Writers Digest University newsletters

Here are the latest Writers Digest University newsletters for my followers to peruse:

"'I'd recommend this quality experience in a heartbeat." - DV

The Easy Way to Start Writing

Have you always wanted to be a writer? Don't let doubt or fear get the best of you—take a chance and learn how to start writing a book, novel, short story, memoir, or essay. When you take this online writing workshop, you'll discover your voice, learn the basics of grammar and examine the different types of writing. No matter what type of writing you're planning on crafting—nonfiction or fiction—you'll need guidance along the way. During this workshop, you can expect to take an in-depth look at Keys to Great Writing by Stephen Wilbers, who teaches beginner writers how to start writing a novel or book and what it takes to get published. Draw upon advice from published authors and start your writing career today.

•  How to enhance your writing through description and sensory details •  The importance of editing and rewriting •  The fundamentals of grammar and mechanics •  The principles of creative writing •  The types of short nonfiction, including research articles, personal essays, books, and memoirs •  The various forms of fiction including short stories, short-short stories, novellas, and novels

•  Individuals who have always been interested in writing but are unsure where to start •  Beginning writers who want to explore multiple disciplines of writing •  Those looking to kick-start their writing with the help of a Published Author

•  "This course allows a novice to experience different types of writing while building their basic skills." -MH •  "Love Gloria...I enjoyed this challenging course." -NL •  "Taking this course showed me my strengths and weaknesses in writing...I would recommend this course." -SE

Thursday, September 6 - November 29, 2018 $379.99 Get Started >>

Instructor: Estelle Erasmus Estelle Erasmus is an award-winning journalist, writing coach and former magazine editor-in-chief of five publications, including Hachette’s Body by Jake, The American Breast Cancer Guide, and Women in Touch. She is a longtime member of the venerable American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), and was the conference chair for ASJA’s 2017 Conference in NYC. She also just launched a podcast for ASJA called ASJA Direct.

Additional Courses Starting September 6:

Advanced Novel Writing $799.99 LEARN MORE Pulp Fiction $229.99 LEARN MORE

Writing the Young Adult Novel $399.99 LEARN MORE The Art of Storytelling 102: Showing vs. Telling $229.99 LEARN MORE

EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | CONVENIENT ACCESS INVALUABLE FEEDBACK

We are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please click here to contact us.

F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA

Professional editors offer advice

When to Hire an Editor

By: P. S. Hoffman | August 9, 2018

Want to write the best possible book? You need an editor. Editors are critical for making your writing “tight” and immersive. But before you hire one, you must know the answers to these questions: When should I hire an editor? Why am I hiring them? How do I find the right editor? “For novelists, an editor should be hired when the author believes the manuscript is as good as it can possibly be,” says J. Thorn, founder of the Author Copilot. “Editors should not be a substitute for the planning, writing and hard work that goes into writing. Handing the cleanest manuscript possible to an editor will keep her focused on the big ideas rather than having to make corrections on mistakes that could have and should have already been fixed.” Ellen Brock, a professional novel editor, warns that you should PAY ATTENTION to what services your editor offers: “Make sure to carefully review what is and is not included in the services you purchase from an agent so that you know what you’re paying for. Many writers initially believe that editors will make major changes to their novel for them, but this is rarely the case. There are three broad areas of editing: Line editing focuses on the flow and feeling of your language. Proofreading seeks to fix only grammar, spelling and factual errors. For fiction writers, a developmental or structural edit will focus on the plot, the characters and the story as a whole. Generally speaking, an editor will specialize in one of these three fields. So, you need to figure out what kind of editing will give your manuscript the most powerful impact. Click here to learn more about choosing and hiring an editor. You'll also learn more about the editing process and what to expect. Also, be sure to check out 2nd Draft editorial services offered by Writer'sDigest. 2nd Draft only hires experienced and professional editors and you can trust that you will be getting the best services in the industry. You’ll not only learn what’s working in your writing, but what’s not, and—most important—how to fix it. "I just received feedback on the first 50 pgs of my manuscript from Bryan Tomasovich and I'm so happy with the results. His critique was incredibly insightful and I'm excited to get back to the editing process to include his input. What a great service at a great price!" -Andrea

Please do not reply to this email. We are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please click here to contact us.

