Atheneum Class of 2022

Congratulations to the class of 2022

Our annual certificate program, the Attic Atheneum melds independent study under close faculty supervision, student receptions, public readings, and other special Atheneum events created around good food and great conversation, dialogue, and literary community.

Nonfiction

Joy Bullen

Lindsey Clark

Tess Kelly

Jodi Lorimer

Nyla McCarthy

Kate Nason

Fiction

Ashley Boucher

Jamie Maher

Rick Rees

Sheila Rittenberg

Beverly Rose

Lainie Yarris

Faculty

Brian Benson

Lee Montgomery

Whitney Otto

Joanna Rose

The Attic Experience

"I want you to know how much I appreciate the past five weeks of writing and talking about memoir under Merridawn Duckler's skilled leadership. She created a comfortable and challenging atmosphere for new and developing writers to thrive. Even though we plan to continue meeting as a group, we will miss her ability to quietly make the comments we need to hear. I hope I have an opportunity to take another class from Merridawn. Thank you for offering this class and opening the door a bit wider to the world of writing."

MaryLouise Ott

The Classic Book for Writers, Updated and Revised

EVERY WRITER HAS A THOUSAND FACES

"This book has been in print forever because what it offers works for people." — Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club

"Finally, an anti-bullsht book on creativity!"* — James Marcus, former editor of Harper's

"Does for the creative process what Strunk and White did for our approach to grammar and style. Indispensible." — Marjorie Sandor, National Jewish Book Award winner

"Buoyant...unorthodox...A provocative and anti-intuitive manual for making fresh art." — Kirkus Review

"Biespiel offers a number of best practices—not just for writing...but for living a creative life." — The Rumpus

A Statement of Our Values

The Attic Institute of Arts and Letters opposes the legitimation of bigotry, hate, and misinformation. As a studio for writers, we do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We embrace and celebrate our shared pursuit of literature and languages as essential to crossing the boundaries of difference. To that end, we seek to maintain a creative environment in which every employee, faculty member, and student feels safe, respected, and comfortable — even while acknowledging that poems, stories, and essays delve into uncomfortable subjects. We accept the workshop as a place to question ourselves and to empathize with complex identities. We understand that to know the world is to write the world. Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to literary pursuits and shared understanding by affirming diversity and open inquiry.