Workshop Schedule
The Creative Brilliance Academy–Part I
Presented by: Deborah Magnus
Date: January 1 – 01, 2022 (one month)
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $30
About the Workshop:
The Creative Brilliance Academy brings the mind to the burning brilliance an author’s work deserves. By discovering new, inventive ways of seeing and thinking, creative people find themselves sparking with inspiration and driven by ideas they’d never envisioned before. These techniques push a writer’s storytelling skills to new levels, helping to set their work apart, above, and beyond. This is what we all want for our writing.
With one lesson per week, the academy teaches techniques strategically designed to draw writers into expansive ideas and the development of their unique brilliance. Workshops are highly interactive and include challenges, prompts, and a lot of fun. The Creative Brilliance Academy is for writers of all levels. Trigger personal creative brilliance and super-charge your creative practices forever.
Lesson 1 – What is MY Brilliance? Where has it been all my Life?
- No limited writerly focus here
- Brilliance is way more than you think
- Seeking brilliance and expanding creativity
- 15-minute path to your personal brilliance. Discover what lights you up!
Lesson 2 – Writing INSIDE the FIRE
- The power of twisting senses
- Sight = Color
- Sound = Vibration
- Touch = Curiosity
- Taste = Unexpected setting
Lesson 3 – Location… Location… Location
- Location -Where you are
- Location – Move it, move it, move it
- Location – INSIDE a new place
Lesson 4 – Expansion and Reverse Creative Thinking
- Expansion – Make it a game
- Expansion – Turn it into child’s play
- Expansion – Dance the positions
- Expansion – Check in with fate
- Expansion – Dismantle and rebuild
- Reverse – What if’s to make your Brilliance snap and pop!
About the Presenter:
For over twenty years, Deborah Riley-Magnus has taught people how to creatively think outside the box, helping artists, quilters, designers, cooks, bakers, and writers explore different and new ways of looking at their personal creative process. For authors, she has brought these concepts for marketing and craft, opening doors for author success.
Deborah is an author, Author Success Coach, and Creative Brilliance Coach with forty-plus years professional background as a writer, marketing, advertising, and public relations expert. She has been a writer for print, television, and radio. She writes fiction and nonfiction, and has been a ghostwriter for several clients.
Her current focus is on helping people of all walks of life develop their personal creative brilliance for problem solving and creative projects. She offers a workshop series that specifically focuses on the group’s needs, whatever their goals, projects, or business. Her newest nonfiction entitled The Creative Brilliance Academy is scheduled for publication in spring, 2022.
Deborah produces several pieces monthly for various websites and online publications. She teaches online and live workshops for advanced creativity exploration. She writes instructive and creative blogs, speaks, and coaches authors, artists, and business professionals, one-on-one, in search of their unique creative brilliance.
She belongs to several writing, speaking, and professional organizations. She has lived on both the east and west coast of the United States and has traveled the country widely. She is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and returned in 2011 after living in Los Angeles, California for several years.
Post-NaNoWriMo Editing (Macro Editing)
Presented by:Terri Main
Date:January 10 – 21, 2022 (two week)
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $10
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
So, you completed your 50,000 word masterpiece during November. But, now, it’s December. And you are looking at what you wrote trying to remind yourself that first drafts are supposed to be rough and that every masterpiece starts out as a disaster piece. This course, will guide you through the process of being your own plot doctor. It walks you through the process of evaluating the “Big Picture” of your novel helping you refine plot, character, and setting.
About the Presenter:
Terri Main sold her first piece of writing when she was just 18 years old. Since then, she has written hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles, thousands of pieces of marketing materials, more than sixty books, seven novels, video documentaries, and radio drama.
In addition to being an accomplished writer, she is also an experienced online educator. She helped pioneer online learning in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She has taught thousands of students both oral and written communication skills. Many of whom, now have careers in the media and freelance writing.
As one student put it, “If you want to get published, you have to take a course from Terri Main.
Writing the Seasoned Romance
Presented by: Peggy Jaeger
Date: January 22, 2022, Saturday, 9AM PT
Pricing: A2P Member fee: No Charge
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
Description: Using humor and life experiences, this workshop will discuss an untapped market in the romance industry: romantic stories with heroines and heroes over the age of 45 for romance readers in the same Baby Boomer age group We live in a society where life – and romance – doesn’t end at 35. The death of a spouse, a divorce, choosing a career over marriage, and dealing with grown children can all effect people in their late/middle years, typically 40-60. This workshop will explore several ways to deal with writing a romance story about this age group and for this age group market. Things that will be explored will include, but not be limited to:
- Definition of late/middle age and the physical, psychological and emotional factors that effect this age group
- Starting over after divorce or death. The psychological and emotional issues that afflict the hero/heroine who have undergone either of these occurrences.
