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  • Self-Publishing, Step-by-Step

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – Nov. 11 and Nov. 18 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This two-session virtual course taught by Christy Schmidt, provides participants with a complete roadmap to guide them through the self-publishing process.

    Content will include:

    • Appreciate the modern publishing market
    • Overcome the infamy and dispel the mystique of self-publishing
    • Become aware of self-publishing scams
    • Realize realistic time and financial costs of self-publishing
    • Understand how to prepare a manuscript using self-publishing applications
    • Choose the appropriate genre and length for marketing exposure
    • Discover when a copyright license is required for quotes and pictures
    • Attract the perfect beta readers and professional editors
    • Understand the vital purpose of cover art and how to find a talented digital artist
    • Define the minutia of publishing: ISBNs, Bar Codes, LCCNs and BIFACs
    • Appreciate superior book design and explore design resources
    • Time obtaining and registering your copyright
    • Review marketing essentials: both virtual and brick-and-mortar solutions
    • Explore self-publishing outlets like Amazon and IngramSpark – and understand how their competitive natures can help or harm your efforts
    • And more!

    Christy A. Schmidt, Esq. has served as a professor and instructor for over thirty years. A graduate of Emerson College and Rutgers University School of Law, she prides herself on guiding students to master all areas of communication. The warm reception for her self-published novel, Treasure, based on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, inspired her to retire from a twenty-year law practice to follow creative pursuits. Her texts, Talk it Out: Mastering Critical Discourse and No Words: Mastering Nonverbal Communication assist students and professionals with critical thinking, perception and public presentation. Among her other works is her photo-exploration, To A Lighthouse which delights juveniles and adults with beautiful photos of each New Jersey lighthouse and engaging family-bonding exercises. She serves as an adjunct at both Kean and Monmouth Universities, offers private workshops for professionals, operates a portrait studio, manages a virtual art gallery, and continues to publish fiction and nonfiction work.

  • Podcasting for Beginners

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – Oct. 21, Oct. 28, and Nov. 4 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    In this three-session virtual course taught by Robert Rodriguez, students will learn how to produce a podcast from the planning stage to the final upload. From developing a concept to basic recording technology, post-production and finally launching onto Apple and Spotify the course will provide step-by-step instruction to producing your own podcast! No previous podcasting experience is required.

    Robert Rodriguez, host of the podcast Something About the Beatles podcast, is an award-winning author; penning or contributing to a dozen books. He’s written extensively about The Beatles: five books so far, including the latest Solo in the 70s and 2012’s acclaimed Revolver: How The Beatles Reimagined Rock ‘N’ Roll. He’s also contributed numerous articles to Beatlefan magazine, and has been a regular interviewee on radio and TV about the group.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Writing Memoir

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This three-session virtual course, taught by Mike Farragher, provides attendees with an introduction to basic modes for telling the stories of their lives. Working in a supportive workshop setting, students will enjoy engaging, wide-ranging discussion about the joys and challenges of bringing their memories to life.

    Instructor: Mike Farragher, Monmouth University alumnus and author of numerous works of fiction and memoir.

    Whether you have dreams of being a bestselling author or you’re committed to creating your life story as an heirloom for future generations of your family, memoir writing can be a rewarding endeavor to help make sense of your life journey.If you’ve ever said aloud, “I should write a book someday,” but didn’t know where to begin, this course will get you on the road to fulfilling that creative dream.

    This course will explore how to get started, tools to overcome lack of confidence and overwhelm, provide creative writing prompts, and instill a disciplined process essential for success that has produced proven results for unknown and known authors alike.

    Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

  • History of Philadelphia Soul

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – Sept. 9, Sept. 16 and Sept. 23 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This three-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole, traces the history of Philadelphia or “Philly” Soul, which greatly impacted not only the sound of 70s soul but the development of disco. Its lush string arrangements, horns, seductive vocals, and varied lyrical content added an element of sophistication to funk and soul, paving the way for disco and the 1990s neo-soul movement.

    The class will begin with influences such as Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” production, Motown’s pop/soul gloss, and James Brown’s “on the one” funk. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the chief architects of the Philly Soul sound, will be explored in depth, as their compositions and productions resulted in classics by the O’Jays, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, and Billy Paul. The duo would also form the Philadelphia International label, whose legendary house band MFSB helped craft the sound. Along the way, the sound helped create disco and influenced acts as diverse as David Bowie, Hall and Oates, and Jill Scott. In addition to multimedia presentations, group discussions will further enhance understanding of this greatly influential genre.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Poetry Appreciation

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – May 13 , May 20 and May 27 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This three-session virtual course, taught by Michael Thomas, provides attendees with an introduction to the craft of poetry, while also carefully considering poems that have been deeply meaningful to our lives.

    Our current culture asks that we move quickly, while poetry demands the opposite– that we slow down and explore life experiences with careful reflection and deeper understanding.

