The study of fiction invites us to enter imaginative narratives and confront the challenges of being human. English 104Z provides opportunities for the appreciation of fiction, including deeper awareness of craft and insight into how reading fiction can lead to self-enrichment. Students read a variety of types of fiction, from diverse perspectives and eras, and develop their skills in discussion, literary analysis and critical thinking. This is a non-credit Community Education class taken with credit students. You will not receive college credit.

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January 6, 2026 to March 19, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:50pm PST | Bend
January 6, 2026 to March 19, 2026 | 10:00am-11:50am PST |

This course examines diverse modes of autobiographical writing as texts that represent the self in society and where writers construct and represent memories. Explores the ways in which writers construct and represent memory and the impact these narratives have on our understanding of the political and cultural context in which they are produced. Explores autobiography from various places and periods. This is a non-credit Community Education class, taken with credit students. You will not receive college credit.

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January 5, 2026 to March 22, 2026 | 12:00am-11:50pm PST | Online

If you are writing or have written your fiction novel or memoir and want to learn about the next steps toward publication, this course will show you what is needed to acquire an agent or publisher. You will learn how to write a pitch, query letter, long and short synopsis, potential back cover blurb and more.

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May 7, 2026 to June 11, 2026 | 5:00pm-7:00pm PDT | Bend

This course focuses on the significance of science, technology, and on such topics as the idea of the future and the "limits of the human" as revealed in popular culture through genres such as fiction, film, music, comics, anime and manga and advertising. This is a non-credit Community Education course, taken with credit students. You will not receive college credit.

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January 5, 2026 to March 18, 2026 | 10:00am-11:50am PST | Redmond

This course is a historical study of crime stories and the detective figure as revealed in popular culture through genres such as fiction, film, television, comics and journalism. This is a non-credit Community Education course, taken with credit students. You will not receive college credit.

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January 6, 2026 to March 19, 2026 | 3:00pm-4:50pm PST | Prineville

Substack is the newest trend to hit the publishing world. It is an easy, online way for anyone to make an income by writing. Many big-name authors, journalists and personalities have started their own Substack publications. The good news is that you don't have to be a big name, have a large following or be tech-savvy to get yourself started. All you need is you! In this class, learn how to start your own Substack publication, how to get paid to write and how to leverage this new platform for your creative dreams.

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Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 5:00pm-8:00pm PDT | Bend

This course introduces the many forms and purposes of creative nonfiction such as science or nature writing, travel writing, memoir, biography and journalistic essay. Requires individual and collaborative workshop activities to develop skills in drafting and revision. Examines topics, purposes for writing and elements of craft, including voice, scene, description and structure. Requires creation of a portfolio of works reflecting various stages of their writing process. This is a non-credit Community Education course, taken with credit students. You will not receive college credit.

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January 9, 2026 to March 21, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:50pm PST | Redmond

Taught by experienced recipe creator, food and wine writer and restaurant critic, Dani Nichols, this class will help you write about the things you taste. Whether it is getting your mother's biscuit recipe out of your head and onto paper for future generations or reviewing a new hot spot in town for publication, this class will help you generate new ideas. Learn to pitch your food and drink pieces for publication and write descriptive, mouthwatering prose.

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Tuesday, March 17, 2026 | 5:00pm-8:00pm PDT | Bend

The western is an essential American writing style, and in this class you can bring your western-themed fiction or nonfiction for editorial feedback and expert guidance. Instructor Dani Nichols is an award-winning western author and can help you hone your work and create stylized western writing that elevates the genre. Samples of western fiction, nonfiction and children's literature will be available for inspiration and students are encouraged to come with a WIP or a story idea, as there will be writing and editing time in class.

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Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 5:00pm-8:00pm PST | Bend

In this course, learn essential building blocks for fiction and memoir, including plot, setting, theme, characterization, point-of-view and dialogue. What is the hero's journey and how does a writer develop a story concept into a page-turning bestseller? Award-winning author and college educator Kathryn Mattingly will inspire you to begin your novel, complete your first draft or reassess what you have written so far. Open to novel and memoir writers of all levels!

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February 12, 2026 to March 19, 2026 | 5:00pm-7:00pm PST | Bend