The Spark Your Story Intensive is a 12-week program for writers
who want to generate a portfolio of submission-worthy essays
toward the completion of a collection or memoir.

The Winter 2024 session is set for February 12 to May 5, 2024.

APPLY BEFORE THE DEADLINE!
Enter your email to receive the application questions.
Applications will be accepted until 02/05/24 at midnight PT.
*Payment plans are available. 

I confirm that I am at least 16 years of age or older

I have read and accept any EULA, Terms and Conditions, Acceptable Use Policy, and/or Data Processing Addendum which has been provided to me in connection with the software, products and/or services.

I have been fully informed and consent to the collection and use of my personal data for any purpose in connection with the software, products and/or services.

I understand that certain data, including personal data, must be collected or processed in order for you to provide any products or services I have requested or contracted for. I understand that in some cases it may be required to use cookies or similar tracking to provide those products or services..

I understand that I have the right to request access annually to any personal data you have obtained or collected regarding me. You have agreed to provide me with a record of my personal data in a readable format.

I also understand that I can revoke my consent and that I have the right to be forgotten. If I revoke my consent you will stop collecting or processing my personal data. I understand that if I revoke my consent, you may be unable to provide contracted products or services to me, and I can not hold you responsible for that.

Likewise, if I properly request to be forgotten, you will delete the data you have for me, or make it inaccessible. I also understand that if there is a dispute regarding my personal data, I can contact someone who is responsible for handling data-related concerns. If we are unable to resolve any issue, you will provide an independent service to arbitrate a resolution. If I have any questions regarding my rights or privacy, I can contact the email address provided.

Practice an approach to memoir that has helped writers just like you
produce publication-worthy and award-winning work.

The Spark Your Story Intensive combines Nicole Breit's two most popular writing programs*
into one potent learning bundle taught by Rowan McCandless.
 

In part one you'll take a deep dive into four "outlier" forms: 
the flash essay, prose poem, lyric essay + hermit crab essay.

In part one you'll explore four visual storytelling forms:
the panel essay (diptych + triptych), the visual essay + the decentered hermit crab.


* The two programs are Spark Your Outlier Story and Spark Your Visual Story - the very courses that helped Rowan generate her award-winning publications. Testimonials on this page refer to these two courses.

"The experimental CNF forms I explored in this course opened me up in new, creative ways. As an instructor, Rowan McCandless was incredible. Alongside her knowledge of the forms, she created a safe and intimate space, which made it possible for me to tackle difficult subject matter, like my father's passing. As a result, while working with Rowan, I wrote my prose poem, "My father as rhythm in lakewater," which placed second in the Banff Centre Bliss Carmen Poetry Contest."

~ Diana Hope Tegenkamp

"A piece I wrote in Nicole’s class was shortlisted for the CNFC Guelph Humber prize in the spring. I'm SO grateful to your course and to Rowan for the boost it gave my writing, especially in the fray of a year that the end of 2020 and early 2021 turned out to be. Thank you for your work (and to Rowan for hers!); the content in your program is very special, and very cool."

~ Hilary Fair

IMAGINE HOW MUCH PROGRESS YOU'LL MAKE

IN 12 WEEKS WITH GUIDANCE + SUPPORT.

With Rowan as your instructor you'll:

 

  • learn a variety of experimental story forms + structures ideal for personal narrative
     
  • practice essential craft tools for powerful storytelling in every assigned project 
     
  • feel supported every step of the way in facilitated discussions, office hours and 1:1 feedback on your work
     

Imagine how it will feel to stop spinning your wheels.

Imagine how it will feel to have crafted a fresh portfolio of your best work to submit to literary publications.

Ready to make a big creative leap?
Apply now!

APPLY BEFORE THE DEADLINE!
Enter your email to receive the application questions.
Applications will be accepted until 02/05/24 at midnight PT.
*Payment plans are available. 

