WOW! Classes: Invest in Yourself, Write More
In This Issue
Special Offer: FREE PG Subscription with Class Enrollment
Jan/Feb 2010 Classes
Get Paid to Write: Become a Freelance Writer!
Become a Ghostwriter
The Gatekeepers: All About Agents & Editors
Food Writing: The Basics
All the World's a Stage: An Introduction to Playwriting
Short Fiction Writing
Writing for Children: Short Stories, Articles, Fillers
Finding Your Writer's Voice
Advanced Writing For Magazines
Quick Links
WOW! Women On Writing Classes & Workshops
Start the new year off right!

Greetings!


Have you set your writing goals for 2010?
The new year is the perfect time to focus on your career as a writer.

Are you a freelancer who wants to try fiction? A fiction writer who's interested in magazine writing? Or maybe a writer happy with her genre, who just wants some extra practice or instruction? If so, consider adding a writing class to your New Year's goals.

We want you to succeed! We know classes are the perfect way to jump start your writing career, so we are offering you a FREE one-year subscription to Premium-Green Writers' Markets when you sign up for any class this week (details below). Enjoy!

Special Offer for WOW! Subscribers:

As a loyal subscriber, and to help motivate you, we are offering you a FREE one-year subscription to Premium-Green Writers' Markets ($48 value) with your purchase of any class from today until Monday, January 4, 2010.

Premium-GreenHere's a quick breakdown of what you'll receive with your
Premium-Green subscription:

- 100+ page e-book every month
- Markets for writers of every genre and profession: freelance gigs for editors, copywriters, ghostwriters, bloggers; fiction markets; anthology calls; magazine markets; writing contests; niche markets; greeting card and filler markets, and more
- First calls from WOW! Women On Writing
- Articles and interviews not found elsewhere: interviews with editors of magazines and websites; columns: In the Trenches, Tips & Tricks, Get Writing, Mamas!, Meet Your Mentor (interviews with professional freelance writers), Project Workbook (an interactive Q&A with subscribers and advice column), Success Stories (celebrating PG members' successes in the marketplace)
- PG subscriber group: network with your peers, post discussions, ask questions, and receive insider tips from a private Google listserv (For an example of a recent discussion, view this blog post.)
- Group files: downloads of e-books, contracts, and all previous issues of Premium-Green Writers' Markets e-books (26 total)

One Week Only: Receive all of the above for FREE when you enroll in any of our online classes this week only. Upon purchase of your class, we will contact you with instructions on how to access your subscription. Offer good through: January 4, 2010.
 

Make this your year for focusing on your writing career. We have a fabulous selection of classes and instructors that will help you reach your writing goals.

Classes by starting date:

January 5, 2010: Last Week to Register for these classes!


BECOME A FREELANCE WRITER! Your Complete Guide to Freelance Writing Basics (Boot Camp Edition), by Nicole LaMarco


BECOME A GHOSTWRITER by Nicole LaMarco


January 11, 2010:


THE GATEKEEPERS: ALL ABOUT AGENTS AND EDITORS - Getting them, Working with them, and Growing as a Career Author, by Andrea Campbell


New Class!
FOOD WRITING: THE BASICS by Mary MacRae Warren


New Class!
ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE: AN INTRODUCTION TO PLAYWRITING by Christina Hamlett


January 12, 2010:


SHORT FICTION WRITING by Gila Green


January 13, 2010:


WRITING FOR CHILDREN Everything You Need to Know About Short Stories, Articles, and Fillers, by WOW! Editor Margo L. Dill


January 18, 2010:


New Class!

FINDING YOUR WRITER'S VOICE by Alison Dubois

February 1, 2010:


ADVANCED WRITING FOR MAGAZINES by Linda DiProperzio


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Personal Attention from InstructorsHow the courses work:
All of the courses operate online--whether through email, website, chat room, or listserv, depending on the instructor's preferences--and are taught one-on-one with the instructor. The flexibility of the platform allows students to complete assignments on their own time and work at their own pace in the comfort of their own home. It's a wonderful experience and an excellent way to further develop your skills, boost your income, or to try your hand at something completely new!


Below are the details of the courses we have coming up, listed by date. Be sure to enroll early for guaranteed placement.
Some of the instructors only take 8-10 students per course so make sure you look at the requirements.

Enjoy!

