March Events

1

 Goal Hunters: Revealing The Real Story Stakes And Motives        **FULL** (Workshop)
Raquel Rodriguez. Is the REAL story point missing? Hook your reader by creating page-turning conflicts based in realism with a believable GMC, viable stakes, and a firm plot foundation. Deal with and overcome stalled situations by redefinition and redevelo...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


7

 Foreshadowing (Mini-Workshop)
Instructor: June Diehl. The Foreshadowing workshop explores the purpose of this techniques and how to effectively use it in fiction. We will look at when and how the technique might be used and when not to use it. Examples from published novels will be used as wel...
Duration: 6 days Craft Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


7

 BDSM in Romance (Workshop)
Presented by Sascha Illyvich . This workshop is for authors particularly in the romance genre who dabble BDSM in any form, be it writing spanking stories, light bondage, or like myself, heavier darker things. Many folks think that once a book is written the author’s...
Duration: 6 days Craft, Genre Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


7

 How, When and Why to Change Point Of View Mid-Scene (Mini-Workshop)
Presented by Laurie Saunders. If you write romance and you’ve been writing it for very long you’ve heard the advice. Don’t head-hop! Don’t change viewpoint anywhere but at scene and chapter breaks! Join Black Velvet Seductions founder and Editor-in-Chief Laurie Sande...
Duration: 6 days Craft Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


7

 Writing Erotic Love Scenes        **FULL** (Mini-Workshop)
Instructor: Tambra Kendall. Let erotic romance author, Tambra Kendall help you write love scenes that sizzle. Tambra will share her techniques for making the reader run for a glass of water to cool down. If you'd like to spice up your love scenes, then this is the co...
Duration: 7 days Craft Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


14

 Writing Erotic Love Scenes (Second Session)        **FULL** (Mini-Workshop)
Instructor: Tambra Kendall. SECOND SESSION NOW AVAILABLE Let erotic romance author, Tambra Kendall help you write love scenes that sizzle. Tambra will share her techniques for making the reader run for a glass of water to cool down. If you'd like to spice up your ...
Duration: 6 days Craft Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


14

 Before Copy Editing (Mini-Workshop)
Presented by Claudia Suzanne. Misplacing a comma or dangling a participle won't knock you out of the land-a-publisher contest -- but poor structure and static writing will. Poor structure is the number one reason nonfiction books don't sell. It's the number one reas...
Duration: 4 days Editing, Publishing Members: FREE
Non-Members: FREE


14

 World Building in Sci Fi and Fantasy        **FULL** (Mini-Workshop)
Instructor: Christine Amsden. Whether subtly or drastically different from reality, science fiction and fantasy stories take place in their own worlds. It could be a near-future science fiction thriller based on current politics or an other-world fantasy with elves, dwa...
Duration: 6 days Craft, Genre Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


21

 How To Promote When You Don't Know How (Mini-Workshop)
Presented by Jamison Wolf. You’ve written a book and a publisher has agreed to publish it. Congratulations! But now the real hard work begins. Now you’re going to have to promote that book. Most authors are unaware that they will have to do the majority of the p...
Duration: 4 days Promo Members: FREE
Non-Members: FREE


21

 World Building in Sci Fi and Fantasy (Second Session)        **FULL** (Workshop)
Instructor: Christine Amsden. Whether subtly or drastically different from reality, science fiction and fantasy stories take place in their own worlds. It could be a near-future science fiction thriller based on current politics or an other-world fantasy with elves, dwa...
Duration: 6 days Craft, Genre Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


25

 Editing & Book Design: After the Writing Is Done (Mini-Workshop)
Instructor: Jill Ronsley. What do you need to know when you have finished writing your manuscript? If you plan to submit to a publisher or agent, you will probably want the text to be edited by a professional editor. If you are self-publishing your book, what do you...
Duration: 6 days Editing Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


28

 Crash Revisions (Mini-Workshop)
Presented by Holly Lisle. Here's the scenario: Well-Known-Writer Britta Brigga blows her deadline, and leaves the lead slot for her category in the month her book was to be published wide open. So your editor, who has your manuscript sitting on her desk, emails you,...
Duration: 4 days Craft, Editing, Publishing, Industry Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


28

 Promoting with Social Media (Mini-Workshop)
Theresa Meyers. Social media is a big buzz word these days, but what is it and how can an author use it to make more out of every promotion dollar? Learn from a book publicist about the ins and outs of how sites such as Twitter, MySpace and Facebook work, ...
Duration: 6 days Promo, Industry Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


