Everyone loses sometimes, but at what point does a character become an undeniable loser?

In this short course and workshop, we’ll explore how to write all varieties of losers, failures, flunk outs, and flops. Students will explore the craft questions behind writing losers, like what qualities are indelible to losers? What can writing losers and flops teach us about agency in fiction and beyond? How can losers enable writers to comment on larger cultural forces, such as economic alienation or the role technology plays in our lives?

We’ll read work by writers who have written some of the key representations of loserdom, including Tony Tulathimutte, Iris Owens, Ottessa Moshfegh, and more. You’ll also be given a syllabus with loser narratives to explore in other mediums, such as cultural criticism on the concept of contemporary loserdom and films to explore. Each student will have the opportunity to workshop at least one piece in a supportive environment. (Note: light reading and responding to work ahead of time will be required.)

The class is open to writers of any experience level with an interest in fiction or prose writing. If you’re looking to delve more deeply into the concept of loserdom, want substantial feedback on your writing, or are looking for new strategies to craft complex, flawed characters, this class is for you.

Flop Era: Writing the Loser, 4 Week Seminar & Workshop with Mary Kate McGrath