WORKSHOPS
“Judy is a wonderful teacher: generous, enthusiastic, inspiring. Her ‘Active Storytelling’ class is challenging, fun, and a much-needed antidote to writing alone in a room.”
—Alexandra Enders, author of Bride Island
Over the past 25 years—at Random House and Judy Sternlight Literary Services—I’ve provided editorial guidance to many writers. I learned my craft from renowned editors at Random House but I also rely on my background in improvisational theater. For years, I performed and taught theatrical improv with Some Assembly Required, a legendary troupe that was based in New York City.
Back in 2016, I invented Active Storytelling, combining literary techniques with theatrical exercises to help writers explore character development, high-stakes commitment, story structure, pacing, points-of-view, descriptive writing, sensory work, subtext, and status (power dynamics) in a workshop setting. My aim as a teacher is to give writers the ability to flesh out their characters in-the-moment and on the page, and to freely experiment with narrative styles and techniques in a supportive and energized environment.
I developed several workshops at the Center for Fiction in Brooklyn—from multi-session programs to weekend bootcamps. I’ve also taught workshops at The Miami Writers’ Institute, The Slice Literary Conference, Pen + Brush, Kachemak Bay Writers Conference in Alaska, and the Living Room Workshop in NYC.
selected workshops
“Active Storytelling” (improvisation meets creative writing)
In this workshop, you’ll participate in on-your-feet creative exercises, craft discussions, and brief writing assignments. Together, we’ll build emotionally grounded characters, convincing points-of-view, and dynamic relationships. We’ll explore authentic dialogue based on active listening, as well as subtext, status, and raising the stakes. In a lively class based on teamwork and trust, you’ll acquire narrative tools designed to benefit each participant’s current and future writing projects.
"Participating in exercises where I didn't have time to censor myself brought out the creativity that had been eluding me for months. The class was both fun and rewarding. I feel like I can now approach my novel draft and short stories with a fresh eye."
—Stephanie Arndt, writer
“Months after the class has ended, Judy's workshop continues to affect my writing of dialogue and plot. Judy's thoughtful coaching was immensely helpful, and the writing exercises serve as permanent reminders of what I learned. Although I was terrified to improvise in front of strangers, the experience was relaxed and fun with lots of learning. I would do it again in a snap!”
—Abigail Cutter, author of The Last of What I Am
“How to Focus Your Story”
(The Miami Writers Institute, Kachemak Bay Writers Conference, Slice Literary Conference, and The Center for Fiction)
To bring a story into focus, a writer has numerous creative options to explore, including points-of-view, character objectives, clear narrative structures, and endings that resonate. Drawing on creative springboards and news clips, we’ll explore key story-building decisions through a mix of improvisational exercises, group brainstorming, and discussions about craft. We’ll also touch on what editors look for, and react to, when evaluating a manuscript, and how to fine-tune your work before sending it to agents or publishers.
"I'm so glad I took Judy's workshop, "How to Focus Your Story." Her knowledge of how a story works is amazing. The class was informative, creative and probing. I came away with tools that I could use and learned so much about storytelling."
— Zeeva Bukai, author of The Anatomy of Exile
“Point-of-View” masterclass at Pen + Brush, NYC
"Judy’s point-of-view workshop was relevant to my work, and made me think. She’s an engaging presenter with the gift of knowing how to make each participant feel included. Each writer had at least one AHA! Moment. I appreciated the carefully curated handouts for their usefulness in both the workshop and for later reference, They also planted seeds for future reading. — Diane Patrick, journalist and editor
“Subtext” class at The Living Room Workshop, Brooklyn Heights
“Judy Sternlight blew into the independent fiction workshop I teach like a (well organized) gust of fresh air. Through innovative improv exercises, she got us to think in new ways about subtext, particularly about the emotions and character dynamics which roil beneath the surface of dialogue, and how to convey these. In the end-of-semester evaluations, “improv night” was mentioned by several people as a highlight. And as a teacher, I was inspired by Judy’s encouraging and lucid critique of the improv scenes.”
— Alexandra Shelley, Associate Professor, The New School Creative Writing Program, and director of the Living Room Workshop
“Reading as Performance” (Center for Fiction, and online as part of 5E’s public Office Hours sessions)
Designed to help writers prepare for public readings, this interactive session covers a range of topics, including how to select your material, how to channel your nervous energy, and how to use eye contact, pacing, and vocal projection to connect with the audience.
"Thank you so much for the workshop! I definitely walked away feeling more confident (and less anxious) about the upcoming reading. I'm going to be making eye contact for days."
—Nusrat Hossain, 2019 Center for Fiction Fellow
Panels and Literary Conferences Include:
Associated Writers and Writing Programs, Washington, DC
Brown University (moderated panels in RI, NY and CT for The Brown Reader)
Center for Fiction, NYC
Historical Novel Society, NY Chapter
Grub Street, Muse and the Marketplace, Boston, MA
Kachemak Bay Writers Conference, Homer, Alaska
Miami Writers Institute, Miami, Florida
Pen + Brush, NYC
Symphony Space, NYC
Paragraph Workspace for Writers, 5E roundtable, NYC
Slice Literary Conference, Brooklyn