Classes at The MUSE
Southern Noir to Grit Lit
Simply put, Southern Literature is complex—not Scarlett O’Hara’s plantation or Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha County, but both. Recently, this traditional Southern Gothic literature has given way to Southern Noir, complete with sex, violence, and bad choices, as seen in works by S. A. Cosby. Another popular new genre is Grit Lit. Set in small towns with hard characters battling to survive poverty, prejudice, and violence, Grit Lit has taken off. Think Harry Crews. This is not your usual Southern Literature class. Can you take it? Sure, come on in and set a spell.
Please note: This class or event will be held online (using Zoom or a similar live platform)
Prerequisite: Open to writers of all levels of experience
Saturday, April 11, 2026 @ 1:00 pm EDT - 3:30 pm EDT $65
Scholarships available
Events with rolling entry all year:
Life as a Writer - Presentation to Group (1Hr)
One-on-One Writing Coach (Hybrid*)
The Month of Generative Writing - One on One (Hybrid*)
Developmental Editing Short Stories (Contact for Rates)
Contact directly for fees and current workshop offerings at email: nhwilliard@nhwilliard.com
*Hybrid means in person if possible or on Zoom if not.
Background:
After 50 years of work as an educator and librarian, Nancy H. Williard has an MFA from Queens University of Charlotte, an MLS from the University of Tennessee, and a BA in Education and English from Rhodes College at Memphis. She has taught at all levels including college. Most recently in 2021, her story won an Honorable Mention in the Doris Betts Fiction Prize. Her prose works have been published by North Caroline Literary Review, the Pisgah Review, The Southern Review of Books, and others.