Questions? E-mail Marcia & Angela: [email protected]
Last week to register!
GET PAID TO WRITE: BECOME A FREELANCE WRITER
YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO FREELANCE WRITING BASICS (Boot Camp Edition)

INSTRUCTOR: Nicole LaMarco

START DATE: Tuesday, January 5, 2010

DURATION: 4 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Want to get started making money as a freelance writer? Jump right in with this four-week intensive boot camp edition of the original Get Paid to Write class.

This class is for beginning freelance writers or for those who are interested in becoming freelance writers. It includes all of the basics of freelance writing: overviews of the different fields in freelance writing, what is needed to begin, how to store ideas, where to get ideas, how much you should make, where to find clients, and how to get clients.

In this class, I am your writing mentor through every lesson and every assignment. Make some extra money with your writing or create your own full-time freelance career! Learn from my personal stories, information, resources, goals, activities, lessons, and assignments. This class will provide the you with the structure and guidance you need to receive compensation for your writing. A certification will be given to those who pass the entire class.


WEEKS AT A GLANCE:


Week 1:  Choosing a Writing Field
You will get my ebook on the different fields of freelance writing to study. I will talk about the most lucrative freelance writing careers and how the economy is changing the world of freelancing. I will also discuss the importance of choosing a freelance writing niche.

Assignment: Choose your freelance writing niche.


Week 2: Creating Your Portfolio and Resume
Every writer needs a portfolio. This is especially important for those just starting out. I will show you how to put together a portfolio even if you don't have any clips. I will also show you how to store your work and stay organized. I'll teach you how to write an eye-catching resume that will include all of your writing skills, experience, and education. I will give you a freelance writing template to help you create your own resume.

Assignment: Put together a portfolio and create your writing resume.


Week 3:  Money Making Writer
This lesson will discuss how much money most writers and editors make in their respective fields. I will help you figure out how much money you want to make, and how you can calculate your hourly rate.

Assignment: Calculate your hourly rate and set up a fee schedule.

Week 4:  Bagging Your First Client
At this point, you will be ready to obtain your first client! I will show you how to market and promote your services in the freelance industry. I will also teach you how to stand out from the competition, where to get clients, and how to find potential clients.

Assignment: Obtain your first client.


Nicole LaMarcoABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Nicole LaMarco has been a full-time freelance writer for 8 years. She specializes in ghostwriting and copywriting. She enjoys helping other newbie writers find success with her website and ezine, Writing Pays, as well as with her email class Become a Freelance Writer.



COST: $150, which includes email support and feedback from your instructor, weekly assignments, and a FREE ebook, Paying Markets for Writers, (valued at $19.95). Paying Markets for Writers contains direct links to over 1,000 paying publications online! (4 weeks, starting 1/5/2010) Limit: 25 students. Register now!


Last week to register!
BECOME A GHOSTWRITER

INSTRUCTOR: Nicole LaMarco

START DATE: Tuesday, January 5, 2010

DURATION: 8 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Ghostwriting is one of the most lucrative writing niches. Ghostwriters get paid to write books, e-books, articles, and more for their clients. This e-mail course on becoming a ghostwriter will show you how you can make money ghostwriting. I've been a ghostwriter for 8 years and have ghostwritten over 10 books and thousands of articles for my clients. I will share my personal stories, information, resources, goals, activities, lessons, and assignments. This class will provide you with the structure and guidance you need to start making money as a ghostwriter.

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:


Week 1:  Ghostwriting Basics

Week 2: Choose Your Expertise

Week 3: Choosing an Agent or Not

Week 4: Who Hires Ghostwriters?

Week 5: Marketing for Ghostwriters

Week 6: Setting Your Ghostwriting Fees

Week 7: Finding Ghostwriting Clients

Week 8: Working With Your Client


Nicole LaMarcoABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Nicole LaMarco has been a full-time freelance writer for 8 years. She specializes in ghostwriting and copywriting. She enjoys helping other newbie writers find success with her website and ezine, Writing Pays, as well as with her email class Become a Freelance Writer.



COST: $150, which includes email support and feedback from your instructor. (8 weeks, starting 1/5/2010) Limit: 25 students. Register now!