- Sex – the good, the bad, the funny! Body image issues, performance issues, sexual angst! All will be dealt with using humor, and current medical information in dealing with potential problems.
Reclaiming individual sexuality when you have grown children and dealing with the “eeew” factor from them.
About the Presenter:
Peggy Jaeger is a multi-published contemporary romance author and Registered Nurse who happens to be in the Second Act of her life, so that credo of walking the walk and talking the talk is one she knows intimately. Realizing there is a market for romance readers and writers who are also in the second act of their lives prompted her to develop this workshop to instruct, educate, and entertain readers and writers of romance of a certain age.
Instagram for Authors
Presented by: Stephanie J. Scott
Date: February 26, 2022, Saturday, 9AM PT
Pricing: A2P Member fee: No Charge
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
Take your Instagram to the next level with ideas and strategies to build a reader community. With over 1 billion monthly worldwide users and growing, Instagram is a major league social media platform connecting users across the world. The key fact for us writers: readers hang out there!
About the Presenter:
Stephanie J. Scott writes young adult and romance about characters who put their passions first. She enjoys dance fitness, everything cats, and has a slight obsession with Instagram. A Midwest girl at heart, she resides outside of Chicago with her tech-of-all-trades husband and fuzzy furbabies. Website: www.stephaniejscott.com
Twitter for Authors
Presented by: Cassandra Carr
Date: February 1 – 28, 2022 (one month)
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $30
About the Workshop:
Twitter – If Twitter or “tweeting” is a mystery, join multi-published author Cassandra Carr in a workshop that will help you to become a Twitter beginner to a Twitter pro. The workshop will teach you everything you need to know to use Twitter as a valuable piece of your book marketing.
About the Presenter:
Cassandra Carr is a multi-award winning writer. When not writing she enjoys rooting for her beloved hockey team – the Buffalo Sabres, taking her daughter on grand adventures, and binge watching TV shows. Cassandra’s books have won numerous “Best Book Of” awards and her novella Power Shift (former title Unexpected Top) was nominated in the E-book Erotic Romance category of RT’s Reviewers’ Choice Awards.
She thinks the best part of being a writer is penning stories in her made-up worlds while most others struggle with commutes, micro-managing bosses and cranky co-workers.
From Heart to Page to Print: A Primer Guide to Book Publishing
Presented by: Savannah J. Frierson
Date: March 1 – 31, 2022 (one month)
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $30
About the Workshop:
This publishing primer course will introduce processes of writing, paths to market, and prices (and costs) of publishing. Though this workshop is geared toward beginners, this can also be a great refresher course for seasoned authors, or for authors who are interested in hybrid publishing and what that can entail. The course will guide participants along the paths of publishing—from the beginning with a single idea to the end when the idea has become a book gone to market. We will discuss topics such as: how to get started with writing the book project; pre-market preparations and plans (i.e., editing, researching, publishing); and the investments involved with the publishing path chosen.
About the Presenter:
Savannah J. Frierson is a USA TODAY best-selling author, editor, proofreader, and publishing consultant with nearly 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. As an author, Savannah crafts full, happily-ever-afters for readers who believe transcendent romances are worth the wait. As a book publishing professional, Savannah has worked with Big Five publishers, independent publishers, and individual clients. She aims to make the publishing experience a little less overwhelming for clients regardless of where they are in their publishing journeys.
Character Goals
Presented by: Jen Bokal
Date: March 12, 2022 9AM PT
Pricing: A2P Member fee: No Charge
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
To many writers, a novel plan is akin to a soul-killing outline learned in grammar school, complete with Roman Numerals and indentations. Yet, to sit down at a computer and begin working without any intention—other than to write a novel—often ends up with an unfinished manuscript and a frustrated author. This workshop with help to develop characters and their goals, along with exploring how they can reach those goals in a dramatic and engaging fashion.
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 the Romance Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She has authored several short stories, novellas and poems. Winner of the Sexy Scribbler in 2015, Jennifer is the author of 16 novels/novellas. Included in her titles are the Ancient World Historical series the Champions of Rome and the Harlequin Romantic Suspense series, Rocky Mountain Justice and the connected series, Rocky Mountain Justice: Wyoming Nights. She is also the author of Coltons Secret History, Book 3 in the Coltons of Kansas series and Coltons Internal Affair, Book 9 in the Coltons of Grave Gulch series—also from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. Happily married to her own Alpha Male for more than 25 years, she enjoys writing stories that explore the wonders of love. Jen and her manly husband live in upstate New York with their three beautiful daughters, two very spoiled dogs, and a kitten that aspires to one day become a Chihuahua.
