Pleasure as Resistance: Writing Joy, Delight, and Liberation

Sunday, February 15 @ 2-5pm ET, on Zoom (with recording)

“There is no way to repress pleasure and expect liberation, satisfaction, or joy.” – adrienne maree brown

Amidst the upheaval of our world, what happens when we attune our awareness to joy, delight, and beauty? What new stories – for our lives and for our world – might become possible to tell? This one-day class will be about fawning over the ephemeral, dancing with our delights, and probing the power of our pleasures. We will write into the moments that light us up, whether they are sensual, ethereal, radical, or simple, and discover how sourcing inspiration from pleasure can provide a portal into the darker, harder stories we wish to write.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.

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  • “Pleasure as Resistance” is open to writers of all “levels” and genres who are drawn to writing about pleasure, either because it sounds intuitive OR because it sounds really, really hard! This class can be a break from a hard project, a way into a hard project, or just a chance to relish in delight and see what happens!

  • This class will take place on Zoom on Sunday, February 15, from 2-5pm ET. The class will be recorded and shared via email with all enrolled participants.

  • Up to 12 people

  • We’ll look at a couple of excerpts (memoir and fiction) that explore sensuality, pleasure, and delight, and use them to generate new material. There will be in-class writing and ample opportunity for sharing and receiving “on the spot” feedback from Arya and the other folks in the class.

  • Arya Samuelson is a writer, editor, and educator. She is the winner of New Ohio Review’s Non-Fiction Prize, Lascaux Review’s Nonfiction Prize, and CutBank’s Montana Prize in Non-Fiction awarded by Cheryl Strayed. Her work has also been published in Fourth Genre, Bellevue Literary Review, Columbia Journal, New Delta Review, The Manifest-Station, and elsewhere. She has worked with literary organizations across thr country and loves working with writers 1:1 and collectively to unearth the deeper story and transform it into art.

  • The cost for this class is $125. However, recognizing that writers' access to financial resources exists across a wide spectrum, this class is being offered on a sliding scale between $100-150. If severe economic hardship prevents you from accessing the lowest sliding scale, please send an email to Arya to inquire about the possibility of a scholarship.

    Up to 10 days before class, tuition may be transferrable to a future class or service with Arya. Afterwards, tuition will be non-refundable or transferrable.

  • Payment is processed via Stripe and accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, and other payment options. If you have any questions about class before deciding, or any difficulties with registration, please email Arya.