Workshop Schedule
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Sep
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Aug
Make Goodreads Work For You
Presented by: Diane K. Peterson
Date: September 1 - 30, 2023 (one month)
Registration Closes: September 16, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $20
Non-A2P Member fee: $30
About the Workshop:
Goodreads says it is “the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations.” With many millions of members worldwide it just makes sense for authors to go where the readers are. It is well worth the time and effort to create an effective and accurate presence on Goodreads. This class will show you how to take control of your Goodreads presence and use the power of Goodreads to build your readership. Are you a Goodreads Author? Does your profile capture the key elements of you? Have you connected your blog? Does the information in your book records make it easier to find them? Is the information accurate? How does Goodreads interact with Amazon? Should you advertise on Goodreads? We will answer these questions and more while we explore the many ways for authors to make Goodreads a strong part of their marketing plan.
About the Presenter:
Diane K. Peterson is a retired school library media specialist that promotes the romance novel industry as an researcher, speaker, and reviewer. Most recently she has been contributing information to the RomanceWiki to help build the history of the genre as well as reviewing romance novels for Novels Alive. Diane leads classes and workshops for authors and older adults (Osher program). A compulsive “fixer,” she uses her status as a Goodreads librarian to correct and improve book records and assist authors. Website: www.dianekpeterson.com
Bringing Memorable Characters to Life
Presented by: Sally Kilpatrick
Date: September 18 - 29, 2023 (two weeks)
Registration Closes: September 26, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
Characters, whether hated or beloved, keep readers coming back for more. People can often forgive plot holes, sagging middles, slow openings, and any number of other storytelling sins as long as we writers give them characters to love. In this course, learn tricks and techniques for creating characters your readers will remember long after they put down your book.
About the Presenter:
Sally Kilpatrick is the USA Today bestselling author of six novels. She has won multiple awards, including the 2018 and 2019 Georgia Author of the Year, the Maggie Award of Excellence, and the Nancy Knight Mentorship Award. Her latest release is a Christmas romcom novella, The Not So Nice List. She lives in Marietta, GA with her one husband, two kids, and two cats. You can find her at www.sallykilpatrick.com or on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as @Superwritermom.
Digging Deep: Researching Your Novel
Presented by: Cynthia Owens
Date: October 1 - 31, 2023 (one month)
Registration Closes: October 16, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $20
Non-A2P Member fee: $30
About the Workshop:
Digging Deep: Researching Your Novel, will introduce you to various research methods, as well as different options for organizing your research.
We will cover:
• The Foundation—Examines various methods for organizing your research.
• The Inverted Triangle—A Writing Right Academy exclusive! Narrowing the focus of your research.
• The Written Word—Using books, magazine and newspaper articles, libraries, archives and the Internet to find what you’re looking for.
• The Media—Examines the various media that can help you research your novel.
• In Real Life—Explains the art of interviewing experts on your subjects.
• Bon Voyage—What you need to know before you take that research trip.
• Author’s Notes—Examines the types of author’s notes.
• All Together Now—Pulling your research together.
Included in the class is a workbook with resources, worksheets, checklists, and more.
About the Presenter:
I believe I was destined to be interested in history. One of my distant ancestors, Thomas Aubert, reportedly sailed up the St. Lawrence River to discover Canada some 26 years before Jacques Cartier’s 1534 voyage. Another relative was a 17thCentury “King’s Girl,” one of a group of young unmarried girls sent to New France (now the province of Quebec) as brides for the habitants (settlers) there.
My passion for reading made me long to write books like the ones I enjoyed, and I tried penning sequels to my favorite Nancy Drew mysteries. Later, fancying myself a female version of Andrew Lloyd Weber, I drafted a musical set in Paris during WWII.
A former journalist and lifelong Celtophile, I enjoyed a previous career as a reporter/editor for a small chain of community newspapers before returning to my first love, romantic fiction. My stories usually include an Irish setting, hero or heroine, and sometimes all three.
