Our creative writing classes cover a wide range of topics within fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and performance literature. We offer classes on character, plot, setting, scene, and other craft topics, as well as classes in novel writing, memoir, personal essays, short stories, speculative fiction, and flash fiction. Other genres occasionally include screenwriting, playwriting, live lit, young adult, and more. One-day workshops cover topics as diverse as grammar, blogging, and meditation for writers.

We also offer classes, summer camps, and events for young writers under the age of 18.

Unfortunately, we do not allow students to come and sit in classes they have not registered for. We have limited seating for each class. If you’d like to see what our classes are like, we hold Open Houses each term, giving you a taste of the Studio space and our teaching methods. Additionally, we are happy to connect you with former students of classes who are willing to give testimony.

We have a wonderful loft space with three classrooms in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. We are not open for walk-ins during the day; the Studio opens each evening for classes at 6:00pm.

Please see our refund policy page for more information.

Yes! One thing the pandemic taught us is how robust our virtual community can be. We now offer more than 50% of our classes online through Zoom.  

Our popular Youth Creative Writing Summer Camps are open to young writers in grades 5 through 12. Occasionally we have some craft classes throughout the year, as well. Our regular term classes are unable to accommodate anyone under the age of 18.

We also offer one-on-one mentorship for young writers.

We offer Manuscript Consultation services, as well as one-on-one coaching for additional pricing. Whether you want someone to read and give feedback on a couple of your novel chapters, or help you craft a query letter for agents, our instructors will work with you on a monthly basis.

Yes! Depending on availability, we offer our classrooms for use on Fridays and weekends. For more information, please email us for rates and discounts for nonprofits: info@storystudiochicago.org

Yes! Please see our mentorship page for more specialized programming.

Absolutely! Stories Matter Foundation was originally created to provide scholarships to talented writers who have the desire and talent to be great writers but who lack the financial means. We hope you will support us in building our scholarship funds. Visit our Donate page for more information.

Join our team at the Associate Board to support StoryStudio through fundraising, events, and networking in writing communities throughout the city.

The Associate Board is a group of energized writers, readers, and supporters of both who want to be a part of our organization’s success. The AB plans events, volunteers at activities, and serves as ambassadors to libraries, schools, and peer gatherings to celebrate and advance the joys of writing and literature.

For more information, and to express your interest in recruitment info, email events@storystudiochicago.org

Yes! A gift certificate to StoryStudio is the perfect gift for a writer or for someone who wants to give it a try. You can purchase one here.

The Chicago Stories Project is our community outreach initative, a portfolio of community-minded programs launched in 2019 to bring the joys of storytelling into communities around Chicago. Do you want to partner with us? We’d love to hear from you: sara@storystudiochicago.org 

What began in 2003 as an intimate writing center nestled into Chicago’s northside is now a multiservice nonprofit organization poised to intersect with diverse audiences and partners throughout Chicago and beyond. The writing school – StoryStudio Chicago – now operates as a 501c3 public charity through our parent organization Stories Matter Foundation, which was established in 2016 by StoryStudio Founder Jill Pollack. Stories Matter Foundation now includes StoryStudio Chicago, the Chicago Review of Books, the Chicago Stories Project, and a variety of ongoing events, festivals, and initiatives.