Fay Jacobs
Fay, a native New Yorker, spent 30 years in Washington, DC working in journalism, public relations and theater. She is the publisher of A&M Books, a successor to the legendary Naiad Press. Her first book, As I Lay Frying – a Rehoboth Beach Memoir (2004) is in its 3rd printing. A second essay collection, Fried & True – Tales from Rehoboth Beach won the 2008 National Federation of Press Women Book of the Year for humor. Her latest, For Frying Out Loud – Rehoboth Beach Diaries won a ForeWord Reviews Humor Book of the Year, a Goldie Award, Independent Publishers Award, American Library Association Over the Rainbow award and the 2011 National Federation of Press Women Book of the Year Award.
Fay teaches classes in humor writing, editing and memoir and has written for The Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, Delaware Beach Life, Delaware Today, The Advocate, Curve Magazine and more. She is also a publishing and editing consultant. She lives in Rehoboth with Bonnie, her partner of 30 years. Contact Fay at www.aandmbooks.com.
Here's what you said about Fay's classes
Fay teaches classes in humor writing, editing and memoir and has written for The Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, Delaware Beach Life, Delaware Today, The Advocate, Curve Magazine and more. She is also a publishing and editing consultant. She lives in Rehoboth with Bonnie, her partner of 30 years. Contact Fay at www.aandmbooks.com.
Here's what you said about Fay's classes
- Was I guided or misguided? How could I know? All I knew was I’d not taken a writing class since college, had made my living as a commercial writer, was decidedly not interested in writing a novel, but was interested in some sort of personal writing. Call it guidance or call it a fool’s errand, after some foot-dragging and a spate of nerves, I decided to test the waters with Fay’s memoir class. I’d read her books and articles in Beach Life and elsewhere, thought her witty, insightful, self-aware. I figured if nothing else I’d find some humor along the way. What I found was more. Much more. From the first class when I was floundering to answer why I was even there, to the end when I had a clear plan for writing about my large rollicking Irish family plus several finished pieces, I was launched. With clarity, humor and gentle guidance Fay expertly coaxed the best out of each of us, adapting to wherever we were along the writing path, some more advanced, me well back of the memoir starting line. Fay provided tips and techniques such as an overall lifeline with ways to trigger memories, rules to learn and how to break them, memoir styles; editing guidelines, practical applications with failsafe exercises and insightful questions. Fay’s illuminating manner and keen editing generated confidence. I saw my writing and that of my classmates become clearer, sharp and focused. Almost invisibly the writers moved forward, easily, gracefully, with scant hand-wringing or angst—only insight, anticipation and did I mention fun?—Ginny Daly
- Fay set the tone the first evening. This class would be informal and fun and she promised to get us all writing. As she went around the room, each one of us seemed to have tons of ideas for writing about our lives but everyone needed help with organizing the ideas into an interesting story. And we all talked about needing discipline to keep writing. Fay advised us to just write our ideas down—to create first and edit later. Then she gave us practical advice on how to edit. She urged us to use active voice--not passive, to use colorful and interesting words, and to write like we talk. She emphasized that while a memoir is the perception of the author, it must be accurate. On the other hand, a good memoir incorporates elements of fiction writing to make it appealing. For example, a story arc with a beginning, middle and end or using humor even when the story is serious or even sad. Fay reviewed everything we wrote and provided quick feedback and editing. She cut out the superficial, added action verbs and interesting dialog. She was generous with praise. She often started class reading an example of excellent writing by one of us. Talk about motivation! Because she encouraged us to read our work, we got to know each others’ stories and came to class eager to hear the next chapter when the family member or the story became familiar. We listened to each other, asked questions, and gave advice. The environment was completely comfortable but structured enough to motivate us to write something every week and to improve. Now that we are writing, we asked to continue next semester. I highly recommend this class to people interested in writing their stories who need advice and inspiration from a professional writer, publisher, and teacher. —Sherri Wright