How to Design and Teach an Online Workshop
Presented by: Catherine Chant
Date: October 16 - 27, 2023 (two weeks)
Registration Closes: February 24, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
This two-week workshop begins with an overview of why you would want to create and teach an online workshop, and covers these topics:
1. Developing a workshop topic
2. Identifying your audience
3. Designing a lesson plan
4. Interacting with your students
5. Designing exercises for your students
6. Your workshop proposal
7. Technical aspects of online teaching
At the end of this workshop you will have a basic outline of your course and the first draft of a proposal ready to polish and send out to workshop coordinators.
About the Presenter:
Catherine Chant is a Romance Writers of America (RWA) Golden Heart® finalist. She writes rock 'n' roll romantic fiction and stories with paranormal twists for young adults. Her young adult rock 'n' roll time travel series is available now at your favorite online bookseller, and her popular workshops "Grow a Book: Turning Your Story Idea Into a Workable Plot" and “Character Journaling: Developing Stronger Characters from the Inside Out” are now available as e-books. She teaches several online workshops for writers throughout the year. You can learn more at her website: http://www.catherinechant.com
Writing the Holiday Short Story
Presented by: Marianne Donley & Carol L. Wright
Date: November 6 - 17, 2023 (two weeks)
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
From Hanukkah Goblins to Ebeneezer Scrooge to Bad Santa, holiday stories run the gamut from heartwarming tales that enhance the celebration, warm the heart, and knit generations together, to those that highlight the frazzled nerves, generational conflicts, and dark humor that holidays sometimes bring to the fore.
With such a broad canvas, holidays give authors enormous range for storytelling, but there are still some elements that holiday stories nearly always share. This class will help you sort through the holiday frenzy to tell your story in a way that will leave your readers wanting more.
About the Presenter:
Marianne H. Donley, a retired teacher, now writes short stories, funny romances, and quirky murder mysteries. Her stories have appeared in a variety of anthologies, journals, and magazines. She also owns and manages the multi-author blog, A Slice of Orange. Marianne is a member of Bethlehem Writers Group, Music City Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Charmed Writers. You can follow Marianne’s various social media at: https://linktr.ee/mariannehdonley
Carol L. Wright writes mysteries and more. Her debut traditional mystery, Death in Glenville Falls: A Gracie McIntyre Mystery, was a finalist for two international book awards. Her short stories have appeared in award-winning anthologies and literary journals, and some of her favorites are collected in her book A Christmas on Nantucket and other stories. You can learn more at her website: https://CarolLWright.com
Together, Marianne and Carol teach both in person and online classes. They organize and judge a yearly short story contest. And just to keep busy, they have also edited six anthologies and are working on the seventh.
Second Chance Romances
Presented by: Deborah A. Bailey
Date: November 7 - 18, 2023 (two week)
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $10
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
Second chance romance is a popular trope that covers a lot of situations. A chance to make up after a split. A second chance at love for "older" heroines. Another chance for love after heartbreak or trauma. Second chances come in many forms and readers love to experience them. Learn how to build your character's backstory and make their second chance extra satisfying for your readers.
- What kind of second chance does your character desire?
- Determining the risks and rewards for your characters.
- Healing from trauma and loss – identifying the obstacles to love
- Building a backstory – why is your character in this situation?
- Make the reader care – how they can become invested in your character's journey
About the Presenter:
Deborah A Bailey has presented various writing workshops for SavvyAuthors.com and the Sayreville Public Library, including topics such as Writing Your Book in First Person POV, Creating Intimate Scenes Without Going All the Way and Introduction to Self-Publishing.
Her science fiction and paranormal romance novels include suspense, a bit of mystery and a lot of romantic heat. Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers' Conference and have been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun and are included in, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales.
Website: https://dbaileycoach.com/brightbooks
So You Think You’re Ready for an Author Assistant
Presented by: Sara Benedict
Date: November 12, 2022 9AM PT
Pricing: A2P Member fee: FREE
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
Author Assistants can make or break an author just as easily as a poorly designed cover or a badly written blurb. This forum style workshop will guide you through the potential highs and lows of hiring an author assistant. But most importantly, will leave you with the answers to the three most often asked questions:
- What does an author assistant do?
- Do I need an author assistant?
- How do I find an author assistant?
