THE STUDY COVEN
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The Study Coven started out as a one-off class in February 2022, hosted online under the auspices of a bookstore. We read The Handmaid’s Tale and Beloved as works of feminist horror, then wrote in-class from prompts derived from the reading.
There was a spark of magic in that class. When it ended, horror author Rebecca Cuthbert suggested we keep working together, with new syllabi on related topics, and curated creative writing prompts to accompany the readings. Through Zoom, I hosted our next class, Queer Magical Realism. Both of the authors we studied paid us a visit. That class was followed by Monsters, Ghosts, and more Witches. We’ve also covered Crones in Space: Non-Horror Writings about the Body from a Feminist Horror POV, Vampires + Cannibals — and who could forget Smutty Study? Meanwhile, the witches keep coming, usually referred by a friend or through Facebook groups. They’ve popped up all over the country, and even a few in Canada. Some stay for a while, others have taken every class since 2022. The principles of the Study Coven are exploration, flexibility, and accessibility. Instead of repeated meetings, each study witch works their way through a four-week syllabus at their own pace. You can do every exercise, read all the supplementals, or not. And you can always return to the syllabus at a later date — it’s yours to keep. Our reading and writing lead to two virtual sessions: a guided discussion — with frequent visits from authors like Ariel Gore, Sara Gran, Andrea Lawlor, Pam Grossman, and others — and a writing workshop. Our workshops are curiosity-based; we focus on exploring the author’s vision and intentions. No idea is too weird, no form is off limits. Through a cabal of badasses working independently, the Study Coven somehow formed a community of like-minded writers, who celebrate and encourage each other. After all, what is a coven if not a circle of knowledge-seekers, grounded in their own strength, and made more powerful by their bond? Themed classes are offered seasonally in January, May, July, and October. We meet on Thursdays. For enrolled study witches, writing-only workshops and no-homework Witch CRAFT Saturday sessions are also on offer. |
UPCOMING CLASSJanuary 2025 – Lost Goddesses
Kicking off a year-long mythology series, we begin with The Book of Eve by Carmen Boullsa, an inventive, witchy re-telling of the Book of Genesis, plus articles, stories, and poetry concerning ancient goddesses associated with Eve, like Athena, Ninhursag, and Inanna. class dates
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READING LIST: BOOKS THE COVEN HAS STUDIED
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rEAD THE PAST & PRESENT STUDY WITCHES' WORK
Many of the stories, essays, and poems featured below began in our workshops!
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BOOKS
MARY CAMARILLO
REBECCA CUTHBERT
SARAH GERKENSMEYER
AJ SUPER
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ANTHOLOGIES & COLLECTIONS
BRIDGET D. BRAVE
REBECCA CUTHBERT
JENNIFER FISCHER
STORIES & ESSAYS
SYDNEY BOLLINGER
AMY BOWERS
AMIENA MAHSOOB
POEMS
MARY CAMARILLO
MARY ANNE PEREZ
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WHAT THE WITCHES HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE COVEN
For every class I've taken with Lindsay, I've written a new story—two of three have been published, and the third is part of a collection I'm currently shopping around. Even better than that, I've gotten to know a wonderful group of supportive women. Signing up for that first class--Feminist Horror in 2021--was one of the best things I've done for myself as a writer. And I can't wait for this year's topics!" — Rebecca Cuthbert, author of the poetry collection In Memory of Exoskeleton
"From the writing prompts to guided discussions to personalized feedback, the Feminist Horror class had everything I could’ve asked for! Lindsay fostered such a creative and open environment to share my writing and meet other writers." — AP
"I have taken three classes with Lindsay so far: Feminist Horror, Queer Magical Realism, and Witches. She is a fabulous teacher. She gives insightful comments on workshop pieces, comes up with cool course content, fosters a really fun, collegial environment amongst the students, so much so that a bunch of us keep coming back." — Clare O'Dowd
"Lindsay's writing classes are enriching and fruitful. Her prompts are among the best I've seen and the book selections and insight shared during classes is valuable. She does an excellent job of building community among writers and encouraging a positive workshopping experience. I've had several pieces published that grew out of her prompts and writing workshops." — Jen Fischer, writer and filmmaker