The Work Room

Online Workshops, Craft Seminars, +  Manuscript Consultations

A program of The Shipman Agency

The Work Room was created in response to the pandemic. It has been so successful it is now a permanent feature of The Shipman Agency’s offerings. Here you will find opportunities to deepen your craft or get your manuscript in shape while studying with some of the world’s leading authors, many of whom offer classes exclusively through The Work Room. Students receive a graduate-level experience that will challenge their assumptions and broaden the scope of what their work can do.

All classes and consultations are virtual and held live over Zoom. Information on how to access classes will be sent two days before the start date. In the case of absences or time differences, all our classes are recorded. Got a question? Find our FAQ page below. For any other Work Room-related inquires, please contact our program manager Kate Mabus, kate@theshipmanagency.com.

A portion of all Work Room proceeds will be donated to If Not Now and Palestine Children’s Relief Fund

Faculty: Rabih Alameddine, Samiya Bashir, Ryan Berg, Michele Filgate, Maria Dahvana Headley, Kyle Dillon Hertz, Jenny Johnson, Megan Kamalei Kakimoto, Porochista Khakpour, Rickey Laurentiis, Annie Liontas, Greg Mania, Isle McElroy, Maurice Carlos Ruffin, Aysegul Savas, Sonia Shah, Laura Warrell, Lindy West, Tiphanie Yanique, Yasmin Zahar, Michael Zapata.

Manuscript Consultations: Samiya Bashir, Lillian-Yvonne Bertram, Sumita Chakraborty, Jos Charles, Elaine Hsieh Chou, Anna Clark, Kavita Das, Michael Dickman, Ru Freeman, Maria Dahvana Headley, Jennifer Michael Hecht, Dorothea Lasky, Rickey Laurentiis, Greg Mania, Sarah Manguso, AX Mina, Jamie Quatro, Khadijah Queen, Kristin Radtke, Brynne Rebele-Henry, Ayşegül Savaş, Elissa Schappell, Sonia Shah, Danniel Schoonebeek, David Shields, Rob Spillman, Meredith Talusan, David L. Ulin, Sunil Yapa

Books by Work Room faculty, and new and forthcoming books from our clients, are available on our affiliate page at Bookshop.org.

ALL GENRES

Fiction

NonFiction

Poetry

Manuscript Consultations & Private Mentorships

Please note: If you’re interested in a manuscript consultation, please be sure to click through for complete pricing information. The price you see has variants. Not all prices for consultations are flat rates; some are registration fees that will go toward a final fee based upon work done. Please read individual writers’ descriptions for how they charge for their services.

FAQ

How do recordings work?

Almost all of our classes are recorded and uploaded to Vimeo. If you have time zone differences, get sick, or know you need to skip a session, we’ll send you a password-protected link to view the recording. You’ll have four weeks to view it. We also have an archive of past classes available for purchase. If interested, please inquire with kate@theshipmanagency.com.

Can I register for a class that’s already started?

For craft seminars and master classes, we welcome registration at any point. We’ll send you recordings and class materials to catch up. For workshops, we might be able to get you in, as long as you reach out before the third session. 

What are the scholarship options?

Most of our classes have full or partial scholarship offerings. If so, those details will be listed on the course page along with an application via Google form. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, stated interest, and, in some cases, the quality of the writing sample you submit. We will do our best to give you a decision at least a week before the class begins. 

Can I set up a payment plan?

We offer payment plans for classes over $300. Those require a non-refundable deposit of $100-$250, depending on the course fee. You’ll pay in regular increments before the 30th of each month until the total course fee is fulfilled. kate@theshipmanagency.com can help you determine a schedule and get you set up. It’s essential that students stay on track so we can pay our instructors on time. If you can no longer keep up with your payment schedule, we will unfortunately have to withhold access to the class. 

What if I want to withdraw from a class?

If you let us know at least 2 days before the class starts, we’ll be happy to offer you a full class credit or a refund minus a $25 processing fee. If the class has already begun, we won’t be able to offer a refund or credit. If there are extenuating circumstances we should consider, please write to kate@theshipmanagency.com. 

What if a class is canceled?

Occasionally we cancel classes due to low enrollments or very rarely when a conflict comes up for the instructor. In that case, you’ll be offered a full refund or class credit. 

Other guidelines: 

  • Craft seminars and master classes generally have open enrollment, while workshops have capped enrollment. We process registrations on a first-come basis.

  • Students are not allowed to share the Zoom link for classes, record sessions, distribute or reproduce any associated materials.

  • We’re committed to ensuring our students are treated with respect. If you have a concern, please don’t hesitate to contact us.