Desired Essays: An Online Writing Workshop

Desired Essays invites emerging, practicing, or published writers into the editorial spirit of Desired Landscapes – a space for personal, experimental, sharp, and concise writing.

↘ You’ll learn how to craft text with the same attention to form, angle, and tone that defined the magazine.  

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This workshop is not just about writing, but about editing as a form of thinking. Experimenting with words to capture the sense of place, at the intersection of the poetic and the critical – what we like to call poetic academia.

Day 1: Define the topic (intro to the Desired editorial framework, ideation methods, discussion, free writing)

Day 2: Sharpen the angle (strengthen structure and references, meet a Desired writer, edit the first draft)

Day 3: Craft the story (finishing touches on tone and expression, killing your darlings, preparing to publish on Desired Landscapes)

• 3 live sessions of guided editorial work
  Selected readings, free writing, editorial guidelines, and hands-on editing tips.
• In-class writing & feedback
  Time to write, share, and receive direct feedback. Group discussions and peer edits, plus a guest visit by a Desired Landscapes contributor.
• Resources to take away
  References, checklists and methods to guide your practice beyond the workshop.
• An intimate group
  Capped at 12 participants, so every voice is heard.  

Leave with 1 edited essay
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have one edited essay – and the tools to continue writing with confidence and momentum.

↘ Selected pieces will be published in a new print pocket format.

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Group A: Mondays, 6–9 pm EET
Dates: 26 January, 2 and 9 February
A focused way to kickstart your week with writing momentum.
Best for Europe and the Americas. 

Group B: Sundays, 6 – 9 pm EET
Dates: 1, 8 and 15 February
A cozy way to end your weekend with writing focus.

Language: English
Location: online
Seats: Limited to 12 participants, so every voice is heard
Duration: 3 hours x 3 classes
Homework: minimum 1 hour weekly

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Instructor 
Anastasia Pappa is the founder, publisher, and editor of Desired Landscapes – a publishing project exploring cities through magazines, maps, walking tours, and writing clubs. With a background in graphic design, she has spent the past decade teaching design and design writing, next to her research on visual culture, oral history, urbanism, and the vernacular. Her work has been featured in The Guardian, Monocle, AIGA Eye on Design, Lonely Planet, and more.

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The full journey: 3 live sessions
This workshop is intentionally priced to remain accessible to writers at different stages and from different backgrounds. I trust you to choose with honesty.

Standard — €240
Reflects the time, preparation, and close editorial attention each participant receives.

Reduced — €144 
Reduced places are intentionally limited and meant for students or those currently unable to meet the full fee.

Supporter — €300
Supporter spots help sustain Desired Landscapes and make reduced places possible.

If you wish an invoice instead of a receipt, leave a note.

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You’re not just entering a writing workshop – you’re joining an intimate group of emerging, practicing, or published writers who want structured time, thoughtful feedback, and a shared commitment to writing.

↘ This is not a course you consume. It’s a space you actively participate in.

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Please note: because the groups are intentionally small, bookings are non-refundable and non-cancellable. Your fee helps sustain this shared moment, and your presence is what keeps its magic alive. Swaps between groups aren’t possible to protect the flow and dynamic of our group work. If you have to miss a class, let me know in advance and I'll do my best to keep you on track.