Holding Darkness Within: A Haunted House Short Story Course
Mondays, October 20-November 10
Puloma Ghosh
Reading Group
$150
$125
What really haunts a haunted house? This autumn we will ring in all hallows season with stories of houses visited by otherworldly entities. Reading short fiction by authors such as Bram Stoker, Mariana Enríquez, ‘Pemi Aguda, Kelly Link, Julio Cortázar, and more, we will examine how a haunted house can be a vessel for anxieties around family, death, memory, and society. This class is open to readers and writers of all levels. Together we will read 1-2 short stories (about 50 pages) per week and discuss how fantastical settings can reflect the real fears that we face in our daily lives, and how these authors use speculative elements as an entry point to genuine feeling.
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 Puloma Ghosh:
Puloma Ghosh is the author of the short story collection, Mouth, which was shortlisted for the 2025 Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize. Her work has appeared in One Story, Cake Zine, No Tokens, Book of the Month’s Volume Ø and elsewhere, and is forthcoming in The Best American Food and Travel Writing 2025. She has received fellowships from Tin House and Bennington College, and lives in Chicago.
Schedule
All sessions will take place on Zoom. Sessions will be recorded.
Session 1: Monday, October 20, 7-9 pm ET
Session 2: Monday, October 27, 7-9pm ET
Session 3: Monday, November 3, 7-9pm ET
Session 4: Monday, November 10, 7-9pm 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.
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 partial scholarships for the class, which are intended for students with financial need. Scholarships cover 50% of tuition and are selected at random. The window to request a scholarship is open through October 8. You can request one 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 October 13-19. 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.
