Instructor Biography: 
MFA, PhD, and NEA Fellow whose short stories have appeared widely, is the author of Full of Life: A Biography of John Fante, an LA Times Best Book of the Year. He developed and coproduced the 2018 Netflix Original documentary Struggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski.
Instructor Statement:
Whether I am teaching Introduction to Fiction, Advanced Short Story Workshop, or anything in between, I encourage my students to read and write, and above all to rewrite the way that real writers know they must do—and then to take heart from their own successes. By attending to the words, the images, and the shape of manuscripts in an atmosphere of mutual and clear-eyed support, we collaborate in the construction not only of stories but also of writers themselves.
Our Students Say it Best!
“Stephen was a great instructor. He does a really good job of facilitating the class discussion while also providing his own valuable feedback. I would definitely recommend his class to others!” —Writers’ Program student
Watch a writing tip from Stephen:
Watch Stephen read from his work at the 2015 Writers’ Program Publication Party: