Ethan Joella is the author of the novels A Little Hope (Scribner, 2021), which was a Read with Jenna Bonus Selection, A Quiet Life (Scribner, 2022), The Same Bright Stars (Scribner, 2024), and The Top of the World (Scribner, 2026). His books have been featured in The New York Times, People, and Good Housekeeping.  Ethan teaches English and psychology at the University of Delaware and specializes in community writing workshops. He lives in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware with his family.

Who is this class for?

This online writing seminar is for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers at all levels who want to deepen their craft by learning how to use objects with greater intention and power. Whether you're drafting your first short story or revising a full manuscript, this class will sharpen the way you think about the physical details on your page.

What to expect:

What would The Glass Menagerie be without the unicorn figurine? What would William Carlos Williams have done without the wheelbarrow and plums? Can you imagine Holden Caulfield without his red hat? Objects carry enormous weight in literature — they reveal character, anchor symbolism, drive conflict, and trigger epiphany. Yet many writers underestimate just how much a single well-placed object can transform a scene.

In this two-hour online writing workshop, novelist Ethan Joella will guide you through a focused exploration of how objects function in prose and poetry. Through close reading of celebrated examples and guided writing exercises, you'll examine the craft techniques that make objects resonate on the page. You'll leave this seminar with new strategies for using physical details to deepen characterization, layer meaning, and create memorable moments in your fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.

This creative writing seminar combines craft discussion with hands-on practice, giving you tools you can apply to your current work immediately.

What are the writing goals?

In this seminar, students will complete guided writing exercises designed to practice embedding objects into their work for characterization, symbolism, conflict, and epiphany. Students will leave with draft material generated during the session and a sharper understanding of how to deploy objects across genres.

COURSE OUTLINE

• Study the role of objects in celebrated works of prose and poetry
• Examine how well-placed objects serve characterization, symbolism, conflict, and epiphany
• Complete guided writing exercises to practice these techniques in your own poetry, fiction, or nonfiction

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• A deeper understanding of how objects function in literature across genres
• Craft techniques for using objects to reveal character and drive conflict
• Strategies for embedding symbolic objects naturally, without heavy-handedness
• Guided writing exercises and new draft material generated during the seminar
• A practical toolkit for strengthening physical detail in your poetry, fiction, or nonfiction

Can't Make It Live?

No problem! The session will be recorded and available to watch after the seminar concludes.

TESTIMONIALS:

"I really appreciated how the weekly feedback that was specific to my work. I would recommend this to any writer looking to take their work to the next level." - Tara K.

"This class exceeded my expectations. The assignments were well-defined, and Ethan's thoughtful feedback pushed me out of my comfort zone. I felt that the class was really well-scoped. I'd love to take further classes with Ethan, especially anything around character interiority and expressing a character's needs/wants." -Lizz H.

"Ethan is such a thoughtful teacher. I really enjoyed this class and hope he teaches more classes soon!" -former student

"This class exceeded my expectations and now I have a new tool in my writing toolbox!" -former student

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

Tuition is $99 USD. This class will meet live via Zoom. If you can't attend live, a recording will be provided.

• Instructor: Ethan Joella
  

• Wednesday, June 10, 2026

• The class will meet via Zoom, 6:00PM - 8:00PM EST
  

• Tuition is $99 USD.