Dubbed by Brenda Miller and Suzanne Paola, the hermit crab essay is a lyrical essay that takes on the form of another structure (or shell) because the content of the essay itself is too vulnerable to stand on its own. These shells can be anywhere: grocery lists, recipes, crossword puzzles, car manuals, address books, SAT scores. 

In this four week course, we will be on the hunt for these “shells,” turn them over, look inside, and see what stories are waiting to come out. Writers will draft at least three hermit crab essays, and one polished essay.

Course Schedule:

• Week 1: How To Make A PBJ - Recipes, Crafts, and other Directions

  Week 2: How To Play Monopoly - Games, Sports, Puzzles

  Week 3: So I’m In My Map - Transform your habitat into story

  Week 4: Find Me - Revising, Editing, Sharing

Callie Feyen is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing, Children's Literature, and English Composition. She is also the author of The Teacher Diaries, and Twirl: My Life in Stories, Writing, & Clothes (TS Poetry Press). She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband Jesse, and their two daughters, Hadley and Harper.