About the Presenter:
Sara Benedict is an Author Assistant that works with clients in every stage of authordom, from those working on their first manuscript to NYT Best Sellers. Sara lives in upstate New York with her husband, two children, and two chocolate labs. She has a borderline unhealthy obsession with all things relevant to Irish folklore, Gilmore Girls, and 16th century Britain. Oh, and in her spare time can be found either in a kayak or anywhere in the woods. She holds BA degrees in both English and history, has a profound love of nature, and a deep passion for books.
TBA
Scene-by-Scene Writing
Presented by: Sally J. Walker
Date: January 2 - 31, 2023
Registration Closes: January 16, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $30
About the Workshop:
Learn the building blocks of fictional storytelling through Sessions filled with definitions, explanations and examples leading up to writing exercises with instructor analysis. In this eight-session workshop you will see how to plan story and prevent pitfalls, one page at a time. You will discover the magic of successfully juggling main plot and subplot, Point of View, and the crisp pacing demanded in today's fiction market. You will learn the “how to” of analyzing and achieving “Scene-and-Sequel,” the fundamental logic of story events.
Course Outline
Session One: Principles of Storytelling
Session Two: Scene as a Unit of Time
Session Three: Writing Scene
Session Four: Analysis of the Parts of Scene
Session Five: Sequel as Logical Links Carrying Forward
Session Six: Writing Sequel
Session Seven: Analysis of the Parts of Sequel
Session Eight: Plotting through Scene-and-Sequel
About the Presenter:
Sally Walker’s published credits include literary, romance and western novels, a nonfiction essay collection, several creative writing textbooks, stage plays, poetry, and many magazine articles on the craft of writing, including staff contributions to two international film magazines for 10 years. Sally has written 33 screenplays, sold 1, and has Hollywood representation.
In addition to long time active memberships in such national writing organizations as RWA, WWA, and SCBWI, she was president of a state-wide writers organization 2007-2011 and is active in the Nebraska Film Association. While keeping to a strenuous writing schedule, she worked as Editorial Director for a small publishing company for 18 years. Besides being an adjunct professor of screenwriting at a local community college, Sally has taught writing seminars, both on-site and on-line, for over 30 years and is the facilitator for the weekly meetings of the Nebraska Writers Workshop in Ralston, NE.
Creating a Living Setting
Presented by: Jeannie Moon
Date: January 21, 2023, Saturday, 9AM PT
Registration Closes: January 22, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $5
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
Settings are more than time or place to plop down your book’s characters. A setting can be a living, breathing entity whether it’s a small town, big city or a brand new world. Settings limit or expand possibilities for your characters, are a catalyst for change, act as a pain trigger or provide comfort. The possibilities are endless.
About the Presenter:
Bestselling, award-winning author Jeannie Moon will take you through the intricacies of creating a setting that will transport your readers to a world of your creation and make them want to return again and again. This is a deep dive into the craft of using time and place to enhance the story’s depth and give readers a true sense of what your characters are experiencing.
Those Who Forget the Past: Using Backstory to Enhance Your Novel
Presented by: Cynthia Owens
Date: February 1 - 28, 2023 (one month)
Registration Closes: February 15, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $20
Non-A2P Member fee: $30
About the Workshop:
In Those Who Forget History: Using Backstory to Enhance Your Novel, students will examine how to use backstory effectively to enhance their stories using elements of a character’s past.
We will cover:
• What is Backstory?
• Flashbacks and How to Use Them,
• The Five Ws of Backstory—Who, What, Where, When and Why—of a character’s past.
• Prologues—how to use a prologue to provide backstory.
• Dialogue—how to manipulate your readers by using a character’s dialogue to hint at backstory.
• Weaving—how to weave backstory into your story.
• Inner Thought—revealing your character’s backstory through inner thought.
• What Do They Want?—how your character’s backstory can affect his goals.
• The New Way to Plot: Using backstory to plot your novel
Included in the workshop is a workbook with assignments, checklists, and more.
About the Presenter:
I believe I was destined to be interested in history. One of my distant ancestors, Thomas Aubert, reportedly sailed up the St. Lawrence River to discover Canada some 26 years before Jacques Cartier’s 1534 voyage. Another relative was a 17thCentury “King’s Girl,” one of a group of young unmarried girls sent to New France (now the province of Quebec) as brides for the habitants (settlers) there.
