PROMPTING ESSAYS & STORIES
WRITING POD
(If you would like to sign up or have questions, please Fill Out This Form.)
I'm excited to introduce you to Writing Pod, the next offering of our Prompting classes, designed to give you the time, community and structure to commit to your writing.
In Writing Pod you will gather in community and write, using the summer to get a substantial start, or even finish a piece of writing.
DETAILS
Twice weekly 2-hour sessions for 12 weeks (Three months)
You can attend both sessions or just one
In each session we'll discuss our goals and I will offer a prompt or lesson for those who need some direction
We will all write TOGETHER for one hour. I'll join you and will have my camera on
We'll wrap by sharing passages from our work, bringing questions to the group or asking for feedback
Everyone will receive weekly readings that will inspire your writing
Everyone will have access to the community channel where we can discuss all things writing, literature and art
Anyone who wants further accountability will commit to two additional 20 minute writing sessions per week (on your own) and I'll pair you with another writer to check in
All genres/formats welcome (poetry, story, essay, play, screenplay, novel, memoir)
All levels welcome
You can use Writing Pod to write and revise a complete draft of a short piece or to outline and begin a book-length work. Or, to simply commit to writing every week, within a space and with people who will inspire you.
DATES & TIMES
July 4 to September 29
Saturdays 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. PST
Tuesdays 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. PST
PRICE (sliding scale)
Choose based on what you’re able to pay (if you prefer to pay in 2 or 3 installments, let me know)
Top Tier $300 per month for 3 months
Mid Tier $250 per month for 3 months
Low Tier $200 per month for 3 months
(That comes out to $12 per hour)
If you’d like to join WRITING POD or have any questions, please click the link below and fill out the form.
WHY WRITING POD
My biggest hurdle as a writer is...well..writing. Actually sitting down to write. I've scrubbed the grout of my kitchen floors with a toothbrush, ran boring errands, walked dogs in the high noon LA heat, and watched a lot of Housewives episodes, just to avoid sitting down to write. That's partly why I created these prompts based classes and why I'm now offering Writing Pod. A place where you have to sit down and write.
Over the last 3 years, we've built a really wonderful community of writers from all backgrounds, aged 23 to 67, from around the world. Students come to this community with all experience levels for a supportive and safe environment and to be accountable to writing.
Friendships have been forged (you've literally made plans and travelled to meet each other!), hundreds of essays and stories have been written by you (some published, some performed —woohoo!) and you've honed your voice and improved your skills, slowly, meticulously, over time. You've connected with each other to share drafts and ask for feedback beyond the duration of these classes, and have kept each other on track through accountability groups.
Please note that this class is non-refundable.
CLASS STATS
Over the course of three years I’ve taught 122 students in Prompting Essays and Prompting Stories classes.
Students have joined from all around the U.S. as well as the UAE, Singapore, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Colombia The Netherlands, France, The UK and Greece. And, an incredibly diverse group, ranging in age from 23 to 67 and inclusive of about half queer and BIPOC students.
I’m mathematically challenged, but I estimate the return student rate to be upward of 75 percent.
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.