ICG Introductory Consult Response Sheet

The Response Sheet for the Introductory Consult consists of six items designed to give you immediate feedback about your writing and to guide the 15-20 minute conference call. The first half of the conference call will focus on your writing. The second half of the conference call will focus on recommendations and options for further ICG consulting.

1. Type of work under review.

2. First impressions upon reading the selection.

3. Immediate Strengths.

4. Immediate Weaknesses.

5. Miscellaneous Notes.

6. Recommendation for future Attic Institute consulting or workshops.

The Attic Experience

"Merridawn Duckler's patient, insightful teaching style helped me shape a raw manuscript for my novel, Broken Piano for President, into a smarter, funnier, better book that went on to be an Amazon Bestseller. I still recite some choice words of advice she gave me whenever I get stuck. The Attic was crucial to my development. The supportive, yet critical workshop environment made me want to be not only a better writer, but a better reader each class. It's been over five years since my Attic experience, but not a day goes by that I don't ask myself if my classmates would approve of today's work. If not, I go back to the drawing board."

~ Patrick Wensink, author of Broken Piano for President

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.