My passion for reading made me long to write books like the ones I enjoyed, and I tried penning sequels to my favorite Nancy Drew mysteries. Later, fancying myself a female version of Andrew Lloyd Weber, I drafted a musical set in Paris during WWII.
A former journalist and lifelong Celtophile, I enjoyed a previous career as a reporter/editor for a small chain of community newspapers before returning to my first love, romantic fiction. My stories usually include an Irish setting, hero or heroine, and sometimes all three.
Writing the Federal Agent
Presented by: John Bokal with Jennifer Bokal
Date: February 4, 2023 9AM PST
Registration Closes: February 5, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $5
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
There’s no denying it—federal law enforcement agents and agencies have sparked the imagination of readers and writers for generations. But how can a writer really understand what it’s like to be a part of the law enforcement community?
Join retired FBI Special Agent, John P. Bokal, Jr. to discuss the various agencies tasked with investigating federal crimes and what it’s like to be a federal agent. His wife, multi-published and best-selling author Jennifer D. Bokal, will then provide exercises to help participants develop their own realistic federal agent characters.
About the Presenter:
Jennifer D. Bokal is the author of more than 20 novels and novellas. Her books include the best-selling Ancient World Historical Romance, The Gladiator’s Mistress, and novellas from the popular Contemporary Western series, Bear Creek Rodeo. But Jen spends most of her time writing for Harlequin’s Romantic Suspense line.
Her husband of more than 25 years, John P. Bokal, Jr., is retired FBI Special Agent. During his 30 years with the FBI, John worked a variety of cases including kidnappings, missing persons, and bank fraud. Jen and John live in upstate NY. They have three grown daughters and have filled their “empty nest” with several fur babies.
The Nice Girl's Guide to Conflict
Presented by: Sally Kilpatrick
Date: March 6 – 17, 2023 (two weeks)
Registration Closes: March 14, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
Are you having trouble getting an agent or getting sold? Do you often get comments like “your story is too quiet” or “you might want to check out GMC”? These are the tricks and tools that I use to overcome comments like these and add more conflict to my stories. Conflict makes story, and story is what sells.
About the Presenter:
Sally Kilpatrick is the USA Today bestselling author of six novels. She has won multiple awards, including the 2018 and 2019 Georgia Author of the Year, the Maggie Award of Excellence, and the Nancy Knight Mentorship Award. Her latest release is a Christmas romcom novella, The Not So Nice List. She lives in Marietta, GA with her one husband, two kids, and two cats. You can find her at www.sallykilpatrick.com or on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook as @Superwritermom.
How to Make Your Manuscript S-P-A-R-K-L-E: 7 Editing Tips to Make Your Second Draft Stand Out
Presented by: Tanya Agler
Date: March 11, 2023. Saturday, 9AM PT
Registration Closes: March 12, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $5
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
How to Make Your Manuscript S-P-A-R-K-L-E:
A hook, your book, and the cook. This program explores ways to make your manuscript pop during the editing process. Were there places in your work-in-progress that you wanted to skip over? If so, it’s time to make your manuscript S-P-A-R-K-L-E. This workshop will cover seven areas to add layers and depth to your manuscript from starting strong (S) to ending stronger (E). Writers will leave with a question guide they can tailor and send to beta readers.
About the Presenter:
Tanya Agler remembers the first romance novel her grandmother gifted her, and she’s been in love with the genre ever since. A former past president of Georgia Romance Writers, Tanya Agler is a graduate of the University of Georgia (with a degree in journalism and a law degree) makes her home in metro Atlanta with her wonderful husband, their four children, and a lovable rescue beagle. An award-winning author, including the Maggie Award of Excellence and the Golden Rose, she has written six novels for Harlequin Heartwarming, and her seventh, Caught by the Cowgirl, is scheduled for a May 2023 release. Tanya is a member of Novelists, Inc., Georgia Romance Writers, Contemporary Romance Writers, ACFW, and RWA.
When she’s not writing, Tanya loves classic movies, chocolate, and a good cup of tea.
