Join agent Katie Shea Boutillier to discuss in detail what we are looking for when we approach your first pages. Katie will provide a step-by-step demonstration of the importance of strong first pages, focusing on voice, tone, mood, setting, urgency, pace, description, dialogue, and a natural approach to your characters. Your ultimate goal is to make sure your readers (agents, editors, and beyond) are into your work immediately. Katie will guide you, utilizing her knowledge and experience, on what makes impressive first pages to readers.
Bryan Young has published dozens of short stories in anthologies, magazines, and other places and continues to write one a month. He also teaches short story writing at the University of Utah and for Script Digest as well as dozens of other conferences across the country. Through his course, he’ll guide you through generating ideas, common short story structures, and instructions on sticking the landing of your short story. He’ll also answer your questions to better prepare you for the world of writing short stories–start to finish–that sell.
On November 11, 2023, our 2nd Annual WDU Nonfiction Writing Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from FOUR award-winning and bestselling nonfiction authors on the finer points of writing nonfiction. Spend the day learning techniques for honing your craft from four different published nonfiction authors, then (if you choose) you can have a critique of either your query for a book project or your pitch for a magazine/web article. The literary agent will provide you with a personalized critique of your query letter or pitch.
In this live two-hour intensive webinar, digital media and publishing expert Jane Friedman will teach you how to use WordPress to get a basic website up and running in a day or less—often in one evening! If you have a neglected or abandoned website (or dusty blog), you’ll get inspired to revisit it and ensure you’re getting the most out of it. The good news: you don’t have to know any code, understand technical jargon, or have previous experience with website platforms. You also don’t need to own your own domain or have a hosting service yet—although you’ll learn the basics of each.
From Our Friends At Script University… Ever dreamed of seeing your idea, story, or novel on the screen? With so many platforms for screen storytelling, there’s never been a better time to make the transition to screenwriting. This seminar covers screenwriting basics – structure, formatting, pitching, and selling. Taught by Hollywood-based film and TV scribe, Jennifer Dornbush, who has penned feature films, developed several television series, adapted scripts to novel (and vice versa), and created a kid’s TV show.
Creating immersive experiences by adapting Jane K. Cleland’s four setting strategies enables you to set the stage for your stories, whether that stage is a gritty city past its prime or a charming small town on the coast—or anything in between. You’ll discover approaches to (1) create longing through juxtaposition of place and desire; (2) select locations that highlight character attributes like athleticism, bravery, or wit; (3) use sensory references to enable readers to fully engage with your locations; and (4) highlight those elements that are unusual, unfamiliar, intriguing, or dramatic.
Learn expert insights from SIX award-winning and bestselling authors on the finer points of how to write within the historical fiction genre. Spend the weekend learning techniques for honing your craft from six different published authors, then (if you choose) pitch your novel via query letter to a literary agent specifically looking for material in this genre. The agent will provide you with a personalized critique of your query – and maybe ask to see more. REGISTER NOW
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