Essays on Suicide

NEITHER LECTURE NOR WORKSHOP, THIS CLASS GIVES TIME TO READ, DISCUSS, AND RESPOND IN WRITING TO ESSAYS ON THIS TABOO SUBJECT.

WHEN:  ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, TWO HOURS

💡 WHO IT'S FOR: Those who want space to read lots of different perspectives on this topic, talk about in the company of a class, and write about it within the safety of timed prompts.

👛 PRICE: Class is $150 sliding scale, see bottom of the page for details

🚚 WHEN YOU SIGN UP: You'll receive access to all class content, including the readings, class slides, class recording, and a copy of the chat. You'll have forever access to it all.

⭐ FIVE REASONS TO TAKE THIS CLASS ⭐

1. Community. You're also writing about and/or reading about su*c*de and would like some company.
2. Curiosity. You have a curiosity about the subject, objectively, and would like a safe place to discuss the thoughts and feelings you have about it.
3. Legacy. You're interested in the family legacy of su*c*de, and want to look at how other writers have described that experience and made meaning of it.
4. A safe container. You would like a container in which to approach this subject and some timed prompts to hold you while you attempt to write about it.
5. Discovery. You're looking to find something of your experience in the voices of writers you love, admire, or have never heard of.

Sliding scale and payment plans are available. See bottom of the page for details.

TESTIMONIALS

It’s more than just a writing workshop; it could help someone feel less alone in their processing thoughts and feelings around suicide. I learned that forthrightness in addressing difficult, painful, or taboo topics is an effective salve; and also was introduced to new writers. The readings were excellent, and sparked conversation. -- 2023 student

Katie is such a thoughtful and generous instructor. Her classes are full of well-designed exercises and rich research. In a space that is both trauma-informed and risk-taking, we can access larger cultural conversations about writing history, family, lineage. I appreciate all her encouragement, wisdom, and community-knowledge-power! -- Celeste Chan, 2023-2024 Hugo House Fellow

I have been so fortunate to learn from Katie Lee Ellison. Katie is as talented a teacher as she is a writer, and her thoughtful insights into creative nonfiction have helped me grow tremendously as an artist. Her brilliant reading selections expanded my sense of possibility, and she encourages truth telling in a way that is full of both care and courage. I am forever grateful to her. -- Lindsey Trout Hughes, Assistant Books Editor, Barrelhouse 

Katie is a warm and wise instructor. She curates a diverse and illuminating syllabus, and steers her courses with grace and expertise. You will come away from her class a better writer, thinker, and human. -- Catherine Carberry

💐 MY BELIEF AND HOPE IN THIS COURSE'S IMPACT

I've lost family and friends to su*c*de, and I've written about it. I'll probably write about it again. In the meantime, I've been reading about it, mostly essays and memoirs by those who've survived it or survived someone who is now gone, and I've found that they make good company sometimes and provide some understanding I didn't have before.

I've created this class to make a space where conversation about that writing can happen within the safety and exploration of an artist community. Both the writers we'll read and the readers in class will help each other to break down stigmas, taboos, and other damaging barriers to deeper understanding, connection, and support, even if it's only within ourselves.

THIS SESSION IS HOSTED LIVE ON ZOOM AND IS TWO HOURS IN LENGTH

CLASS OVERVIEW

In these two or so hours, we'll read excerpts from Blake Butler, Victoria Chang, Vi Khi Nao, and others. We'll read essays from writers who've attempted su*c*de and survived as well as those who haven't; writers who've lost family, friends, and partners to suicide; philosophers; and writers with a legacy of su*c*de in their families. We'll respond to timed prompts on topic with the readings. The chat will always be open for questions, and we'll make time for class discussion both through the chat and on camera.

In class, you'll:

• ​Get a safe container for discussion, investigation, and inquiry on su*c*de
• Discover voices you haven't heard on the subject
• ​Explore how writing can be a comforting way in to the subject
• ​Examine some of your thoughts on the subject via timed in-session prompts
• Be among others wanting to learn and understand more about su*c*de
• Get a long list of essays and materials to read before and after class
• Take away extra prompts to use later
• Have lifetime access to the materials and recording

➡️ READY 4 CLASS : Discount codes with no questions asked available at the bottom of this page

CLASS MATERIALS AND TOPICS

We'll read and/or work with excerpts from, but not limited to:

📚 Victoria Chang's DEAR MEMORY: LETTERS ON WRITING, SILENCE, AND GRIEF

📚 E.J. Koh's THE MAGICAL LANGUAGE OF OTHERS

📚 Vi Khi Nao's SUICIDE: THE AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER OF THE PSYCHE

📚 Juliet Patterson's SINKHOLE: A LEGACY OF SUICIDE

📚 Concetta Principe's STARS NEED COUNTING: ESSAYS ON SUICIDE

📚 Molly Brodak's BANDIT: A DAUGHTER'S MEMOIR

📚 Blake Butler's "Molly"

📚 Anthony Veasna So's "Baby Yeah"

📚 many, many others

Prompts include:

💬 What does su*c*de do to a family? To friends? To the person gone and those left behind?

