Mommm! A Study of Motherhood in Contemporary Short Fiction
Mondays, September 15-October 6
Jackie Thomas-Kennedy
Reading Group
$150
$125
In this class, suited for fiction enthusiasts or writers at any stage, we’ll read a range of short stories that feature depictions of motherhood. How does language shift—or does it?—when a mother appears on the page? What are the other characters’ expectations for the mothers in each of these stories? We’ll take note of the way domestic physical tasks can contribute to both character development and narrative momentum. Participants can expect to read work by—among others—Elizabeth McCracken, Brenden Willey, Jhumpa Lahiri, Kim Coleman Foote, Megan Mayhew Bergman, Kiley Reid, and Justin Torres.
This is a reading group. Designed for writers and readers alike, our reading groups analyze a single text or multiple texts. Classes meet once a week for live Zoom lectures to discuss the reading with the instructor. Reading group sessions will be recorded.
About Jackie Thomas-Kennedy:
Jackie Thomas-Kennedy was awarded a Wallace Stegner Fellowship at Stanford University in 2014. She is the winner of the 2019 Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize, and her story “Sledding” was a 2023 Narrative Story of the Week. Her work has been recorded for NPR’s Selected Shorts, and her stories have appeared in American Short Fiction, One Story, Electric Literature, Lenny Letter, Narrative, Bennington Review, The Idaho Review, and elsewhere. Her reviews have appeared in The Washington Post, Harvard Review, the Star Tribune, The Millions, and on the Ploughshares blog. She is a two-time MacDowell fellow and has received fellowships from the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Yaddo, Ucross Foundation, Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, and the Saltonstall Foundation. She holds an MFA in fiction from Columbia University School of the Arts. Her debut novel, The Other Wife, was published by Riverhead in the US and Viking in the UK in July 2025.
Schedule
All sessions will take place on Zoom. Sessions will be recorded.
Session 1: Monday, September 15, 7:30-9:30pm ET
Session 2: Monday, September 22, 7:30-9:30pm ET
Session 3: Monday, September 29, 7:30-9:30pm ET
Session 4: Monday, October 6, 7:30-9:30pm ET
FAQ
When can I register for this class?
Registration will open soon.
How does the class work?
This class meets weekly for live Zoom discussions for the duration of the course. Students will read work assigned by the instructor and engage in discussions both on the discussion board and in the Zoom sessions.
Is there homework?
The class will include reading assignments.
How much time will the class take?
Live lessons run for two hours. Students will read approximately 50 pages per week.
How many students are in the class?
This class is capped at 50 students.
Can I take the class on my phone?
Yes, the class can be taken on a phone, but we recommend a computer or tablet to get the most out of the experience.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships for this class?
Yes, we have a limited number of scholarships for the class. Scholarships cover 50% of tuition and are selected at random. The window to apply for a scholarship is open through September 1. To apply, go here.
Discounts & Policies
Our online classes are designed to be safe spaces for all who participate. One Story will not tolerate hate speech, bullying, or harassment directed toward instructors or fellow students, and reserves the right to remove participants who engage in such behavior from our classes.
Patron Discount: In order to qualify for our patron discount, you must be a member of our patron circle at the time of registration. Patrons commit to annual donations and receive benefits that allow them to participate in our non-profit organization in more meaningful ways. Not all One Story subscribers or supporters are patrons. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a patron, you can do so here.
Refund Policy: Students can receive full refunds up to one week in advance of the class start date, and 50% refunds September 8-14. Class payment is non-refundable on or after the class’s start date. For questions about the refund policy, or if you are unable to take the class after you have registered, please contact maribeth@one-story.com.
If you have any questions, please contact edu.support@one-story.com.
