Hollis Gillespie Shocking Real-Life Writing Academy

The Hollis Gillespie Shocking Real-Life Academy offers a variety of writing seminars designed for the general public to help turn personal stories and life experiences into publishable works. The classes are taught by Hollis Gillespie and other published author instructors, including award-winning author Doug Monroe.

Hollis Gillespie is an author, NPR commentator, and writes a weekly column for Creative Loafing and a monthly article for Paste magazine. She is known for her witty but insightful accounts of her colorful childhood and her adventures with her motley crew of best friends.

The Shocking Real-Life Writing Academy offers classes in memoir, personal essays, travel pieces, radio commentaries, columns and more are currently being offered and/or compiled.

The Shocking Real-Life Writing Academy takes place at the Sister Louisa's Art Gallery in the Church of the Living Room and Ping-Pong Emporium at The Telephone Factory Lofts in Atlanta.

I took the 5-week personal essay seminar that was held at the Margaret Mitchell House. I chose the topic of living with Celiac Disease for my essay. I thought it was a great experience, and worth the $175. The class size was small (under a dozen students) so there was plenty of time for one-on-one attention with the instructor, Hollis Gillespie.

You can register for classes online at The Shocking Real-Life Writing Academy.