

Join us in a 4 week workshop on world building featuring queer community nuance
Age Range | 13-18 |
Class Type | Live |
Start / End Dates | April 7 - 28, 2022 |
Class Size | 1-8 Learners |
Pricing Information
Per Student | $90 |
Creating new worlds can be an experience that is both exciting and frustrating. The nuances of your world can make or break the way a reader interacts with your entire novel.
Join me in a new Queer Writing Workshop that focuses on creating your worlds and giving them depth. We will spend the 4 weeks focusing on creating a believable world in which your readers can imagine themselves.
Week 1: We will focus on what makes a world. We will discuss different aspects of what is involved in your world for your writing projects.
Week 2: We will focus on queer spaces within your world. What does your world think of LGBTQ+ people and how do your characters fit into that idea.
Week 3: Let’s build your world out! This week we will take time to build your world in all of its glory!
Week 4: How do your LGBTQ+ characters fit into the world you’ve created? Are there things you noticed during the world building that you have shifted as you centered your world building on LGBTQ+ identity?
At the end of these 4 weeks we will have built a world full of wonder and excitement to continue our writing!
The classes will be held weekly on Thursdays at 3:30pm EST (2:30pm CST, 1:30pm MST, 12:30pm PST)
This is a live class
This is a 1 hour class
Time commitment: There is an expected 1 – 2 hours of time commitment needed outside of class for this workshop. This will be spent completing homework and working on any writing the student wishes to share regarding their character development.
This is an interactive live class. There will be an expectation of interaction within the class. These classes are purposefully small so everyone has a chance to ask questions and work together to brainstorm solutions and ideas.
Skills needed:
A basic understanding of grammar and general knowledge of story writing.
A zoom account (free)
Access to writing materials of the students choosing (computer, tablet, pen and paper. What the student is most comfortable with)
A google account to turn in work (free)
Camera and microphone for class time.


Joshua Jernigan
Joshua Jernigan (he/him/his) is a transgender rights activist and philanthropist living in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area where he and his husband are raising their daughter together. He started the Gender Education Network, an organization helping transgender and gender diverse youth under 12, and is passionate about ensuring every child has a safe and loving home to nurture their growing identities.
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We have thoroughly enjoyed ancient history with Sam Matalone Cook and would love to continue following the history courses under her instruction. Michelle’s writing workshop was a welcomed addition to our semester and the ease of adding on a quick workshop to the semester was appreciated. I do wish that I could take classes, too. The great selection makes me jealous; Fairy Tales and Feminism would be so incredible to join in and to learn with Sam! And the LGBTQ+ history and US courses! Blair’s enthusiasm for science comes across strongly and is encouraging for the young learners. So many great classes- so little time.
Sheila and Elisa
So many great classes- so little time.


My Zoom-averse daughter looked forward to the weekly online meetings. Michelle does such a wonderful job at speaking with young people and guiding discussions. My daughter was motivated to work hard on her assignments and has asked to take another class from Michelle. E.F.P.
Michelle does such a wonderful job at speaking with young people and guiding discussions
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason

I really appreciated your enthusiasm, support, and kind words in your video feedback messages to him. That goes a long way! [Learner] is going to a brick and mortar school next year for the first time since fourth grade. We submitted the two papers he wrote in your class to the high school he applied to go to next year, and they recommended he start in Advanced English! Woohoo! Jill G.
We submitted the two papers he wrote in your class to the high school he applied to go to next year, and they recommended he start in Advanced English!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason

The video lectures were clear and packed full of helpful and important writing lessons. The video and written feedback was clearly personalized, very detailed, and extremely beneficial for my learner. Michelle truly demonstrates compassion and expertise in her classes! Kristi R.
Michelle truly demonstrates compassion and expertise in her classes!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason

I only wish we had found Michelle sooner! I’ve been homeschooling my son off and on for years. Writing is very challenging for him and it is so difficult to take feedback from a parent. I have begged so many of his teachers to please offer direct, concise, written feedback and give him the opportunity to revise. I knew this would be the only way he could improve. This class was everything I’ve been asking for for years…..except I didn’t have to ask! It is designed this way and it worked brilliantly! My son gets to attend an adventure school in the fall, but if we homeschool the following year, the first thing I will do is sign him up for whatever Michelle is teaching. E.F.P.
I only wish we had found Michelle sooner!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason

I really appreciate how organized the class was, how clear the expectations and guidelines were and how professional and encouraging the feedback delivery was. Darcey
I really appreciate how organized the class was
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason

I just want to take a few minutes to send a huge thank you for the way you deliver (have delivered) feedback to [Learner]. He tends to put a lot of pressure on himself and doesn’t often take feedback or constructive criticism well. You have managed to give him a boost of confidence and an opportunity to look inward to appreciate feedback from others. I’m so glad we found you! This experience is exactly what I hoped for in our homeschooling journey! Karen
I’m so glad we found you! This experience is exactly what I hoped for in our homeschooling journey!
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason

He was so invigorated and excited after today’s meeting. It awakens something in him he craves and can only get from discussions like the one today. Bevin Early
He was so invigorated and excited after today’s meeting.
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason

I especially enjoyed the final project for this class, which was something I had never tried before, using creative writing as a way to debate philosophy and contrasting view points. It was quite a bit challenging, ultimately leaving me satisfied with the ending result.
I used creative writing as a way to debate philosophy and contrasting view points
Teacher: Michelle Parrinello-Cason

For us, this is “authentic learning.” We discussed how community college classes and other virtual online high school classes might be accredited and “weigh” a lot in terms of grades and credits, but SEA Online Classes is where her mind and creativity are challenged and inspired. I’d like to emphasize the part about creativity. She felt invited to engage creatively. SEA Online classes are where the love of learning happens.