Craft Seminar: How to Overcome Mental Blocks and Publish a Magnificent Book with Maurice Carlos Ruffin
Craft Seminar: How to Overcome Mental Blocks and Publish a Magnificent Book with Maurice Carlos Ruffin
1 Session: Wednesday, January 27
6:00-8:00pm ET
Maurice Carlos Ruffin
Maurice Carlos Ruffin is a Guggenheim fellow and the author of three books. His most recent book is the novel The American Daughters, a New York Times Editors’ Choice and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. His first book, We Cast a Shadow, was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award. His forthcoming historical novel, Garden of Redemption, will be published by One World Random House on July 6, 2027.
This motivational session is designed to get your writing year off to a powerful start. Whether you are struggling with a draft or just trying to get your ideas together, this session will feature advice on how to develop your novel or memoir. Time will be set aside for craft questions and questions about the industry.
Highlights:
Motivational Session to Kick of 2027
Ideas to overcome writers block and get you out of your rut.
Insider information about the publishing industry.
This class has 1 scholarship. To apply, please fill out this form by Tuesday, January 19.
Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s most recent book is The American Daughters (One World, 2024), a New York Times Editors’ Choice and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. It was also longlisted for the 2025 Historical Writers’ Association Gold Crown Award, a semi-finalist for the 2025 Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award, and chosen to represent Louisiana at the 2024 National Book Festival. His story collection, The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You (One World, 2021), was a New York Times Editors' Choice, a finalist for the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence, and longlisted for the Story Prize. It was also chosen to represent Louisiana at the 2023 National Book Festival. His first book, We Cast a Shadow (One World, 2019), was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the PEN America Open Book Prize. It was a New York Times Editors' Choice and was longlisted for the 2021 DUBLIN Literary Award, the Center for Fiction Prize, and the Aspen Words Literary Prize. His forthcoming historical novel, Garden of Redemption, will be published by One World Random House on July 6, 2027.
