Ryan Trattles (center), a student in the MFA in Creative Writing program at UMSL, leads an Introduction to Fiction course in this file photo from November. The course is part of the The Write Stuff Certificate Program offered through the School of Professional & Continuing Studies. Trattles earned an MFA from UMSL this spring. (Photo by August Jennewein)

The College of Arts and Sciences and School of Professional & Continuing Studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis announced its Write Stuff Certificate Program for the upcoming fall and spring semesters. Courses and seminars will begin Sept. 10 and continue through June. The program aims to improve participants’ writing skills as well as their knowledge of the business of writing.

“UMSL’s Write Stuff program is a cost-effective way for busy writers to unleash their creativity while learning from insiders about the craft and business of writing,” said Donna Volkenannt, author and Write Stuff instructor.

All seminars are taught by published authors, and core courses are taught by top students in UMSL’s distinguished Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program.

To earn the Chancellor’s Certificate in Writing, participants must complete a total of 50 contact hours – two core courses and six seminars. However, participants may take any, and as many, courses and seminars as they wish. It is not required to work toward the certificate.

“Nine out of 10 people will confess they have a book in them,” said Bobbi Smith, author and Write Stuff instructor. “Of that number, only a few will actually take the time to learn the writer’s craft and put in the time necessary to produce a marketable manuscript. These workshops are designed to help writers of all genres reach their publication goals.

The Creative Nonfiction Workshop will begin Sept. 10 and continue on Tuesdays through Oct. 29. The Fiction Writing Workshop will begin Sept. 11 and continue on Wednesdays through Oct. 30. Both of these core courses will be offered again in January.

The seminars are offered as three-hour sessions, select Saturdays, Sept. 14 through April 12. A full-day seminar will be offered in June. Seminar topics include business writing, grammar and punctuation, publishing, copyright, freelance writing, poetry writing, characters and plots, editing, writer’s block, and children’s books.

“The Write Stuff is a terrific place for new writers in St. Louis to learn the art and craft and business of writing,” said John Dalton, author of “Heaven Lake” and “The Inverted Forest.” “If you live in the St. Louis metro area and have aspirations to write, The Write Stuff is the place to start.”

For more information, including course descriptions, fees and schedule, visit the website at pcs.umsl.edu/writestuff or call 314-516-6590.

The School of Professional & Continuing Studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis provides courses, programs, conferences, and events that fulfill degree completion, professional development and personal enrichment goals for the lifelong learner. For more information, please pcs.umsl.edu.