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New York Times bestselling author Michael Lewis is the latest to join MasterClass‘ lineup of influential instructors — and if you’re still looking for last-minute gifts for Mother’s Day, the online learning platform is celebrating moms with one of its best deals since Black Friday.
Now through May 12, MasterClass is on sale for up to 50 percent off when you get an annual subscription making it one of the best gifts for moms (or any other maternal figure in your life) who have a thirst for knowledge. Available in three plan options starting at $7 per month, subscriptions include 2,500 courses from more than 200 iconic instructors and industry leaders across arts and entertainment, media, fashion, business, interior design, sports, government, leadership and other industries.
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Memberships include multi-class series with supplemental worksheets and printable guides for getting the most out of your online education, plus 30-day sessions that let students get step-by-step guidance and hands-on experience. New classes are also added regularly, and some of the most recent additions include courses led by actress Amy Poehler, celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin and others.
The Individual plan is on sale for 30 percent off (or $7 per month) and includes all of the above. You can also upgrade to the Plus package (on sale for $9 per month, or 40 percent off), which includes streaming on two devices and offline access. However, the best MasterClass deal is the Premium package, which is half off (or $10 per month) and includes access on up to six devices and offline streaming — so generous giftees can share their account with other household members.
Related: The Best Online Film Classes for Students and Professionals
Lewis’ three-part series reveals how he writes without fear of criticism, his best advice for writers of all skill levels and why curiosity is key to honing your craft. Virtual students will also get intel on how his books and articles became adapted into films including Moneyball, The Big Short, The Blind Side and many others. His course isn’t just for aspiring authors: in a bonus episode, the award-winning writer also shares insights from an executive director of a nonprofit about how to create an effective narrative that pulls on heartstrings and inspires people to build a better world.
“Storytelling is a muscle that can improve your whole life. If you learn how to tell a story better, it gives you powers you didn’t have in all sorts of places,” Lewis says. “In this class, I’ll teach members how to tell a story to enhance their lives in all kinds of ways. It’s not just for writers, but for anyone who wants to get better at telling stories.”
A few snippets of wisdom? “Write on caffeine, edit on wine. Don’t write on wine and edit on caffeine. That’s the wrong way around. … You can be in almost any mood when you start writing. When you edit, try to be in a good mood.”
Whether you or your recipient are working toward a career in Hollywood or you want to stay on top of the industry, the platform’s professors also include multi-hyphenates and executives such as Martha Stewart, Shonda Rhimes, Natalie Portman, Helen Mirren, Bob Iger, Kevin Hart, Amy Poehler, Ron Howard, Aaron Sorkin, Martin Scorcese, Spike Lee, Jodie Foster, Judd Apatow, Steve Martin, Werner Herzog and LeVar Burton, to name just a few.
Those interested in fashion or beauty can learn how to build a brand from Kris Jenner or Diane von Furstenberg, get entrepreneurship lessons from Martha Stewart, soak up design guidance from Marc Jacobs and get pointers on creativity and leadership from Anna Wintour. Creative types can also take classes from architect Frank Gehry, musicians Alicia Keys and St. Vincent, author Margaret Atwood and all of the members of Metallica.
Aspiring public servants can indulge in a well-rounded slate of knowledge from activist Malala Yousafzai, campaign strategists and political consultants David Axelrod and Karl Rove, conservationist Jane Goodall and feminist powerhouse Gloria Steinem, among others. You can also learn from those who have held the highest office in America and others with the White House series, which includes presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, joined by Hillary Rodham Clinton, Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice.
Explore all of MasterClass’ offerings and sign up for the Mother’s Day deal online here.
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