Whether you’re already at work on a novel or contemplating writing one, there are “tricks of the trade” that can help you develop your story and bring it to life on the page. Taught by New York Times bestselling memoirist and novelist Susan Jane Gilman, this workshop will offer a lively crash course on the essentials for good fiction— with a special focus on the key elements of a novel, including the narrative arc, perspective, and characters. In addition to instruction and insights, there will be writing exercises to help participants grasp techniques themselves; a section on the publishing process; and Q & A. Please bring an old-fashioned notebook, a writing instrument, enthusiasm, and the caffeinated beverage of your choice.
Date: 21 November 2026
Time: 10h30-16h30
Location: TBC
Fees:
Full day: CHF 70 (Members) | CHF 100 (Non-members)
Half day: CHF 50 (Members) | CHF 70 (Non-members)
Susan Jane Gilman is the New York Times Bestselling author of five books: the nonfiction “Kiss My Tiara,” “Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress,” and “Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven,” plus the novels “The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street” and “Donna Has Left the Building.” She has written for countless publications including the New York Times, Salon, and The Guardian, and been a commentator on America’s National Public Radio. As the keynote speaker at TedX Zurich, she gave a TED talk on the creative process, “There Is No Lightning Bolt.” Her books have been published in a dozen languages. A native New Yorker, she is now also a proud Swiss citizen. She spends much of her time in Geneva procrastinating and appalling her neighbors.
