Revising to the Finish Line 2026
November 9–December 7
Lisa Ko
Asynchronous Class
$75
$65
This was an excellent course because it broke down the revision process into logical parts that were challenging, but not overwhelming.
Revision is not only part of the writing process, but the bulk of it—a way to discover what your story is really about, your intentions for your work, and how to achieve them. It’s rarely seamless, linear, or even simplistic, but it doesn’t have to be difficult! In this class, you will identify how you use common elements of storytelling craft, including structure, character, point of view, perspective, dialogue, voice, and style; and in doing so, develop new possibilities and conscious decisions for improving and revising your writing.
Through weekly worksheets and exercises, you’ll create, apply, and plan revision strategies for your story in progress, editing and re-envisioning your writing and working alongside other writers for accountability. You’ll leave with a firm revision plan and a toolbox of steps and strategies to polish, elevate, and complete your work, which you can then use for future writing projects.
You should have a short story in progress to take this class. It can be of any length.
This class will take place over the span of five weeks. Once a week, students will be assigned readings and work on writing assignments. Lisa Ko will be available during office hours on the discussion board to answer student questions that have been posted throughout the week.
About Lisa Ko:
Lisa Ko is the author of the novel Memory Piece, which was longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Literary Prize, the Gotham Book Prize, and the New American Voices Award, and named one of Barack Obama’s favorite books of summer 2024. Ko’s nationally bestselling novel The Leavers was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction and the PEN/Hemingway Award, and winner of the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Ko’s writing has appeared in Best American Short Stories, McSweeney’s, and The Believer.
Class Schedule
- Monday, November 9: What’s It All About? The Outside Story
- Monday, November 16: Character and the Inside Story
- Monday, November 23: POV and Perspective: The Narrator
- Monday, November 30: Showing and Telling: Get the Balance Right
- Monday, December 7: Your Voice and Reader
FAQ
When can I register for this class?
Registration is open now and will remain open through Sunday, November 8th.
How does the class work?
Each week’s exercises, written lectures, and course material will be posted at 12am ET on the designated course release date (see schedule above). The class also includes discussion boards where participants can interact with one another and with Lisa. These are open throughout the week, but Lisa will only be online answering questions during the designated office hours.
Can I take the class on my phone?
Yes, the class can be taken on a mobile device, but we recommend a computer or tablet to get the most out of the experience.
Is participation on the discussion board required?
No, it’s optional; participants are welcome to jump into the conversation or sit back and observe.
Is there homework?
Yes. Each week will involve revision-focused exercises. These will not be reviewed by the instructor, but participants are welcome to share their work with other students for feedback on the discussion board.
I write nonfiction. Is this class right for me?
This class is designed with short story writers in mind.
I’m working on a novel. Can this class help me write the ending?
While there may be some advice that novelists will find helpful, this class was built for short story writers.
Do I need to have a short story in the works to make use of the exercises?
This class will work best for writers with a short story in need of revision.
How much time will the class take?
Plan to spend two to three hours per week reviewing the lessons and completing the exercises, plus however much time you choose to spend on the discussion board.
How many students are in the class?
One Story asynchronous classes are large and tend to range from 75-150 students.
What if I want to take the class, but the dates don’t work for me?
All class materials will be accessible for one month after the class end date. Please note, however, that Lisa will only be present during the designated office hours. Class material will not be available to students after January 7, 2027. We are unable to offer extensions.
Can I save the material for later use?
There will be downloadable writing exercises, but otherwise class content will be accessible only through the learning platform. To prevent distribution of the material without our knowledge, students are not permitted to copy/paste the lessons but are of course welcome to take notes.
What if I can’t wait to get started?
The discussion boards will open on Thursday, November 5th, four days before the first lesson, so that participants can meet, mingle, and familiarize themselves with the learning platform.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships for this class?
Yes. We offer a limited number of need-based scholarships that cover 50% of tuition. The window to apply for a scholarship is open now through Sunday, November 1. You can apply for a scholarship 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: One Story class payment is non-refundable 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.