F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA

Show agents how serious you are

Perfect Your Materials

Agents get literally thousands of submissions a year, including query letters, sample pages, and synopses. Of those thousands, they request a full manuscript from few and offer representation to even fewer. Think of your submission package as a job application for your book. You not only want to apply to the right people, the ones who have a passion for the books you write, but you want to present your book in such a way that they will easily see what your book has to offer. This live Writers Digest boot camp will teach you how to put together a dynamic yet professional submission package that will show agents you take your potential author career seriously and make them want to read your work. In this boot camp from Fuse Literary Agency, attendees will learn how to put together a short yet effective query letter, a one- to two-page book synopsis (fiction), and a nonfiction book proposal. They’ll also learn some best practices for submitting their query, pages, and synopsis and/or proposal to agents. Each attendee will have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with an agent and receive a valuable critique of ten pages of their work in any combination: query letter, manuscript pages, synopsis, or proposal. Here's how it Works: On Tuesday, September 18, you will gain access to a 60-minute tutorial recording led by literary agents Jennifer Chen Tran, Tricia Skinner, Michelle Richter, and Carlisle Webber. This tutorial will show you what agents expect from your submission package and how you can shape it to fit your needs. After listening to the presentation, attendees will spend the next two days revising materials as necessary. Following the tutorial, writers will have two days in which to log onto the discussion boards and ask your assigned agent critiquer questions related to revising your materials. The agents will be available for a discussion session from 1-3 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, September 19 and from 1-3 p.m. (PT) on Thursday, September 20. By end of day (11:59 p.m., PT) on Friday, September 21, attendees will submit up to 10 double-spaced pages for review to their assigned agents. These pages can include any combination of a double-spaced query, synopsis, book proposal, or pages of their manuscript. The agents will spend three weeks reviewing all assigned pages, provide relevant feedback and offer suggestions to help attendees improve upon them. The agents reserve the right to request more materials if they feel a strong connection to the work and want to read more.

•  Tuesday, September 18: Online Tutorials •  Wednesday, September 19: Agent Q&A 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (PT) •  Thursday, September 20: Agent Q&A 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (PT) •  Friday, September 21: Writers Submit Materials •  Friday, October 12: Agent Critiques Due

September 18th 2018 – September 21th 2018 $199.99 Save me a Seat >>

About the Agents:

Agent: Michelle Richter Michelle Richter joined Fuse Literary after eight years at St. Martin’s Press. While there, she edited nonfiction including MELISSA EXPLAINS IT ALL by Melissa Joan Hart, and worked on women’s fiction, memoir/ biography, pop culture, cookbooks, and diet/health books. She has an M.S. in Publishing from Pace University (where she is an adjunct faculty member). Seeking: Suspense, mystery, psychological thrillers, women's fiction, contemporary romance, YA contemporary, and YA mystery/thrillers.

Agent: Tricia Skinner Tricia Skinner obtained her undergraduate degree from the nationally acclaimed Journalism Institute for Media Diversity at Wayne State University and earned her graduate degree from Southern Methodist University.Tricia has 20 years of experience working with the video game industry in various roles, including public relations, industry relations, and writing/editing. She is also a hybrid author of passionate urban fantasy (represented by Fuse co-founder Laurie McLean). Diversity in genre fiction is dear to Tricia’s heart. As an agent, Tricia wants to represent authors who reflect diversity and cultures in their work. She specializes in Adult, Young Adult and Middle Grade. Seeking: Romance, middle grade, adult, and young adult.

Agent: Carlisle Webber Carlisle Webber refused to major in English in college because she didn't think there was anything fun to read on the required lists. After college, she took her love of commercial, YA, and middle grade fiction to the University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences, where she earned a Master of Library and Information Sciences. She worked as a public librarian for years before deciding to move to the business side of publishing. She attended the Columbia Publishing Course and holds a Professional Certificate in Editing from UC Berkeley. She is now an agent with Fuse Literary representing high-concept commercial fiction for children, teens, and adults. Seeking: Diverse and unique fiction authors, high-concept commercial fiction in middle grade, young adult, and adult. Carlisle's full manuscript wish list can be seen here.