    While you may not be an experienced reader or writer of poems, this course will introduce methods of writing and reading that we hope will help you to take steps in developing an ear and eye for great poems and how, by inhabiting the poems you experience joys in reading.

    “Poetry and poetry alone has saved my life,” wrote the poet, Anne Sexton. There is evidence of lyric poetry in every language and in every culture throughout history. It is with this fact that we can approach poetry as a vital force in our lives, not as a genre of literature reserved only for those with special talents.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Understanding Climate Change

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – April 22, April 29 and May 6 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    In this three-session virtual course taught by Heide Estes, students will learn about the nature of climate change and its evolving effects on humankind and the future of planet earth. Students will discuss powerful ways in which we can stem the tide of climate change on personal, local, and national levels.

    Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

  • Songwriting: Unlocking Your Creativity

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – April 1, 8 and 15 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This three session virtual course, taught by Jay Sweet, provides participants with techniques to help give directions and creative elements that will help unlock the potential of active and aspiring songwriters. The workshop will also provide a supportive outlet for those songwriters looking to share their works for evaluation or for those looking to learn from others’ processes.

    Instructor: Jay Sweet is a Professor of Music who has produced several pieces for television and radio. He is also the proud owner and director of Sweet Music Academy, where he has helped to train hundreds of musicians.Whether you are a hobbyist or someone looking to pursue a career in songwriting, this course will help you find new avenues and directions to enhance your craft. For those who wish to do so, there will also be opportunities for students to share their songs in a workshop setting.

    Throughout the course, Sweet will provide examples and analysis of songs, techniques, and creative concepts that will be presented. Over the three weeks, we will discuss the process of developing and recording a song and the many different avenues that can be taken to make your music polished and presentable.

    Zoom link will be provided upon registration.

  • Writing Memoir – New course added!

    ADDITIONAL COURSE ADDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!!
    Class Schedule: Thursdays – March 11, 18 and 25 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM

    This three-session virtual course provides attendees with an introduction to basic modes for telling the stories of their lives. Working in a supportive workshop setting, students will enjoy engaging, wide-ranging discussion about the joys and challenges of bringing their memories to life. Instructor: Mike Farragher, Monmouth University alumnus and author of numerous works of fiction and memoir.

    Whether you have dreams of being a bestselling author or you’re committed to creating your life story as an heirloom for future generations of your family, memoir writing can be a rewarding endeavor to help make sense of your life journey.If you’ve ever said aloud, “I should write a book someday,” but didn’t know where to begin, this course will get you on the road to fulfilling that creative dream.
    This course will explore how to get started, tools to overcome lack of confidence and overwhelm, provide creative writing prompts, and instill a disciplined process essential for success that has produced proven results for unknown and known authors alike.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • Writing Memoir

    This event is sold out.
    An additional course has been added due to popular demand!     March 11 – 25 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM

    Class Schedule: Thursdays – Feb. 18, Feb. 25 and Mar. 4 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    This three-session virtual course provides attendees with an introduction to basic modes for telling the stories of their lives. Working in a supportive workshop setting, students will enjoy engaging, wide-ranging discussion about the joys and challenges of bringing their memories to life. Instructor: Mike Farragher, Monmouth University alumnus and author of numerous works of fiction and memoir.

    Whether you have dreams of being a bestselling author or you’re committed to creating your life story as an heirloom for future generations of your family, memoir writing can be a rewarding endeavor to help make sense of your life journey.If you’ve ever said aloud, “I should write a book someday,” but didn’t know where to begin, this course will get you on the road to fulfilling that creative dream.
    This course will explore how to get started, tools to overcome lack of confidence and overwhelm, provide creative writing prompts, and instill a disciplined process essential for success that has produced proven results for unknown and known authors alike.

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

  • History of Motown

    Class Schedule: Thursdays –  January 28, February 4 and February 11 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

    In 1959, a young songwriter named Berry Gordy started a record company with an $800 loan from his family. That company, Motown, would not only become the first Black-owned label to reach widespread national success; it would substantially transform music and culture.  This three-week course explores the evolution of the label, from its beginnings through its 1960s heyday featuring acts like the Supremes, the Four Tops, and the Temptations. The 1970s brought political statements, youthful pop, and disco, while the 1980s ushered in funk and smooth R&B. Through multimedia presentations and discussions, this three-session virtual course, taught by Kit O’Toole, will cover all these eras, enhancing understanding of Motown’s history and enduring legacy.

    Kit O’Toole, Ed.D. is the author of Michael Jackson FAQ: All That’s Left to Know about the King of Pop and Songs We Were Singing: Guided Tours through the Beatles’ Lesser-Known Tracks. Her writing has appeared on several websites, and she has guested on several music podcasts. She also cohosts the biweekly show “Talk More Talk: A Solo Beatles Videocast.”

    Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.