Beginning the True Crime Book
CSI, Forensic Files, Cold Case—these popular TV shows are often based on cases that have been explored in true crime books. What’s it like to research a cold case? Which cases merit a full-length book? How do you access evidence files? Join bestselling true crime author Mardi Link in a half-day seminar to explore the essentials of true crime writing.

Sat., June 20, 9 a.m.-noon
Oleson Center Rm. A
Instructor: Mardi Link
Cost: $35      Code: 10376

Vision and Revision:
A Writing Essential One-Day Workshop
When you put pen to paper, you begin with a vision, what you think you want to create. You begin writing, and as you do, you refine your initial vision into a revision. This is the creative process. Revision is not simply fixing—it is at the heart of the writing process. In this one-day workshop, Stephen Lewis, college professor and author, guides this process as you get closer to what you want to express. Our medium will be narrative, either fiction or non-fiction. Come with 5-6 pages of a story you have in process. We will workshop your work, and provide time to apply suggestions that will bring your work closer to what it wants to be. A box lunch is provided.

Thurs., July 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
University Center Rm. 103
Instructor: Stephen Lewis
Cost: $65        Code: 10383

The Food Memoir:
Stories of Family and Culture
Love to read and eat? While this is not a cooking class, you'll find these book discussions enticing. Explore the diverse genre of contemporary food memoir through selected essays and two books: Stealing Buddha’s Dinner (Bich Minh Nguyen, 2007), an account of growing up as a Vietnamese refugee in Grand Rapids, which has just been chosen as the focus for the 2009-2010 Great Michigan Read; and The Language of Baklava (Diana Abu-Jaber (2005), a memoir about being Jordanian and American. These stories about foods both exotic and familiar invite reflection on issues of family, culture, and identity. Discuss good literature, explore your own memories of food, and taste some dishes. Read each book prior to each class. Register for any or choose the series and save $12.

3 Wed., 6-8 p.m.
June 24: Selected Essays (provided)
Code: 10378
July 15: Stealing Buddha’s Dinner
Code: 10379
Aug. 12: The Language of Baklava . . . . .
Code: 10380

University Center Rm. 204
Instructor: Judy Chu
Cost: $27 per session ($24 with LIFE Discount)
$69 for the series of three ($59 with LIFE Discount)
Series Code: 10381