Story and Storm: Reading Jesmyn Ward’s Salvage the Bones
Thursdays, September 17–October 15 (no class 10/1)
Jackie Thomas-Kennedy
Reading Group
$150
$125
Join author Jackie Thomas-Kennedy to read and discuss Jesmyn Ward’s National Book Award-winning novel Salvage the Bones, set largely during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Salvage the Bones captures the wild devastation of the hurricane without losing sight of the characters’ individual stories. During class discussions, both readers and writers—whether brand new to writing or working within a sustained practice—will examine Ward’s craft choices.
Discussion topics will include ways to address catastrophe without letting it overwhelm the page and methods of using the infamous and historical in fiction. Students will also explore Ward’s complex rendering of place and family and her skillful depictions of the natural world.
Classes will meet once a week via Zoom, and each session will be recorded. The required textbook for this course is Jesmyn Ward’s Salvage the Bones.
About Jackie Thomas-Kennedy:
Jackie Thomas-Kennedy’s debut novel, The Other Wife (Riverhead), was included in The New York Times 2025 list of “The Summer’s Best Beach Reads” and NPR’s “Books We Love” (2025). Her work has been recorded for NPR’s Selected Shorts, and her book reviews have appeared in The Washington Post, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Alta, and Harvard Review. A former Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford, she has received fellowships from the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MacDowell, Yaddo, Ucross, and Saltonstall. She holds an MFA in fiction from Columbia University School of the Arts.
Schedule
All sessions will take place on Zoom. Sessions will be recorded.
Session 1: Thursday, September 17, 6:30–8:30pm ET
Session 2: Thursday, September 24, 6:30–8:30pm ET
No class October 1
Session 3: Thursday, October 8, 6:30–8:30pm ET
Session 4: Thursday, October 15, 6:30–8:30pm ET
FAQ
When can I register for this class?
Registration is open and will close on Wednesday, September 16, or whenever the class reaches its cap.
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 70 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.
Will sessions be recorded?
Yes, sessions will be recorded for those who need to miss a class. Please be advised, however, that this is not an asynchronous class and students are encouraged to attend and participate in live sessions.
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 by lottery. The deadline to request a scholarship is September 9. Applicants will be notified by September 10. You can apply 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: Full refunds are available through September 9. Partial refunds (50%) are granted if the class is dropped within one week of the class start date (September 10–16). 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.