29

 Writing By The Signs: Creating Believable Characters with Astrology (Workshop)
Raquel Rodriguez. Discover hidden facts about your characters with Astrology. Do your main characters fall flat and fail or engage your reader? Are your characters 2-dimensional? Does your contest feedback suggest you need more substance for that well-r...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


April Events

4

 The Art of the Pitch (Workshop)
Instructor: Cindy Carroll. What’s your three line pitch? If someone asks you need to be able to tell them what your story is about. For queries or agent/editor appointments the three line pitch works well to get your story across. This workshop will help you hon...
Duration: 6 days Query/Pitch Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


5

 Ten Ugly Truths About Publishing (Mini-Workshop)
Presented By Renee Rocco, Publisher of Lyrical Press. Join her for an intensive one day workshop on April 5, 2010. She will shed light on the 10 Ugly and Unfair Truths About Publishing, shattering some of the more common myths about publishing. Through this workshop, Ms. Rocco hopes to hel...
Duration: 1 day Publishing, Industry Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


5

 Painfree Synopsis Writing (Workshop)
Presented by Sally J. Walker. Novelists and Dramatists alike need to be able to summarize their stories in succinct 1-4 page synopsis format for marketing purposes. Do you know how to take that screenplay or 60,000-100,000 word novel to a mere 500 words and maintain th...
Duration: 28 days Query/Pitch Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


5

 Story Structure for Romance Writers (Mini-Workshop)
Instructor: Larry Brooks. Details Coming!
Duration: 4 days Craft Members: FREE
Non-Members: $5


11

 How Do I Get My Book Published? (Workshop)
Presented By Connie Cox. An unbiased exploration of the pros and cons of self-publishing, vanity publishing and traditional publishing and the gray areas in-between. Part one: Self-publishing Part two: Vanity Publishing Part three: Traditional Publishing ...
Duration: 6 days Publishing, Industry Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


11

 The Big Question: How to Create a Powerful Novel from a Few Ideas and One Big Question (Workshop)
Instructor: Marilynn Byerly. Have you ever read a story then felt dissatisfied by it as you put it down? All the story elements--plot, characters, romance, and suspense--were there, but something was missing. That something is often called depth or resonance, and it's...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


12

 Cop Characters: How To Make Them Click and What Makes Them Tick (Workshop)
Instructor: Jaye Roycroft. Know how to get inside your cop character's head and give him or her the kind of attitude that brings the character to life and adds reality to your story. You'll learn what's important to cops, how to get a cop's emotions right, and how...
Duration: 29 days Craft, Genre Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


12

 Running in the Dark: Organic Structure for Character-driven Stories (Workshop)
Instructor: Jodi Henley. “Character-driven” and “organic” are the new buzzwords, but do you really know what they mean and how they can help your writing? Build characters from the inside out, and write an emotional story that will land your book on the keeper shel...
Duration: 6 days Craft Members: $7
Non-Members: $10


26

 Defining Erotica – A Primer for Authors of All Genres (Workshop)
Presented by the Authors of Write Sex. The class will focus on the basic elements of what makes a story erotic regardless of the genre. Syllabus: 1. Defining erotica 2. Stereotypes of Erotica 3. Popular Literature examples 1. Sci-fi ...
Duration: 6 days Genre Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


26

 What an Editor Wants (Workshop)
Instructor: Patricia Tanner. Patricia Tanner, Senior Editor in the historical department at The Wild Rose Press will spend the first five days discussing what an editor looks for in a submission. Grammar issues, POV, and Showing vs telling. The last five days you w...
Duration: 11 days Members: $10
Non-Members: $25


May Events

3

 Who ARE All These People? The Role of Secondary Characters in Romance (Workshop)
Instructor: Jen Safrey. You have your hero. You are in love with him, and you’re sure your readers will be too. He’s sexy, smart, rugged, shy, daring, protective, whatever. You have your heroine. You have put a little of yourself into her, and you’re sure your rea...
Duration: 28 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


3

 Steamed Up: The Anatomy of Writing Steampunk (Workshop)
Instructor: Beth Daniels aka Nied Darnell. Toss another shovel full of coal on the fire, it’s time to get steamed up with steam punk, one of the newest “societies” around. What qualifies it as a society? Let’s see, there are graphic novels, jewelry, apparel, home accessories, mu...
Duration: 28 days Genre Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


