I am currently (5/2010) enrolled in an online version of Gotham's Fiction Writing Workshop. While I did research their teaching credentials and was impressed by the many positive reviews posted on the Web, I have to say that overall I am disappointed with my experience.
First, out of sixteen people enrolled in the class, only fifty percent were actively giving responses to posted work. Second, the critique of the teacher amounted to two, perhaps three, short paragraphs (equivalent to about how much I've typed here). Third, their book ""Writing Fiction,"" available at any major bookseller for about fifteen bucks, is much more informational than the ""lessons"" posted each week.
I hate bashing anyone, but the bottom line is ""buyer beware."" I know several other workshop groups that do much more for a lot less.
My only answer for people that are happy shelling out over $400 for a substandard workshop is that they just haven't shopped around.
Pros: Experienced teachers; online format available and accessible
Cons: $$$$; student participation not optimum; feedback negligible
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