Writing the Unspoken: Crafting Stories from Shame and Silence
Melissa Petro, author of the acclaimed hybrid memoir, "Shame on You: How to Be a Woman in the Age of Mortification," guides students through how to reclaim your stories from shame.
Cost: $265 $212
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Class Size Limit: 15
What if your most painful experiences could become the source of your most powerful writing? In this generative craft workshop, we’ll transform moments of vulnerability into compelling, resonant prose. Drawing on techniques and insights from instructor Melissa Petro’s critically acclaimed hybrid memoir, Shame on You: How to Be a Woman in the Age of Mortification, we’ll examine how to translate private, difficult material into art that engages and moves readers. We’ll explore craft elements—such as scene, voice, sensory detail, and structure—while also considering the ethical and emotional dimensions of telling shame-laden stories.
This is a safe, supportive space for writers of all gender identities and experience levels. Whether you’re working on memoir, personal essay, or hybrid forms, you’ll come away with sharper skills, richer material, and the confidence to tell the stories you once thought untellable.
Each week, participants will:
Read and discuss published works that tackle shame with honesty and artistry.
Complete generative writing exercises designed to uncover raw material and shape it into narrative.
Receive and offer constructive feedback with an emphasis on craft, not therapy.
Learn revision strategies that refine voice and deepen emotional impact.
After this class you’ll be able to…
Identify and write into your unique “shame triggers” as creative entry points.
Experiment with narrative techniques that convey vulnerability without self-betrayal.
Leave with several polished short pieces or drafts to develop further.
This is a three-week class on Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm ET, on October 8, 15 and 22, 2025. All Narratively Academy classes are conducted online and are accessible to students anywhere in the world. This class will be recorded and shared with all enrolled students, but live attendance and participation is strongly encouraged.
Instructor Bio: Melissa Petro is a freelance writer and author of Shame on You: How to Be a Woman in the Age of Mortification, published by Putnam Books, a division of Penguin Random House. As a book coach and workshop facilitator, she’s helped hundreds of people push through fear, write, share, and even publish their most vulnerable stories in national publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, The Nation, Salon, The Washington Post, and elsewhere, and has helped still more individuals re-envision their lives by making meaning of their past and transcending traumatic experiences. She was affiliate faculty at Goddard College and holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the New School.
“Melissa Petro is an exceptional writing teacher. She masterfully balances support and challenge, pushing her students to refine their work while offering insightful and encouraging feedback. Her unique blend of honesty, kindness, and fresh perspective makes her an invaluable guide for any aspiring writer.”– Jennifer S.
“I'm lucky to have found such a terrific mentor in Melissa. Her honest, critical feedback has expanded my writing skills. She also shares her experience as a lifetime writer, synthesizes how the industry operates, and offers best practices for becoming a published author. I highly recommend any course Melissa offers.” – Shabana S.
Registration Details: Seats in this class are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. All purchases are final and nonrefundable. After signing up, you’ll receive an email receipt confirming your purchase. Prior to the start of your class, you’ll receive an invitation to access the virtual classroom and view all class materials.
Questions? Email us at academy@narratively.com.