How exciting :) and I think it would have been awesome if they at least let you keep your name idea as a tag line… kinda’ like Dr. Strangelove, but instead “How to Write Like I Do: or How to [tick] off your family and lose lots of money in self-publishing… an evening with Mark Maynard”.
I think that would be perfect. I wish I could attend – I’m not sure I’ll be able to swing the tickets right now. But I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
VERY cool, Mark! 826 is a fantastic organization – I hope you’ll keep us posted as to how it goes.
What nice news. You deserve the recognition, and your students will be lucky indeed.
Will you be wearing the “tattered blogging leotard” you say you wear when you post stuff?
You know, it’s odd, though….the information on their home page very clearly says:
“And best of all, all 826michigan events and activities are offered completely free of charge.
Our three most frequently asked questions: “No, really? Free? Everything?” Absolutely. 826 was founded on the principle that everyone deserves the opportunity to become a better writer and build a better future. So, yes. Free. ”
I guess it must be because we’re adults that we have to pay $60—I didn’t know they even offered adult workshops, though, so that’s good to know.
They don’t charge for student programs. This is a fundraiser, though.
Yeah, it’s a fundraiser, so there’s a fee associated with it. I’m going to try my damndest to make it worth the money, though.
I may even offer half-off lap dances or something.
If no one signs up for the class, maybe I’ll go ahead and develop it anyway. It could be cool to have online in video.
Can our community afford another 2, 5, 8 Mark Maynards? I say HELL NO.
Please join me in boycotting 826 Michigan on December 10.
When you started this blog I’d say you were a reasonably decent writer. In the years since then your writing has gotten considerably better, improving all the time. You have really developed and honed those skills quite noticeably. Today, I’d say you are one of the best writers I know. At the same time, it has also been clear that blogging has had the inverse effect on your general disposition. So it’s good that you are teaching a writing class and not one on attitude.
He may have gotten to be a better writer, but I miss the long diatribes about ball shavers.
Unfortunately, Karen, a person has to spend time talking with Mark in person to get that sort of thing anymore. It’s just not worth it.
Oh, by the way, Mark, how’d that class go last night? Any arrests?
hello mark,
despite the lack of tattered blogging leotards, half-off lap dances, or (perhaps thankfully) ball shaver diatribes, i had a lovely time at the 826 workshop last night. in fact, I POSTED ABOUT IT ON MY BLOG. weird, huh?
http://potandbox.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/a-blog-post-about-blog-posts/
thanks again for your creative/practical guidance,
lisa
Life (in Ypsilanti) is slowly but surely beginning to make more sense.
Why is that D’Real?
This site has chronicled some of the greatest conversations ever had online and offline. And Mark Maynard knows more about the greater Ypsilanti area than anybody I know who is not currently dead.
Imagined the most affluential Ypsilantians know and respect and challenge each other (ultimately for the betterment of Ypsilanti), and this site brings ’em all together slowly but surely.
. . . a lot of catchin’ up to do.
EMU should teach a Mark Maynard Studies course.
Let’s make it happen sooner than later. Well, later is fine. It’s all about #longevity.
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