The Urgency and Intimacy of French Autofiction with Frances Badalamenti—July 19

Discover the intimate power of French autofiction in this generative craft workshop led by Frances Badalamenti

Through curated excerpts and essays shared in advance, we’ll explore the deeply personal, stylistically daring tradition of autofiction, with a special focus on French writers who pioneered and evolved the genre.

Together, we’ll examine the work of contemporary authors such as Marcel Proust, Roland Barthes, Marguerite Duras, Annie Ernaux, Édouard Louis, Hervé Guibert, Emmanuel Carrère, and Nina Bouraoui. Through group discussion, we’ll investigate how French autofiction blends personal narrative with broader cultural and political currents, and what sets it apart as a literary form.

The workshop will conclude with a guided writing exercise, giving you space to begin your own autofictional piece—something you can continue to develop after the session.

What you will learn

• A clear understanding of what autofiction is and how it functions as a literary form

• Insight into the origins and cultural significance of autofiction in France

• Familiarity with key French authors known for working in this genre

Course Takeaways

• Inspiration for your own reading and writing through the lens of autofiction

• Practical knowledge you can apply to your creative practice

• A curated list of authors and recommended titles from Frances for further exploration and study

Additional info

If you can't attend this class live, it will be recorded! Students will receive a recording the day after the class, and it will be available for 30 days.

About the Instructor

Frances Badalamenti is the author of the novels, I Don't Blame You (2019), Salad Days (2021) and Many Seasons (2024). Some of her shorter work can be found at The New Yorker, The Believer Magazine, BOMB Magazine, Longreads and elsewhere. She teaches writing workshops and works individually as a mentor for writers. Frances lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and son.