Writing by the Lake

Community / Office of Community Education / Writing by the Lake

Writing by the Lake offers community members the opportunity to take writing seminars from award-winning authors at Lake Forest College.

aerial view of the campus with the lake in the background

Learn essential techniques and experiment with new forms.

You’ll connect with other writers from the community, and our outstanding faculty will provide individual advice and mentorship for your work. Whether you are a novice or a pro, Writing by the Lake will let you get to the next level.

Taught by award-winning authors, each seminar consists of four two-hour sessions and ends with an individual evaluation and “Next Steps” conference. Your “Next Steps” conference will provide one-on-one time with your Writing by the Lake faculty member to discuss where to take your writing next.

Spring 2026 Class

Short Story Craft

Time: Wednesdays, 10 am-noon

Dates: March 11, 18, 25 and April 8, 2026

Location: Lake Forest College Krebs Center for Humanities, 1045 Walden Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045

So, you want to write stories? Then do it with us. Our Writing by the Lake seminars return with a course on short fiction taught by retired professor Lois Barr.

Join fellow writers for a four-week workshop to read and pick apart the work of great writers as well as write together from prompts.

The Writing by the Lake series is open to experienced and novice writers alike and combines in-class discussion, writing and professor feedback.

Each participant will have a chance to share a story and receive a gentle critique as well as a final one-on-one conference to review their work. In addition, you’ll discuss how to get stories published in on-line and print journals as well as outlets to share your work in public venues.

This spring’s program will be held on Wednesday mornings March 11, 18, 25, and April 8, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Krebs Center for the Humanities. The tuition is $325 per student. Interested? Please call the Office of Community Education at 847-725-5083.

To Register or For more information, please contact Mike Alzamora at malzamora@lakeforest.edu.

Tuition

Tuition for a Writing by the Lake seminar is $350, which includes four two-hour class sessions, an end-of term writing project evaluation report, and a “Next Steps” conference with your faculty mentor.