She is represented by Dawn Dowdle of the Blue Ridge Literary Agency. Visit her at www.tanyaagler.com or email her at tanyaagler@gmail.com
Worldbuilding: You’ve Got the Whole World in Your Hands
Presented by: Caridad Pineiro
Date: April 22, 2023, Saturday, 9AM PDT
Registration Closes: April 23, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $5
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
Whether you are writing a contemporary, paranormal, fantasy, or science fiction novel, the world in which you place your heroine is one that is different from the ordinary world of the reader. Because of this, it is essential that you establish the norms of your world and stick to them to create a sense of realism for the reader. In this workshop, Caridad will explore ways in which you can build your world and teach you why “You’ve got the whole world in your hands!”
About the Presenter:
Caridad Pineiro is a transplanted Long Island girl who has fallen in love with the Jersey Shore. When Caridad isn’t taking long strolls along the boardwalk, she’s also a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author with over a million romance novels sold worldwide. Caridad is passionate about writing and helping others explore and develop their skills as writers. She is a founding member of the Liberty States Fiction Writers and has presented workshops at the RT Book Club Convention, Romance Writers of America National Conference as well as various writing organizations throughout the country. You can connect with Caridad at www.caridad.com.
A Fiction Writer's Secret Weapon: Show, Don't Tell
Presented by: Leslie J. Hall
Date: April 10 - 21, 2023 (two weeks)
Registration Closes: April 18, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
Most writers have heard the advice, Show, Don’t Tell. But what does it really mean and how do we use it in our stories? In this workshop, we will review the meaning of Show, Don’t Tell and discuss how this tool helps us connect with readers in a deeper way. We’ll discuss what ‘tell’ looks like and how to change it to ‘show’ using point of view and setting. We’ll look at Show, Don’t Tell in terms of character and character reactions. Great for any level of writer in any genre who wants their stories to be tighter and more impactful.
Workshop Goals:
• Understand what the phrase means for your story
• Learn to identify ‘telling’ prose
• Know how to convert ‘telling’ to ‘showing’
• How to use point of view to heighten Show, Don’t Tell
When it is okay to tell
About the Presenter:
Leslie J. Hall the author of the Kaitlyn Willis Road Signs mysteries, a humorous, PG-rated, amateur sleuth series starring a NW code enforcement officer. She also writes women’s fiction and in training to become a book coach. Leslie loves to speak, teach, and share her passion for writing with others.
When not writing, Leslie volunteers for writer-related events, leads Write Night (a weekly virtual facilitated critique group), teaches beginning writing at community colleges in continuing ed, laughs as much as possible, and when not doing all of that, hangs out at the beach whenever possible.
She lives in Bremerton, WA with her husband and her pandemic rescue cat, Mia. Learn more about Leslie’s writing and her classes at www.lesliejhall.com
The Difference Between Romance & Women's Fiction
Presented by: Laura Drake
Date: May 6, 2023, Saturday, 9AM PT
Registration Closes: May 7, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $5
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
Romance / Women’s Fiction – What’s the Difference?
• What’s in a name - why genre even matters
• Definitions of both
• Controversy in Women’s Fiction
• Which should you choose?
• This is a wide and sometimes controversial subject, so there will be much time for discussion.
About the Presenter:
Laura Drake is a New York and self-published published author of Women's Fiction and Romance. Her debut, The Sweet Spot, won the 2014 Romance Writers of America® RITA® award. She’s since published 13 more books. She is a founding member of Women’s Fiction Writers Assn. and Writers in the Storm blog.
Laura is a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write full time. She realized a lifelong dream of becoming a Texan and is currently working on her accent. She's a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours.
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Core Wounds
Presented by: Tere Michaels
Date: May 15 - 26, 2023 (two weeks)
Registration Closes: May 23, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
Core Wounds sit in the heart of every person - both real and fictional. An understanding of these deep-seated, harmful "truths" we believe can lead to the creation of three-dimensional characters and emotionally impactful narratives readers will never forget.
This workshop will explore what a Core Wound is, how it goes into the building of a deeply felt and memorable character, and how it influences their actions and reactions in a story. Further, we'll discuss "matching" Core Wounds, in which a pairing (lovers, hero/villain) have the same wound but manifest it differently - and the potentially perfect complications it creates.