Tips & Tricks for Shining Online
Presented by: Brenda Margriet
Date: March 14 – 18, 2022 Forum presentation
March 19, 2022 9AM PT LIVE presentation
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $10
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
With online video technology, you can connect face to face with your readers, no matter where they are!. Learn tips and tricks that will help you look your best and give you the confidence to shine, whether it’s a Zoom meeting, Instagram interview or Facebook launch party. This workshop will provide a checklist of what to do—and NOT to do—to help you be prepared, no matter where you’re virtually appearing. No special equipment necessary.
About the Presenter:
Brenda Margriet spent more than thirty years as a television writer/producer. She’s helped everyone from mechanics to politicians look natural yet professional on camera. As Brenda Margriet, she writes savvy, slow burn, contemporary romances with ordinarily amazing characters. Readers have called her stories “poignant,” “explicit and steamy,” “interesting, intriguing and entertaining,” and “unlike any romance you’ve read before” (she assumes the latter was meant in a good way).
Starting in the Right Place: Where Does the Story Begin?
Presented by: Beth Daniels, aka Beth Henderson, J.B. Dane, Nied Darnell
Date: April 1 – 30, 2022 (one month)
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $15
Non-A2P Member fee: $30
About the Workshop:
I have a friend who is a NYT bestselling author. Even after 70 some titles, she still says when she starts writing it is always in the wrong place. She doesn’t get to the point where her story actually begins until Chapter Two. Which means she has to not only kill Chapter One, but make sure anything of importance that did get mentioned in Chapter One shifts to a better location.
The problem is a common one. I have a story that I’ve written the opening scene to three times and it was only that final time out that the story finally started in the right spot.
However, every wrong spot I begin means I’m narrowing in on the right spot.
How do you know the right spot from the wrong spot though? Ahh, that can be tricky. But there are “flags” to look for that help distinguish the right start from the wrong start.
Help you hit the spot that will snag a reader’s attention – and editors are among the first readers you want to snag, aren’t they?
In four weeks, we’ll pin down what is the best spot to start your story and come up with a template to judge future manuscripts by as well. Under the microscope will be characters’ motivation, identifying backstory and too much backstory, action, and more!
About the Presenter:
Beth Daniels lends the expertise she gained as a professional novelist with 30+ years and over 35 published novels, plus novellas and short stories to her list of achievements. Add in a BA in History and a MA in English Composition and Rhetoric with an Emphasis in Creative Writing, over a dozen years as a composition instructor at the college level, numerous online genre fiction writing workshops at various RWA online chapters, and the stats add up. She knows her onions and can maneuver her way through nearly any genre or subgenre birthed. She is one of the founders of the writing group The Bards of Bardstown and a past president of the Louisville, KY, Sisters in Crime chapter. Currently she writes The Raven Tales, an urban fantasy PI mystery comedy series, as J.B. Dane and standalone historical romantic mysteries, contemporary romantic suspense, and cozy paranormal mystery as Beth Henderson. Find her at www.4TaleTellers.com or Facebook.com/Beth Daniels or @BethDaniels1 on Twitter.
Indie Author’s Guide to Indie Editors
Presented by: Jen Graybeal
Date: April 18 – 29, 2022 (two week)
Pricing: A2P Member fee: $10
Non-A2P Member fee: $25
About the Workshop:
Editors are the not-so-secret sauce that help authors take their book to the next level. Everyone knows you need one, but finding the right editor for your project can be a challenge. Jen Graybeal is a book coach and indie editor has worked with indie published romance authors for years. In this course she is sharing the top ten things you need to know about finding, hiring and working with freelance editors.
About the Presenter:
Jen Graybeal (she/her) is a book coach, freelance editor, and author cheerleader working exclusively with romance authors. Her encouraging feedback, creative approach to problem solving, and gently-applied tough love inspires clients to take their books and business to the next level. She has a degree in English, an ever-expanding TBR, and a furball assistant that is usually on her lap. Visit her website for client testimonials at www.jengraybeal.com or follow her on Instagram: @JenTheEditor.
The Double D’s: Dynamic Description & Delicious Dialogue
Presented by: Laurie Schnebly Campbell
Date: April 23, 2022, 9AM PT
Pricing: A2P Member fee: No Charge
Non-A2P Member fee: $10
About the Workshop:
Everyone tends to be better at writing one of the big D’s. (If you’re fabulous at both, you don’t need this session!) What kind of dialogue makes your characters real? What kind of description works best for your voice? No two writers will use the same techniques for these key elements, but having new tools to choose from can make writing description and dialogue easier and more fun…not only for you, but for your readers as well.
About the Presenter:
Laurie Schnebly Campbell loves giving workshops that draw on her background as an advertising copywriter, a counseling therapist, and a romance novelist who beat out Nora Roberts for “Best Special Edition of the Year.” Her favorite books are those created in the classes she teaches for WriterUniv.com, with 51 first sales so far.