10

 Edge of your Seat: How to add Suspense to your Writing (Workshop)
Instructor: Fleur Bradley. Do you ever wonder what makes that book such a page-turner? Wish you could keep a reader at the edge of your seat with your writing? This workshop teaches you how to write riveting fiction, and how to write chapters that keep your ...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


10

 Inside the Criminal Mind (Workshop)
Instructor: Lucinda Schroeder. Inside the Criminal Mind gives writers the information they’ll need to characterize their deviate story people. This course covers criminal motivation, mind-set, self-talk and why deviants expect their crimes to go undetected. Devi...
Duration: 27 days Genre Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


10

 Todd Stone Presents - Character(s) and Conflict--More is More and More is Better (Workshop)
Six lessons, four weeks Presenter: Todd Stone, the Novelist's Boot Camp guy Ever hear an editor say "Sorry, your story has too much conflict?" Didn't think so. And you probably won't, either. In this workshop we'll provide you wit...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


31

 Creating an Effective Book Business Plan Workshop (Workshop)
Presented by Deborah Magnus. One of the most productive things an author can do is write a Book Business Plan. It’s a required exercise for non-fiction book proposals and easily as important as actually writing the book, whether non-fiction or fiction. Why? 1) Writ...
Duration: 4 days Publishing, Promo, Industry Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


31

 The Power of the Right Question (Workshop)
Instructor: Susan Meier. Ever wonder why some authors books seem to be head and shoulders above the rest? In The Power of the Right Question, Susan Meier discusses Story Question, Chapter Question and development of Questions for Lists of Twenty and shows you how t...
Duration: 28 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


June Events

3

 Ignite Your Fiction (Workshop)
Instructor: Sally Walker. Learn how to examine and WRITE succinct, vivid examples of Exposition, Description, Narration/Summary, and Action-Dialogue. Experienced writers will learn to "think" in revision and New writers will work on the habit of purpose from the ver...
Duration: 25 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


7

 Make a Scene (Workshop)
Instructor: June Diehl. Make a Scene explores the elements that go into structuring a scene, how to decide how to begin and end a scene, and the types of scenes and when to use them. We will also touch on setting, point of view, and character and plot development ...
Duration: 14 days Craft Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


7

 Weapons, Violence and Reality (Workshop)
Instructor: Rory Miller. Conflict is the essence of story-telling. Violence is the rawest and most visceral form of conflict. Rory Miller, former Corrections Officer, Tactical Team leader and Contractor/Advisor in Iraq will help you get the details right. The cla...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


28

 Using Writer's Block As A Building Block For Ideas (Workshop)
Instructor: Raquel Rodriguez. Using Writer's Block As A Building Block For Ideas Want to just write? Stop fighting your Muse! Dry spells can indicate the dreaded writer’s block, a rough wall to hurtle. Teacher and writer, Raquel Rodriguez, can help you understand t...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


July Events

5

 Sleuth Facts: Real PI Procedures for Your Plots (Workshop)
Instructor: Linnea Sinclair. Slink down any interesting back alleys lately? Retired Florida Private Investigator and award winning sci fi author , Linnea Sinclair , invites you to step into the world of private detective work and learn the basic procedures -- and som...
Duration: 27 days Craft, Genre Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


5

 Plotting Subplots (Workshop)
Instructor: June Diehl. Plotting Subplots explores the nature, purpose, and types of subplots that can be used in novels. We will look at ways to develop subplots based on main and secondary characters and to chart the ebb and flow of subplots within the main plo...
Duration: 7 days Craft Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


12

 Where to Begin - Six Sure Fired Ways to Begin Your Book (Workshop)
Instructor: BJ Daniels. This is a hands-on workshop. During the week we will use six different methods to write that all-important first paragraph of your book. If you’re like me, you take a book off the shelf at the store, open it to Chapter One and read...
Duration: 6 days Craft Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


19

 The Basics of Romance Writing (Workshop)
Instructor: Tambra Kendall. Come and explore the diversity of the romance genre. Learn writing techniques needed to begin your manuscript or assist you further in an ongoing project. Information on creating characters, plot and scene and sequel are a few of the areas ...
Duration: 13 days Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


