THE PET PROJECT: WRITING ABOUT OUR OTHER BABIES with Ashley Harris
WEBINAR DATE: Friday, June 19, 2026
WEBINAR TIME: 2pm - 4pm ET
DURATION: 2 Hours
LOCATION: Live webinar via Zoom
FEEDBACK: The last 15 minutes of the lecture will be open to Q&A. Students can also send questions ahead of time, to be addressed during the lecture.
SPECIAL OPTION: Receive a personal critique from the instructor of 3 double-spaced pages of your writing within two weeks of the class. This includes at least one submission recommendation.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: It’s no coincidence that the world’s best writers make room in their hearts and pages for animals, from Mark Twain (who kept an alligator) to Emily Dickinson (who had a dog) and Ernest Hemingway (whose cats still roam Key West). In this class, we’ll read pet-driven poetry and prose written by the masters, and we’ll also generate at least three pieces (poetry and prose) inspired by our own furry (or scaly or feathery) babies. Finally, we'll discuss tips for completing, polishing, and submitting your work for publication. For an additional fee, the instructor will provide a personal critique of 3 double-spaced pages of your writing along with targeted submission recommendations.
This live Zoom webinar starts and ends on Friday, June 19, 2026.
Time: 11 AM - 1 PM PT | 12-2 PM MT | 1-3 PM CT | 2-4 PM ET
The webinar can be viewed on a tablet, phone, or computer (both Mac and PC).
The instructor will record the class and have it available for anyone who would prefer to view the class at a different time and date.
Format
This course is offered via Zoom webinar. Webinars are workshops given online, where you can view the instructor and websites/materials she shares on her screen, making it an interactive experience. Webinars make learning from your home or office convenient.
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Thanks so much, Ashley!! This class (Shaping Creative Nonfiction) was super helpful and enjoyable, and I can't wait to get started using your ideas and tips. I've read a number of books on writing technique and have taken quite a few writing courses. I am also a professional content editor. I love "nuts and bolts" material, and your workshop did not disappoint! - Marlene Martzke
Ashley, I thought your class (Shaping Nonfiction) was fabulous! I'm thrilled I did sign up and look forward to working with you more. So exciting! —Mary Anne Trause
Thank you, Ashley, for sharing so much valuable information and for leading such an enjoyable webinar. By the way, I really enjoyed the prompts, too. —Carol Raitt
This was excellent! Thanks so much, Ashley! Thank you for your generosity in sharing so much information.—Diane Angelucci
Thank you, Ashley. Your ideas were very helpful. I’m eager to put them into use! —Jo Prouty
I really enjoyed the Humor Writing Class. You gave us very valuable information, and I already put several of the books that you recommended on hold at my local library. I also appreciate your critique of my essay, which was very helpful. - Kristi Scorcio
Aloha Ashley! I thoroughly enjoyed the Poetry Express. It was my first experience with a WOW class, and I loved it. Loved the prompts and the inspirational pieces you shared. The submission suggestions and bit of education were helpful as well! I've been writing for a long time but am new to the submission process so that was especially appreciated. I also appreciated your kind feedback on my poems, and I can't wait to polish these off and submit them very soon! -Sonya Yamaguchi Ashley, thanks so much for a wonderful learning experience. Your prompts have given me ideas for multiple essays. I'm hoping to take your humor workshop, too.—Diane Judge
Thanks so much for this seminar and for the readings you shared. I hugely enjoyed both essays, and not only was the class chock-full of practicable lessons, but your writing prompts ended up generating two full pages of really interesting material I had no idea was in me! - Râna Campbell
Oh Ashley, I had a great time in your humor writing class (even though I was the quiet one...it's just my way)! Between the PowerPoint with those three prompts, and everything you shared, the sparks of inspiration were flying! I was scribbling like mad, and hope that I'll be able to read my notes! - Laurie Miller
Thanks for the recording of Shaping Creative Nonfiction with a Narrative Arc. I listen and then I watch and listen again. I'm revising a memoir. Your suggestions are very helpful. Hoping I'm on the right track! I've done many workshops on Zoom. Yours by far has been the most helpful to me! --Robin Allen
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CLASS AT A GLANCE:
Live Webinar: The Pet Project: Writing About Our Other Babies
Duration: 120 minutes
In two hours, an encouraging teacher (and the mama of four dogs and a cat) will share excerpts from works featuring pets that will inspire you immediately. She’ll discuss how our writing can bring our other babies to life and memorialize them after they’re gone, as well as provide tips for incorporating them into current pieces. She’ll also cover the “faux-paws” often associated with pet writing and how to avoid them. For an extra fee, you can have your work critiqued by the instructor and receive targeted submission recommendations within two weeks of the class.