I confirm that I am at least 16 years of age or older

I have read and accept any EULA, Terms and Conditions, Acceptable Use Policy, and/or Data Processing Addendum which has been provided to me in connection with the software, products and/or services.

I have been fully informed and consent to the collection and use of my personal data for any purpose in connection with the software, products and/or services.

I understand that certain data, including personal data, must be collected or processed in order for you to provide any products or services I have requested or contracted for. I understand that in some cases it may be required to use cookies or similar tracking to provide those products or services..

I understand that I have the right to request access annually to any personal data you have obtained or collected regarding me. You have agreed to provide me with a record of my personal data in a readable format.

I also understand that I can revoke my consent and that I have the right to be forgotten. If I revoke my consent you will stop collecting or processing my personal data. I understand that if I revoke my consent, you may be unable to provide contracted products or services to me, and I can not hold you responsible for that.

Likewise, if I properly request to be forgotten, you will delete the data you have for me, or make it inaccessible. I also understand that if there is a dispute regarding my personal data, I can contact someone who is responsible for handling data-related concerns. If we are unable to resolve any issue, you will provide an independent service to arbitrate a resolution. If I have any questions regarding my rights or privacy, I can contact the email address provided.

“Prior to enrolling in Nicole's course as a newer writer, I'd attended other creative writing courses, but none which explored the innovative forms that Outliers guides you through in detail. Within a few weeks, the course content and the thorough instructor feedback unlocked my first-ever hermit crab essay, which was subsequently longlisted for two creative nonfiction contests several months later... my first writing award nominations! I'm infinitely grateful to Nicole for helping me finally generate publishable, contest-worthy creative nonfiction.”

~ Catherine Lewis

THE SPARK YOUR STORY INTENSIVE
INCLUDES ACCESS TO:

A deep-dive into story form + structure

with weekly lessons, curated readings + author Q+As

Craft mini-lessons, pre-writing exercises + projects

to get your writing inspired + strong first drafts

A warm and supportive online community 

where you can connect and ask questions
via 5 live group calls.

1:1 instructor feedback to help guide revision

and suggest next steps to polish each new draft.

An invitation to join our CNF Outliers FB group

to maintain your writing connections long-term.

Your work deserves to be
recognized + celebrated.

IS THE SPARK YOUR STORY INTENSIVE
RIGHT FOR YOU?

If you are struggling to get started, organize and/or finish a draft of your memoir - and are willing to approach your project as a collection of linked pieces — this program is for you!

If you want to generate a batch of fresh experimental work to submit for publication and include as part of a collection or long-form memoir — this program is for you!

WHAT'S THE INVESTMENT?

In the Spark Your Story Intensive you get amazing value for your investment.


The total value of the program is over $4000 USD in a writing program priced at $2997 USD.

Here's the breakdown of what's included:
 

  • a two-part experimental learning bundle delivered by multi-award winning author, Governor General's Award finalist and CNF Editor for The Fiddlehead, Rowan McCandless. Includes access to weekly lessons, readings, author Q&As, pre-writing exercises, assignments and weekly office hours ($2500 value)
     
  • 1:1 personalized feedback from Rowan on 10 assignments (8 projects + 2 re-submitted revisions) PLUS weekly micro-coaching calls ($750 value)
     
  • 5 one-hour Zoom calls with Rowan to ask questions and discuss your learning. One call will be dedicated to a discussion on publishing with a hand-out of 50 markets to submit your work. ($500 value)
     
  • a final portfolio review with Nicole to get another set of eyes on your work and discuss the further development of your project. ($500 value)
     
  • access to our private Facebook community -- a friendly and supportive space to connect with other writers,  discover contest and publication opportunities and share your wins! ($100 value)

After helping countless writers
just like you... we know you can do this.

"I am really thrilled I decided to commit myself to this phenomenal program. Before the SYS Intensive I was getting "stuck" in so many places because the words (and the language structures) were leading me in a direction that didn't quite express what the experience of being multiracial, multilingual and multicultural actually felt like. Now that I can include images, the multiple form interplay leaves me with so much to work with. Words and images are like different languages, different epistemologies that I am braiding together. Not only are the assignments super creative, but I love learning about this context and background that gives rise to these outlier creative writing forms! Rowan is so supportive, too. It's been invaluable to learn from a writer who is also writing about her multiracial experiences."

~ Diem Dangers

 

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Rowan McCandless is the multi-award winning author of Persephone’s Children: A Life in Fragments and a Governor General's Award finalist. She lives and writes from Winnipeg, located on Treaty 1 territory, the ancestral and traditional homeland of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Dakota, Métis, and Oji-Cree Nations. She earned a B.A. and B.Ed. from the University of Winnpeg, and her creative writing certificate from SFU's Writer's Studio. Her work has appeared in The Malahat Review, Prairie Fire, Room, The Nasiona and in the anthology, Black Writer's Matter. She is the CNF editor for The Fiddlehead.

Craft your memoir with

creativity + confidence

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU APPLY?

YOU'LL RECEIVE AN EMAIL WITH 3 QUESTIONS 

Hit reply and respond before midnight PT on February 5, 2024.

YOU'LL HEAR BACK FROM US BY FEBRUARY 8, 2024.

If you're accepted, we'll provide you with registration information.

Ready to craft your best work?
Apply now!

APPLY BEFORE THE DEADLINE!
Enter your email to receive the application questions.
Waitlist applications will be accepted until 02/05/24 at midnight PT.
*Payment plans are available. 

I confirm that I am at least 16 years of age or older

I have read and accept any EULA, Terms and Conditions, Acceptable Use Policy, and/or Data Processing Addendum which has been provided to me in connection with the software, products and/or services.

I have been fully informed and consent to the collection and use of my personal data for any purpose in connection with the software, products and/or services.

I understand that certain data, including personal data, must be collected or processed in order for you to provide any products or services I have requested or contracted for. I understand that in some cases it may be required to use cookies or similar tracking to provide those products or services..

I understand that I have the right to request access annually to any personal data you have obtained or collected regarding me. You have agreed to provide me with a record of my personal data in a readable format.

I also understand that I can revoke my consent and that I have the right to be forgotten. If I revoke my consent you will stop collecting or processing my personal data. I understand that if I revoke my consent, you may be unable to provide contracted products or services to me, and I can not hold you responsible for that.

Likewise, if I properly request to be forgotten, you will delete the data you have for me, or make it inaccessible. I also understand that if there is a dispute regarding my personal data, I can contact someone who is responsible for handling data-related concerns. If we are unable to resolve any issue, you will provide an independent service to arbitrate a resolution. If I have any questions regarding my rights or privacy, I can contact the email address provided.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS THERE A REFUND POLICY?

 

Enrolling in the Spark Your Story Intensive is a non-refundable investment in your writing. Please make sure you are ready and fully committed to the experience before you apply. By purchasing you understand there are absolutely no refunds. If you have any questions about the program before purchasing, email nicole(at)nicolebreit.com

WHEN DOES THE SPARK YOUR STORY INTENSIVE BEGIN?

 

We’re getting set to kick off the program on February 12, 2024!

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?

 

We recommend setting aside at least an hour a day to read the materials, absorb the lessons, and complete your weekly projects. If you're pressed for time, focus on your writing assignments as you have ongoing access to the materials after the course ends.

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?

The Spark Your Story Intensive is for writers who:

  • are struggling to get started, organize and/or finish a draft of their memoir - and are willing to approach their project in discrete essays, piece by piece
     
  • want to generate a batch of fresh experimental work to submit for publication and/or include in a collection or long-form memoir manuscript

MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SPARK YOUR STORY INTENSIVE?

Drop us a line at info@sparkyourstory.com.

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