19

 Writing Figuratively (Workshop)
Instructor: Sarah Winn. This workshop covers the benefits and dangers of using figurative language in your writing. It is divided into twelve lessons: Lesson 1. Introduction Lesson 2. Metaphors Lesson 3. The Power of Metaphors Lesson 4. Similes, Personifica...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


August Events

2

 Undercover Ops for Writers (Workshop)
Instructor: Lucinda Schroeder. Lucinda Schroeder dives into the cloistered world of undercover work and reveals many of its secrets. You’ll learn how sting operations are set up along with many other strategies undercover agents use to gain confidence with the criminal e...
Duration: 27 days Genre Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


2

 A Writer's Guide to Harry Potter (Workshop)
Instructor: Susan Sipal. Though many an envious writer would like to think JK Rowling’s secret to success is just a bunch of magical mayhem, we Muggle writers can learn from the skills which have made her Harry Potter series more than beloved, but truly an absolute...
Duration: 34 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


30

 Breathless Breaks: Building Suspense with Every Scene and Chapter (Workshop)
Presented By Natalie Damschroeder. Using examples from published novels and participant samples, Natalie J. Damschroder shows how to use the anatomy of a hook (setup, climb, punch, and payoff) to build suspense with every scene and chapter break. Intensify tension, strengthe...
Duration: 6 days Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


September Events

2

 Novel Perspectives (Workshop)
Instructor: Sally Walker. Examine your storytelling process from start to finish. Whether you are a total newbie or an author of 30 novels, you can find tricks and processes that will challenge and freshen your productivity. No one wants to be a forgettable copyca...
Duration: 32 days Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


6

 Plotting Strategy – Put your Characters in the Driver’s Seat (Workshop)
Instructor: Sharon Mignerey. Characters, not plot, drive a story forward. If you’ve ever received a rejection to the effect of “this story seems contrived” or “your characters don’t seem real” this workshop is just for you. This workshop includes the following mod...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


6

 Historical Angles: Writing Historical Fiction (Workshop)
Instructor: Beth Daniels. History, they say, is written by the winners. So how do YOU become a winner when it comes to writing historical fiction? In many ways, actually. There are subdivisions in the field that run the gambit from true-to-life depictions to twi...
Duration: 27 days Craft, Genre Members: $15
Non-Members: $20


13

 Surveillance 101 (Workshop)
Instructors: Colleen Collins and Shaun Kaufman. An overview of surveillances, from stationary to mobile to electronic, plus pointers on the legalities of surveillance. One week, 2 classes, questions answered by email in-between Class 1 Introduction All PIs Do Surveillances, Right? ...
Duration: 6 days Genre Members: $10
Non-Members: $15


20

 Got High Concept? (Workshop)
Instructor: Lori Wilde. What you'll get: * 1) Three step-by-step methods for creating a high concept. * 2) First aid for low concept books. * 3) Advice from top industry insiders. * 4) Hints, tips and secrets for putting emotion in your pi...
Duration: 13 days Members: $10
Non-Members: $20


October Events

4

 Master the Three Act Structure (Workshop)
Instructor: Stephen Rogers. During the length of this course, you'll learn the fundamentals of three-act structure and how to use this structure to write better books. Lesson 1 - Introduction to the three-act structure Lesson 2 - The inciting incident Lesson 3 - ...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


4

 Is There A Set Designer in the House? Using Description to Enhance Your Storyline (Workshop)
Instructor: Beth Daniels. In the movie world there are folks whose whole job revolves around finding locations in which to film. They look for elements that will add to the script, and so do the wardrobe people, the professionals who choose the actors, the composer ...
Duration: 27 days Craft Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


4

 Magic, Monsters and Amour: Creating a Believable Paranormal, Fantasy, or SF World (Workshop)
Instructor: Marilynn Byerly. Are vampires, fairies, and space aliens real? If you create the right background for your paranormal romance, they will be to a reader. Marilynn Byerly will show you how to create a fantasy or paranormal background from scratch and how to...
Duration: 27 days Craft, Genre Members: $15
Non-Members: $25


November Events

1

 Breaking Things Down Into Threes (Workshop)
Instructor: Beth Daniels. You’re a Pantser and you like things that way. And yet, it sure would be handy to have some sort of plan in mind so that you can write faster and more efficiently, right? The trouble is, all the books and articles that tell you how to do th...
Duration: 20 days Members: $10
Non-Members: $20