💬 What is the collective meaning of a su*c*de?

💬 Reasons we stay alive

and other topics based on the readings.

🦄 A FREE OFFERING 🦄

Easing in to a hard topic is a document that will introduce the tone of the class, how we'll approach this subject through writing, what kind of prompts you'll receive, offer a few short excerpts from class material, and provide an early into look into how we'll be in community with each other during these two hours and beyond.

👋 WHO IS TEACHING THIS CLASS

Katie Lee Ellison has been teaching for over a decade, including classes at Hugo House, Imprint Books, and London Writers Salon. She's published essays at The Seventh Wave, Shenandoah, Moss, Manifest Station, and elsewhere. She's been a mentor at Girls Write Now and gathers writers at all stages through her curation of the bi-monthly Seattle-based reading series, Nonfiction for No Reason.

She is a Scorpio moon and loves to go deep alone and in company, and is a great guide and companion for others who also like that or who don't go often.

☮️ ABOUT THE CONTAINER ☮️

I’m not a therapist, mental health professional, trauma-informed facilitator, or any other credentialed human who could take on the depths that may arise from this work, but I will help you find resources to get what you need.

WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR

📌 Anyone reading or writing about su*c*de who wants company in their thoughts and feelings on the subject via collective reflection and reference points via published authors. 

📌 Anyone with an objective curiosity about the subject and the ways it’s been written about in the nonfiction genre. 

📌 Those who want to learn more about the experience of being su*c*dal or being close to someone who is. 

📌 Those who want to discuss the topic without taboo or social norms getting in the way. 

🌻 WHO THIS CLASS IS NOT FOR 🌻

Anyone who is contemplating or concerned they might contemplate su*c*de. If you’re in such a tender place, please find those who can help you get what you need. 🤍

🌻 National Suicide Hotline, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Hours: Available 24 hours. English, Spanish.

🌻 Text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line.

🌻 Project LETS

☀️ REGISTRATION IS OPEN ☀️

Accountability is a way to expand our devotion and commitments : consider sharing the link to class with a friend to join you. The more folks in class, the lower the barriers of taboo, stereotype, and stigma.

FAQ’S

Q : If I can't make the live date can I still take the class sometime?

A : Yes! The class will be recorded, so whenever you sign up, you get immediate access to the class outline and the reading material. The recording will be available after class on October 24, 2023, and then it's yours forever. So you can buy now or later, and always take the class.

Q : Do I need to do any of the reading ahead of time?

A : It sure can't hurt, but absolutely not. Time in class will be all you need, and if you want company for these readings, just wait until class time, recorded or live, to dive in.

Q : How do I know if I qualify for a discount?

A : You don't have to qualify. I have a no-questions-asked policy. I trust you'll use the discount that best suits your income level and takes into account the value of the class.

Q : Is there a workshop element to the class?

A : This structure of the class isn't made for workshopping, however, my hope is that connections are made through the class. I may also offer a Discord channel for participants, and would encourage you to ask around about workshopping if there was someone in class whose comments or questions were compelling to you!

A NOTE ABOUT PAYMENT

The class is $150 with a sliding scale down to $50.

Payment plans and scholarships are available for all marginalized students with financial need.

TO PAY A DISCOUNTED RATE: On the checkout page, you can select any discount between $50 and $150. Please know that I offer these for those who need them, and that these classes are a primary source of income for me. If you can afford the full amount, it helps me pay my most essential bills.

All that said, if you need a discount, please take advantage.

The discount code for $50 is EOS50.

The discount code for $100 is EOS100.

You will be automatically charged. You're encouraged to choose whatever number is best for you.

TO CREATE A PAYMENT PLAN: If you need a different price than what's available or you need to pay in installments, please email me at katie dot lee dot ellison at gmail. I'm happy to work with you on a payment plan or other discounted rate. I don't want price to be a barrier for taking the class if you feel motivated to do the work.

Pricing created through guidance/class from Marlee Grace.