Finally, we'll talk about plot. How we construct a narrative to explore these Core Wounds is a vital part of harnessing this intense emotional connection. It can make the difference between a memorable story and one that falls flat.
About the Presenter:
Tere Michaels writes “happily ever afters” in the big city – with heaps of snark, angst, and humor. Her focus is on characters and all the ridiculous ways they trip through life and love.
She has written over fifteen books including her popular Faith, Love & Devotion series, the superhero saga, The Vigilante, and her latest series, Broadway or Bust. She has been presenting workshops on the writing process for over ten years and currently teaches on the SavvyAuthors platform. She has done presentations and workshops for chapters of RWA, RT Booklovers Convention, Liberty States, Sisters in Crime, Outreach International Writers, Inc., Hearts Through History, and Horror Writers of America. Previously, she co-taught and managed RT Booklovers Convention Boot Camp, and curated the Professional Development program for the Book Lovers Convention.
Currently, Tere operates The Writing Garage, whose services include Plot Whispering, developmental editing, private writing groups and writing retreats. You can reach her via her website, www.teremichaels.com, or on Facebook and Instagram.
Writing Sex Scenes
Presented by: Jennifer Bokal
Date: June 1 - 30, 2023 (one month)
Registration Closes: June 16, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $20
Non-A2P Member fee: $30
About the Workshop:
From First Blush to Climax: Writing Sex Scenes
A well-crafted sex scene can move a story from mundane to unforgettable, while a badly written sex scene can ruin an entire book. Beginning with the premise that sex scene is at the most basic level an action scene, we will explore ways to effectively use a sex scene in any story. Topics covered will range from pacing, to character arcs, plotting, heat levels and more. Due to the adult content of this workshop no one under 18 will be allowed to take the class.
Specific Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this workshops, participants will:
~Identify the heat level of their work in progress.
~Understand personal comfort with chosen heat level.
~Determine how to combine action, narrative, and emotion to create a compelling sex scene.
~Explore and define the terms scene, pacing, time manipulation, dialogue, description and setting as well as how they are used in writing sex scenes.
About the Presenter:
Jennifer D. Bokal penned her first book at age eight. An early lover of the written word, she decided to follow her passion and become a full-time writer. From then on, she didn't look back. She earned a Master of Arts in creative writing from Wilkes University and became a member of Romance Writers of America and International Thriller Writers.
Jennifer is the author of author of several books, including the Harlequin Romantic Suspense series, Rocky Mountain Justice, the connected series, Wyoming Nights, and several books that are part of the Colton continuity. The first book in her upcoming Texas Law series, Texas Law Undercover Justice will be released in December 2022.
Happily married to her own alpha male for more twenty-five years, she enjoys writing stories that explore the wonders of love. Jen and her manly husband live in upstate New York. They have three beautiful grown daughters, two very spoiled dogs, and a cat who runs the house.
Using Your Characters' Emotional Wounds for Character Development
Presented by: Deborah Bailey
Date: June 12 - 23, 2023 (two weeks)
Registration Closes: June 20, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
Using Your Characters' Emotional Wounds for Character Development
Develop your characters and create backstory using emotional wounds and inner conflicts. Discover the inner conflicts that might be inspiring protagonists and antagonists in your story. We'll cover topics such as: how to determine the wounds that make sense for your characters, how to raise the stakes by using triggers to push your characters forward, aligning backstory with character wounds and traumas, developing strong character goals and motivations.
About the Presenter:
Deborah A Bailey's Romantic Fantasy, Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance novels include suspense, a bit of mystery and a lot of romantic heat. Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers' Conference and have been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun and are included in, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales.
In addition to her fiction work, she’s published non-fiction books and articles for online publications.
She’s presented workshops to organizations including the Sayreville Public Library, the Carteret Public Library, Piscataway Public Library and SavvyAuthors.com.
https://AuthorDebBailey.com
Plotting Hacks for Pansters
Presented by: Jessie Cal
Date:July 8, 2023 9AM PT
Registration Closes: July 9, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $5
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
Are you tired of pantsing into dead ends and having to delete thousands of words? Or do you find yourself overwhelmed with over-plotting? In this course, you’ll learn how to plot a novel in one page using 4 writing hacks called the “Catalyst Method.” With minimal plotting, you can write faster and create deeper stories that will have readers recommending your book to others.