*While we accept requests to work with a specific agent, there are no guarantees that attendees will be matched with their requested agent. All agents are able to provide critiques for all genres.

Please do not reply to this email. We are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please click here to contact us.

: F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA Progress your writing journey Our writing online workshops cover every aspect of writing, from how to get started all the way to getting your writing published. Writer’s Digest University features writing classes online for every skill level of writer and our professional instructors are dedicated to helping you achieve your writing goals. Click here to view course schedule >> Courses Starting This Week: Advanced Novel Writing Instructor: Mark Spencer While it is possible to write a novel in a month, in this workshop you'll spend 15 weeks writing yours—all the while gaining valuable feedback and getting the encouragement you need in order to finish writing your novel. Getting Started in Writing Instructor: Estelle Erasmus When you take this online writing workshop, you'll discover your voice, learn the basics of grammar and examine the different types of writing. No matter what type of writing you're planning on crafting—nonfiction or fiction—you'll need guidance along the way. Pulp Fiction Instructor: Philip Athans Are you wanting to tell a unique story? By studying the pulp tradition, we'll learn storytelling techniques that transcend the pulp genres. Query Letter in 14 Days Instructor: Jack Adler Take your writing one step further and tackle the publishing process. When you enroll in this online course, you'll learn the details of the query letter format and how to write a query letter that catches the attention of agents and publishers. The Art of Storytelling 102: Showing vs. Telling Instructor: Terri Valentine During this course you will learn the difference between showing and telling and when it’s good to tell instead of show. Discover how you can create a unique style that puts your story on the map! Writing the Young Adult Novel Instructor: Holly Alder During this course you will learn everything you need to know for writing young adult fiction, including what readers look for, the importance of plot, theme, and setting, how to craft entertaining dialogue, and much more. This Month's Featured Courses: Middle Grade and Young Adult Virtual Conference Dates: September 14 - 17 Spend the weekend learning Young Adult and Middle Grade tips and techniques from six different published authors. You will then pitch your novel via query letter to an agent specializing in YA and MG genres. Experience the education, camaraderie, and opportunities provided by a live writing conference without ever having to leave your home! Learn more >> Literary Agent Boot Camp: Perfecting Submission Materials Dates: September 18 - 21 In this boot camp, presented by Fuse Literary Agency, you will learn to put together effectve and dynamic sybmission materials that will show agents how sersious you are about your work and writing career. Learn more >> View Upcoming Course Schedule Please do not reply to this email. We are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please click here to contact us.  F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA Pitch an agent your MG or YA novel Writer's Digest University is pleased to present an exclusive virtual conference for middle grade and young adult writers! On September 15 and 16, our Middle Grade and Young Adult Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from SIX award-winning and best-selling authors on the finer points of how to write within the middle grade and young adult genres. 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 the middle grade and young adult genres. The agent will provide you with a personalized critique of your query – and maybe ask to see more. Experience the education, camaraderie, and opportunities provided by a live writing conference without ever having to leave your home! All participants will benefit from: SIX all-new, one-hour webinar presentations provided by award-winning and bestselling middle grade & young adult authors*, all examining different aspects of writing novels in these genres. Each session will include an opportunity for live Q&A with the authors! A critique (with written feedback) of your query letter from an agent with experience in the middle grade and young adult genres. A bonus 90-minute On Demand webinar covering how to write a query letter so you're prepared when pitching your novel to agents. (A $79.99 value!) The ability to network with other middle grade and young adult writers via discussion boards that will be open throughout the weekend. Share ideas, and even your work if you choose. Unlimited OnDemand viewing! All conference sessions will be made available for download in the week following the live presentations. Even if you can't attend every session live, you will be able to view each lecture on your own whenever you choose. Learn Valuable Techniques to Hone Your Craft *Our craft-focused conference schedule is designed to provide the kind of education that all middle grade and young adult writers can use to take their work to the next level. The following sessions are confirmed for the event. Click on the "Conference Schedule" tab for the complete details on our lineup. **Sessions and speakers confirmed as of August 20, 2018. Making It Real: Breathing Life Into Fiction by Maria Lamba Agent and author Marie Lamba shares her favorite tips and techniques for transforming fiction from flat words on the page into a truly engrossing and realistic read. Choose Your Superpower: How to Find and Harness Your Story’s Strengths by Ammi-Joan Paquette So you have drafted a novel… now what? What takes a novel from draft to bestseller? Learn to seek out the hidden powers within your manuscript, how to find these strengths and develop them into a bonafide superpower that will blast your novel right into publication. Perfecting POV in Middle Grade and Teen Novels by Gabrielle Prendergast This hour-long session with award-winning author G.S. (Gabrielle) Prendergast will help you choose and execute the perfect point of view for your middle grade or teen novel. A Hook and a Character: How to Make Readers Hungry for Your Fiction by Debbie Dadey Explore two of the most important elements in a children’s book: the hook and the characters. These are what will make your story stand out from others in the slush pile and make readers hungry for another one of your books. Pitch Your Middle Grade or Young Adult Novel to a Literary Agent Join us for the live event and have a chance to get written feedback on your query letter from a literary agent who works with middle grade or young adult authors (or both). Participating agents to date are Cari Lamba (Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency) and Amelia Appel (Triada US). Additional agents will be added soon. Click on the “Participating Literary Agents" tab for more information! •  "I really enjoyed the conference and the material presented was helpful and applicable to the projects I am working on. " -SC •  " I would (and do) highly recommend the online workshops" -AR September 14 -17, 2018 $199.99 Reserve A Seat About the Agents: Cari Lamba Cari Lamba is an Associate Literary Agent at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. She is actively seeking to represent fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle grade commercial fiction, as well as adult commercial fiction with a special interest in mysteries. Prior to officially joining the team of agents, Cari interned for the agency for eight years. Cari graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. She has experience as a bookseller and working in libraries. Cari has been published in Writer’s Digest and has taught webinars for Writer’s Digest as well. Amelia Appel Amelia Appel is an Assistant Literary Agent at Triada US. She joined Triada after previously assisting at McIntosh & Otis, Inc. and Writers House. She is seeking adult fiction, nonfiction, and occasional YA. For adult fiction, she is most interested in literary fiction, mystery, thriller, upmarket women’s fiction, science fiction and fantasy, and horror. Projects with a smart, distinct voice, a fantastic setting to jump into, and/or a witty protagonist are all up her alley. She is not looking for romance novels. For adult nonfiction, she is primarily looking for creative nonfiction, humor, sports, how-to, pop culture, and true crime. She is not looking to represent memoir. For YA, she is particularly interested in stories with a savvy protagonist and a slightly dark tone that deal with serious coming-of-age issues well. EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | CONVENIENT ACCESS INVALUABLE FEEDBACK Please do not reply to this email. We are happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please click here to contact us.  F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA

Hurry, course starts this week!

Turn Your Love for Words Into a Lucrative Career

Writing is your passion. Why not make it your day job, too? Whether you’re an aspiring screenwriter, novelist or playwright, or even just an avid reader, you can turn your love for words into a lucrative career as a professional copywriter. Learn how to become a copywriter by building your portfolio and marketing your services through this online workshop. With the explosion of the Internet, the need for creative copywriters who can craft compelling advertising has skyrocketed. And because most companies across all sectors need marketing content, copywriting is a virtually recession-proof career choice. Freelance copywriters work from home and set their own schedules, giving them the time they need to pursue their personal creative projects. Imagine what you could do with those extra hours, not to mention extra cash!

•  Utilize copywriting theory to produce high-quality advertising •  Generate a professional Creative Brief •  Write Headlines and Taglines that sell •  Apply emotional techniques to persuade an audience

•  Writers looking to make money from their craft. •  Copywriters who want to fine tune their work.

•  "The course is very good, the instructor is excellent, the lessons are informative and practical." -RB •  "I've had zero copywriting experience before this class and now I feel a lot more confident in pursuing this path. " -MT

Thursday, August 30, 2018 – September 27, 2018 $249.99 Sign me up >>

Instructor: Naveen Saleh Naveed Saleh is a freelance medical writer and editor who has written for a variety of national publications and content-marketing teams.

EXPERT INSTRUCTORS | CONVENIENT ACCESS INVALUABLE FEEDBACK : F+W, 10151 Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA