Writing Seminars from the Grotto

Jennica, one of the TT interns and contributor to Panties took a Grotto travel writing seminar and really enjoyed it. Here are two upcoming ones if you can get yourself to the Bay Area. Grotto Writing Seminars at the Mechanics' Institute October 23 and 24, 2004, San Francisco Join nationally published travelers, top teachers, and Bay Area bon vivants for “The World Is My Oyster: Writing About Adventure, Food, and Travel.” Inspiring authors will talk about their wanderings in foreign lands, domestic kitchens, and the surprising corners of the heart. This intimate writing workshop caters to veteran and aspiring writers who want to deepen their craft and broaden their understanding of the publishing world. Seminar producers Laura Fraser and Constance Hale are magazine writers, book authors and popular teachers. Fraser writes on food and travel for such magazines as Gourmet, Bon Appetit, and Organic Style; she is the author of An Italian Affair. Hale's travel essays have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Miami Herald, and various anthologies; her book Sin and Syntax is a primer on polishing prose. Details follow or can be found on their website. Saturday, October 23 10am - 6pm Morning Panel: Let Me Tell You About My Oyster Featuring food and travel writers Jeff Greenwald, Christopher Hall, Lisa Margonelli, Tori Ritchie, and Jason Roberts. Moderated by Constance Hale; followed by a book signing. Afternoon Mini-courses (choose one): The Art of Adventure, with Jeff Greenwald From Tante Marie to Bon Appetit, with Tori Ritchie Writing about Place, with Christopher Hall Reception: Wit, wine, and repartee Featuring a special performance by Jeff Greenwald Sunday, October 24 10am - 4pm Writing Intensive with Laura Fraser and Constance Hale Morning: Overview of writing about food, place, and personal experience The nuts-and-bolts on coming up with strong ideas, crafting beautiful pieces, and placing stories. Oh, and did we forget making a living? Fraser and Hale will share their secrets and invite your questions. Afternoon Workshops (choose one): Secrets of the Senses, with Laura Fraser What I Sold from my Summer Vacation, with Connie Hale Travel as Memoir, with Larry Habegger Registration Details: Saturday only, October 23 $160, $112 Mechanics' Institute members Sunday only, October 24 $160, $112 Mechanics' Institute members Both days: $240, $190 Mechanics' Institute members NOTE: Lunch is included, and space is limited to 50 people. Register before October 1 and pay the Mechanics' Institute rate. Follow-up “Pitch and Bitch” workshops will be announced. For information, email seminars@sfgrotto.org or visit their website www.sfgrotto.org/seminar.