Topics include:
- Excerpts from famous writers about their pets and what we can learn from them
- How incorporating pets into our work can bring unexpected dimensions to any project
- How to characterize pets without resorting to sappiness and generalizations that can turn away readers
- Three prompts to generate poetry and prose on your own
- Overview of outlets to publish your work
- Recommended books featuring pet writing to continue to inspire you
- Q & A
Materials Needed: A pen or pencil, a writing pad, and your imagination. (A pet – or photo - by your side is optional but highly recommended.)
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Ashley Harris is a poet and teacher whose first poetry collection, Waiting for the Wood Thrush, described by acclaimed poet Ruth Moose as “witty, wise and overflowing with life and color” debuted in 2019 (Finishing Line Press). She is the proud official mama of five dogs and one long-suffering cat but considers herself caretaker of the bees, butterflies, birds, deer, turtles, lizards and snakes that share her world. Her work featuring animals has been published in Solstice Literary Magazine, O. Henry, Carve, Food and Gardening Network, and most recently Sasee Magazine published Formula One Dog, an essay about her rescue of Max, an abandoned husky. Since 2021, she’s served as a critique editor and judge for WOW’s quarterly fiction and nonfiction contests, and her favorite hobby, by far, is helping other writers achieve their publication dreams.
BUY NOW: The Pet Project: Writing About Our Other Babies with Ashley Harris (Friday, June 19, 2026, 2pm - 4pm ET) Limit: 20 students. Early registration is recommended.
COST: $40, which includes one two-hour webinar with a 15-minute Q&A with your instructor.
OPTIONAL CRITIQUE ADD-ON: A personal critique from the instructor of 3
double-spaced pages of your writing for $55 ($95 total). Select from the drop-down menu.
This class is full. Please check out our current list of classes here.
Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name and email address will be submitted to your instructor. She will send you a welcome email with everything you need to know prior to class. Before class begins, we will email you a Zoom link. Happy writing!
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Additional Testimonials for Ashley Harris:
I have taken multiple classes with Ashley and have also worked with her one-on-one. She is a generous teacher, a thoughtful editor, and heck of a lot of fun to be around. As an often-published writer herself, she has a knack for knowing what readers want. And as a "submission queen," she was my first call as I finished my MFA and sought homes for my essays. Thanks Ashley! ~ Cathia Friou
This is a giant candy-coated “Thank You” for your lovely and generous critique of my story “The Wanderer” in the Summer 2024 WOW! Women On Writing contest. My story was selected as a finalist (in a huge field of finalists). Your kind words and comments were a true prize to me! Again, thank you for giving me a real boost and inspiration to keep on scribbling. ~ Anna “A.K.” McCutcheon
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful critique of my short story, “I Dropped the Turkey.” As you suggested, I gave more of a backstory for Blina and her family and filled in the history of Joe Montero. I always appreciate your spot-on input. ~ Susan Strauss
Ashley is an amazing teacher and editor! I’ve workshopped my creative nonfiction, fiction, and lyric prose with Ashley over the years and her advice is always spot on and chock-full of encouragement. She is one of the most positive and inspiring people I know! Her market recommendations are gold, and I’ve landed quite a few publications from her suggestions. If you’re looking for a true partner who wants the best for your work, I highly recommend working with Ashley Harris. ~ Angela Mackintosh
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Questions? Email Marcia & Angela at:
classroom[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com
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