About the Presenter:
Jessie Cal is a USA Today bestselling author with over eighteen romance and suspense novels. When she’s not writing, she’s teaching courses on writing, plotting, and much more. She works with both independent and traditionally published authors, helping them to make their books as best as they can be.
Discovering the Seasoned Romance
Presented by: Brooke Wills
Date:July 24 – August 4, 2023 (two weeks)
Registration Closes: August 1, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
Whether you call it seasoned, later in life or mature romance, this new category of romance stories is here to stay. And there’s more to writing one than just upping the ages of your characters.
In this two-week workshop, we’ll look at:
- what exactly is the seasoned romance category
- characterization, settings and tropes
- how to market your story whether you plan on indie or traditionally publishing
There will also be time for Q&A, FAQ’s and general discussion about this exciting category of romance.
About the Presenter:
Being a seasoned person herself, Brooke Wills is a retired CFO, controller and consultant who now spends her days storytelling as a copywriting specialist, creating seasoned characters like herself and enjoying living on an island in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her mostly Maine Coon kitty, Tuxie. She is actively involved with the Aged to Perfection Seasoned Romance Writers as well as serving as treasurer on the RWA board.
A Deep Dive Into the Types of Editing
Presented by: Sue Toth
Date: August 7 - 18, 2023 (two weeks)
Registration Closes: August 15, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
In two-week course, participants will jump into the waters of editing. We’ll discuss various types of editing and which you need for your manuscript. Among the topics we’ll focus on are:
• Developmental editing
• Line editing
• Copy editing
• Proofreading
• Book coaching
In addition, we’ll look at how to find the best editor for you, what you should expect from an editor, and what your editor will expect from you.
About the Presenter:
I’ve been a lover of the English language for as long as I’ve been able to read. You know the kid who had a book and a flashlight under the covers long after she was supposed to be asleep? That was me. The one who carried a book everywhere and had her nose stuck in It whenever possible? Also me.
My entire career has been dedicated to either diving into my own editing or teaching others how to do it well. I have taught fiction editing at the University of San Diego and journalism and writing at the college level.
For the past 20 years, my specialty has been in collaborating as an editor with romance authors to turn their books into those swoon-worthy ones that readers can’t put down.
In the rare times I’m not reading, I enjoy being with my family, dancing to 80s rock and roll, and watching New York Mets or Jets games.
The Power of Facebook Groups: Promoting and Connecting with Readers
Presented by: Jenna Grinstead
Date: August 19, 2023 9AM PT
Registration Closes: August 20, 2023
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $5
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
In this interactive workshop we'll discuss the power of Facebook Groups for your writing. We'll discuss what groups are, how to form them, look at examples of authors who are using them to research their books, improve their craft, connect with other authors, connect with fans, and, most importantly, to sell books.
You'll have the opportunity to learn the secrets to how to find groups, interact in existing groups to promote your author brand, create a group, nurture a group and grow a group into a community that aligns with your goals. Whether you're a published author looking for tips on how to sell via Facebook Groups or a newbie seeking to understand how groups can help you in your writing, this workshop is for you!
About the Presenter:
Jenna Grinstead is a whimsical Midwesterner with a penchant for magic and a deep desire for a world where the weird and different are embraced and celebrated. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she studied journalism. She found a way to turn her imagination and creativity into a career in marketing, while writing young adult and middle grade fiction. She often conducts workshops and speaks on writing, world-building, social media and marketing. Jenna is a member of The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Central Ohio Fiction Writers and Women's Fiction Writers Association. Her young adult romance manuscripts have won several regional writing awards, including The Maggie, The Stiletto and The Indiana Golden Opportunity.
When she's not plotting her next story you can find her devouring novels and mint chocolate chip ice cream in her house with California Poppies painted across the garage.
She is represented by Analieze Cervantes with The Harvey Klinger Literary Agency.