9/3 THE PERILS OF GIRLHOOD Virtual Release and Memoir Writing Workshop
9/3 THE PERILS OF GIRLHOOD Virtual Release and Memoir Writing Workshop
Anyone who preorders The Perils of Girlhood from an indie bookstore or Bookshop.org or from ANY bookseller, is invited to join me for a free online memoir class. Just upload the receipt number or a photo of your receipt and you'll receive a Zoom invitation. (Want a signed copy and live in the U.S.? Order from Second Flight Books.
We’ll start the masterclass with a short reading from The Perils of Girlhood followed by a mini craft talk that will dive into the process of writing a memoir and then we will go through a few generative writing exercises to help you get the beginnings of your own memoir on the page. There will be time at the end of the session for Q&A, so be sure to bring your questions!
By the end of this workshop, writers will…
Apply a deeper understanding of the structure of their own lives and then apply this to develop their memoirs
Understand how to write essays
Consider how the beginning and end of a memoir can both add momentum to the piece and also tie together disparate moments and times
Focus on the power of scenes to tell hard stories
Glean strategies and practical tips to increase your own memoir-writing skills
Who is the Instructor? Melissa Fraterrigo’s forthcoming memoir-in-essays is The Perils of Girlhood (University of Nebraska Press, September 1, 2025). She is also the author of the novel, Glory Days (University of Nebraska Press), which was named one of "The Best Fiction of 2017" by Chicago Review of Books. Melissa is also the author of the short story collection, The Longest Pregnancy (Livingston Press). Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in a variety of journals including Puerto del Sol, Massachusetts Review, Fifth Wednesday Journal, Sou’wester and Shenandoah. She has twice been nominated for Pushcart Prizes.In addition to her publications, she has taught creative writing at Bowling Green State University, Southern Utah University, Penn State-Altoona, the Indiana Writers’ Center and IUPUI. Melissa currently teaching creative writing at Purdue University and is the founder of Lafayette Writers’ Studio.
To learn more or read her work visit melissafraterrigo.com.
When is this class offered?
This class is offered Wednesday, September 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This workshop is open to writers of all levels. To register, upload the receipt number or a photo of your receipt and you'll receive a Zoom invitation.
Interested in the class but the date does not work for you? Don’t despair. All registrants will receive a recording of the class within three business days of the course.