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Holyoke Community College



Our Classes

Wine Tasting: New Zealand Wines FOOD 105.53, CRN 17184

$79
Calendar Mar 26, 2026 at 6 pm
New Zealand Wines - Learn about wines from this country in the South Pacific. We'll taste a wide range of red and white wines from New Zealand, as well as learn more about the grapes, climate and its wine subregions. Dinner is not provided. Instructor Ken Ross.

Beginner’s Guide to Using FREE ChatGPT (AI) for Writers EXPR 078.51, CRN 17124

$35
Calendar Mar 26, 2026 at 7 pm

ChatGPT (AI) is here to stay and is the future for writers and content creators. Don’t be left behind! No prior AI experience required. Do you want to learn how to incorporate the power of cutting edge technology to gain ideas and inspiration, write web content, articles, and even novels or scripts? In this beginner friendly course, you’ll learn how to register for a FREE ChatGPT account, input effective writing prompts to avoid nonsense responses, build creative content, from stories to marketing copy, determine its capabilities and limitations & understand ethical/legal considerations using ChatGPT There’s no doubt ChatGPT and similar AI systems will force the job market to evolve. It’s crucial for everyone to adapt, learn new skills, and be open to working in collaboration with AI, so start building your expertise in the world of ChatGPT now! The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Class is delivered via Zoom and a link will be shared the day before the class.

Writing Short Stories: A Beginner’s Guide EXPR 079.51, CRN 17125

$35
Calendar Mar 27, 2026 at 5 pm

Writing short stories (1,000–30,000 words) helps you discover your writing voice and how to convey your ideas. You’ll learn how to bring your story to life with an engaging plot, as well as character development, action, and dialogue. You’ll also learn the technical parts of crafting a short story, including structure, important character moments, and progression in the story. You’ll also know what to do with your short story once completed, including editing, proofing, and publishing options. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Class is delivered via Zoom and a link will be shared the day before the class.

Comedy Writing: How to Be Funny on Paper and Stage EXPR 080.51, CRN 17126

$35
Calendar Mar 27, 2026 at 7 pm

Whether you need to make a dull work presentation more lively, mix laughter with learning in the classroom, or ultimately want to write for print/production or perform your own stand up routine, this fast paced session will show you how to apply humor to all aspects of your life. You will learn the anatomy a joke, how to use your powers of observation to sharpen your wit, write different types of jokes, and use humor to entertain and influence people. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former stand up comedian at places like The Laugh Factory in Hollywood, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Class is delivered via Zoom and a link will be shared the day before the class.

Pitch Perfect: Crafting Query Letters & Proposals That Sell EXPR 082.51, CRN 17129

$25
Calendar Mar 28, 2026 at 2 pm

Want editors to say “yes” to your pitch? In this power packed session, you’ll learn how to craft irresistible query letters and proposals that demand attention. Discover how to hook an editor in the first sentence, tailor your pitch for maximum impact, sidestep the mistakes that sink submissions, and follow up like a pro. By the end, you’ll have the skills and confidence to pitch your book, article, or services—and actually get the green light. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Class is delivered via Zoom and a link will be shared the day before the class.

Overcome Writer’s Block: Tools to Get Unstuck and Inspired EXPR 083.51, CRN 17130

$25
Calendar Mar 28, 2026 at 3 pm

Words stuck in your head instead of on the page? This high energy class is your breakthrough. Discover powerful techniques and dynamic creative exercises that blast through writer’s block and ignite your imagination. You’ll learn how to spark ideas from the unlikeliest places, ditch perfectionism, and build unstoppable daily writing habits. Walk away with renewed confidence, a flood of inspiration, and the momentum to write boldly, consistently, and with joy. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Class is delivered via Zoom and a link will be shared the day before the class.

10 Practical Tips to Writing Powerful Dialogue (in novels & scripts) EXPR 084.51, CRN 17131

$25
Calendar Mar 28, 2026 at 4 pm

Writing believable, relatable dialogue is an art form, but fortunately there are some tried and tested methods and techniques you can use right now to improve the dialogue in your novel or script. In this fast-paced session, you’ll learn how to turn ordinary words into compelling dialogue, use clean dialogue tags, differentiate character voices, use dialogue instead of narrative/voiceover, avoid dialogue “dumps,” and be real, but not boring. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Class is delivered via Zoom and a link will be shared the day before the class.

Show, Don’t Tell: Make Your Writing Come Alive EXPR 085.51, CRN 17132

$25
Calendar Mar 28, 2026 at 5 pm

Transform your writing from flat to unforgettable. Dive into the art of “show, don’t tell” and learn how to craft manuscripts that leap off the page. This hands on class unlocks the secrets of vivid descriptions, sensory details, dynamic dialogue, and action that grip readers from the first word. With practical exercises designed to spotlight weak spots and supercharge your prose, you’ll walk away with the tools to create stories that readers can see, feel, and live—page after page. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Class is delivered via Zoom and a link will be shared the day before the class.





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