SHORT-STORY WRITING is the perfect avenue for students to ignite their voices and let their creativity shine. Concise to the core, short stories distill an author’s message to leave a lasting impression. Every student has a story to tell. However, instructors face two common challenges. First, very few resources exist to help, so most instructors get overwhelmed creating their own curriculum. Second, they spend precious time searching for short stories that match their lessons. Christina Heffner used to be one of those instructors. During her teaching career, she developed and tested a wide variety of creative writing lesson plans with her students. Now, she’s written the guide she wishes she had fifteen years ago. Inspired Guide to Writing the Short Story: Lessons and Workbook for Students and Educators contains clear and concise lessons for how to write short stories. It takes the guesswork out of which lessons should come first and weaves in Socratic seminars. These focused seminars guide students to discuss stories as a group as they deepen their appreciation for short-story writers, all while maximizing learning. From inspiration to publication, this all-in-one resource includes all the forms and brainstorming pages students need, so that instructors are able to focus on guiding them through their creative process. Instructors also receive access to our website InspiredWritingGuide.com where they will find additional resources, connect with other instructors, and publish their students’ stories. Reclaim the joy that comes from teaching writing and supporting students as they discover their voice. CHRISTINA SOARES HEFFNER is a Montessori-trained teacher, program director, and curriculum developer who is passionate about igniting student voice. She began teaching in 2003, in elementary and adolescent Montessori communities. In 2008, she was a part of the inaugural faculty for Baltimore's first public Montessori school. She later started the adolescent program at the school, developed the curriculum, and wrote the charter for approval from the city. In 2014, Christina joined Greenspring Montessori School as program director and lead instructor for the adolescent community. She reimagined the language curriculum and later co-wrote the curriculum for the addition of 9th grade. Christina also had the privilege of teaching at the Sekolah Montessori Kiara Karitas school in Indonesia, where she also wrote English-language curriculum and trained elementary instructors. Away from school, Christina is the owner of Falls Road Aikido and is the assistant director of the Baltimore Kids Chess League.