Thirteen Ghost Stories
Mondays, October 5–26
7–9pm ET
Dan Chaon
Reading Group
$150
$125
What makes something a ghost story? What is a ghost, and what are the various ways that they can function in a work of literary fiction? Better yet, can we ever know for certain that a story isn’t a ghost story? In this course we’ll be asking these questions as we discuss classic and contemporary spectral tales.
Authors we’ll encounter include Pemi Aguda, Robert Aickman, Mariana Enriquez, Brian Evenson, Nalo Hopkinson, Shirley Jackson, M.R. James, E. Nesbit, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Yoko Ogawa, and Edith Wharton. We’ll use the recent anthology Make Sure You’re Around After You’ve Gone (A24 Books, 2025) and look at some classics of the form that are in public domain, as well as some spooky news stories. We’ll also discuss the craft of writing ghost stories, but the course is meant for both readers and writers looking for a hauntingly fun time.
About Dan Chaon:
Dan Chaon’s most recent novel is One of Us (2025). Other works include Ill Will, a national bestseller that was named one of the ten best books of the year by Publishers Weekly; the short story collection Stay Awake, a finalist for the Story Prize; the national bestseller Await Your Reply; and Among The Missing, a finalist for the National Book Award. Chaon’s fiction has appeared in the Best American Short Stories, the Pushcart Prize Anthologies, and the O. Henry Collection. He has been a finalist for the National Magazine Award in Fiction and the Shirley Jackson Award, and he was the recipient of an American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature. Chaon lives in Cleveland.
Schedule
All sessions will take place on Zoom. Sessions will be recorded.
Session 1: Monday, October 5, 7–9pm ET
Session 2: Monday, October 12, 7–9pm ET
Session 3: Monday, October 19, 7–9pm ET
Session 4: Monday, October 26, 7–9pm ET
FAQ
When can I register for this class?
Registration is open and will close on Sunday, October 4, 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 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.
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 28. Applicants will be notified by September 29. 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 28. Partial refunds (50%) are granted if the class is dropped within one week of the class start date (September 29–October 4). 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.