Desired Essays: Summer Intensive

Led by Anastasia Pappa
founder of Desired Landscapes

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.  

 

COURSE OUTLINE

Experiment 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: Craft the angle (approach your topic, research for references, meet a Desired writer, edit the first draft)

Day 3: Sharpen the structure (find your voice, design the pace, kill your darlings)

Day 4: Prepare to publish (finishing touches on tone and expression, preparing to publish on Desired Landscapes)

• 4 live sessions of guided editorial work
  Selected readings, free writing, editorial guidelines, and hands-on editing tips.
• In-class writing and personal feedback
  Time to write, share, and receive direct feedback on every session. 
• 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.  

a little extra 
Chance to get published: If your text will be selected to be part of the Desired Essays publication, more rounds of feedback will follow to perfect it for print.

This workshop is not just about writing, but about editing as a form of thinking.

 

SUMMER INTENSIVE DETAILS
Dates: 3,5,7 and 9 August, 5–7 pm EEST
Language: English
Location: online on Zoom (no recordings to express freely)
Seats: Limited to 12 participants, so every voice is heard
Duration: 2 hours x 4 classes
Homework: minimum 1 hour per class. To stay in the zone, I suggest blocking an extra hour after class.

 

TAKEAWAYS

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. 

Get published on Desired Landscapes
Every year, a publication emerges gathering the most fascinating writings from all the sessions. By entering this workshop, you claim a place on the Desired printed pages.

Join our private alumni writing community
After the end of the workshop, you’ll be invited to our WhatsApp group, where we keep the writing momentum flowing with reading recommendations, publication opportunities, and extra writing prompts to apply to any city.

↘ With this course, you’re joining an intimate group of emerging, practicing, or published writers who want structured time, thoughtful feedback, and a shared commitment to writing.

 

INSTRUCTOR

Anastasia Pappa is the founder, publisher, and editor of Desired Landscapes – a publishing project documenting the sense of place. Combining her decade-long career in teaching design writing with research into visual culture, oral history, and urbanism, Anastasia extends her editorial vision into walking tours and writing workshops. Her work has been featured in leading publications such as Monocle, The Guardian, Lonely Planet, and AIGA Eye on Design.

 

TUITION FEES

The full journey: 4 live sessions and personal feedback
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 — €360
Reflects the time, preparation, and close editorial attention each participant receives.

Reduced — €240 
Reduced places are intentionally limited and meant for students or those currently unable to meet the full fee.

Supporter — €444
Supporter spots help sustain Desired Landscapes and make reduced places possible.

Pay in 2 installments — €240 + €120
Offering this option to anyone who needs it. It only applies to the Standard fee. Pay €240 upfront and €120 before the third week of the workshop.

> Invoices instead of receipts always work better. Please leave a note if you wish one for your expenses.

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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.

If you must cancel, I can accept someone to take your place. If you must miss a class, let me know in advance and I'll do my best to keep you on track.