THE GATEKEEPERS: ALL ABOUT AGENTS AND EDITORS Getting them, Working with them, and Growing as a Career Author 
 
INSTRUCTOR: Andrea Campbell

START DATE: Monday, January 11, 2010

DURATION: 4 weeks

COURSE OBJECTIVES: In order to succeed in this industry, you, the writer, must know it intimately from all sides. If you were a clothing designer: you wouldn't start without creative talent, the right materials, and a pattern to guide you. If you opened up a retail business, you wouldn't expect to: sell your products without knowing how to produce or restock your merchandise; you wouldn't open your doors without having a business foundation or center from which to sell, and you wouldn't try operating without a market strategy or knowing the competition. So why would you expect writing to be any different? Yet thousands of would-be authors do. They buy into the philosophy that if I just pen a terrific book, then I will become successful.

Well, craft is surely something all writers should work at and a beautiful book can certainly open doors, but only those writers who know and understand the business will stay on to succeed. Now, if you want to write as a hobby or don't care to try to earn a living at this work, then this course will just be a knowledge primer. But if you want to create and write for a living, then you must learn the principles for this hard-knock business.

EXPERIENCE TELLS ME
I've taught online for many years. I've seen dozens of students come and go with me at Painter's Rock, Kiss of Death, Mediabistro, Absolute Write and Renegade Writers. And I wrote and specialize in a course that teaches writers how to create a nonfiction book proposal from idea through to sales. I always tell my students right off the bat to clear the decks. To make sure that they have time to do the work, train themselves to think, and be able to focus enough to complete the assignments.

Still, with all this preparation laid out, I am not surprised any longer by the number of authors who don't want to do the work. A large part of book selling is market research. How these talented writers thought they could bypass this integral element and still succeed, is not funny. It's sad. Sad because they don't stick around long enough to realize their goals. Then, again, I have had the student who is hungry for information, accepts criticism like a champ, and goes on to get a six-figure advance. Yes, a student of mine got what Publisher's Lunch calls a "very good deal"--that is a $100k+ advance.

Now, much of the work we do here in this e-course is also market-related. And, yes, it is work and much is expected of you. To boot, a lot of what you'll learn is not clearly visible. That means, it is not something that is quantifiable on paper. It is invisible knowledge. But it is not something that you cannot grasp or do if you dig in. And in the end, you will take less hits, endure less disappointment, and have the ability to succeed in the writing industry if you stay and learn and stick with the program.

In his book, You Can Make It Big Writing Books, agent Jeff Herman says, "There is no greater illusion for writers than thinking talent is what takes a book from manuscript to store shelf. You may write like Papa Hemingway, spin a yarn like Mark Twain, or tell a tale of two cities like the dickens. But in this day of conglomerates, mergers and imprints, and bottom lines, even the masters would have to learn the rules of the game."

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:

Week 1: Introduction to the Book Publishing Industry
(A primer on business; publishing house set-up, how a book is made). Plus, The Skinny on Agents and Editors (Who they are; what they do).

Assignment: Start online research; benefits of your book for reader list; visit library, bookstore. Online chat.

Week 2: Know and Define Your Product
(Easily the singular, most important part of selling a book; plus how to re-focus your book). Bios, Platform and Credentials (What you need to build a book persona; tips on how to become an expert; realizing the steps for an author's long-time career).

Assignment: Write bio, create a plan for building a platform, set first goal. Analyzing the competition, defining your book. Online chat.

Week 3: Getting an Agent, or Editor
(Queries, synopsis, business letters, and book proposals; get their attention--what to do and what not to do; Agent Blogs; Sharks; Formatting Your Submissions).

Assignment: Write a sample query; begin a synopsis, create a cover letter, explain what's in your book proposal. Check the Internet for "Beware"s and share the URL. Online chat.

Week 4: How to be a Valuable Client
(Questions to ask Before You Sign; Contract Tips; Expectations; Frequently-Asked Agent Questions).

Assignment: Write a paragraph about your agent/editor expectations. Target your agents by their specialties; format exercise. Online chat.

By the end of this course you will:

- Know how the publishing business works
- Know what the key players do and how to find them
- Know how to describe your product and its features
- Be able to do a market survey and assessment, and apply those skills over and over to everything you do in the future
Prepare business documents that help to position you for a sale
- Ride the wave of rejection with style and grace
- Learn brainstorming by yourself and with others
- See networking as a subtle tool
- Make yourself a dream client/writer/author
- Pave the way for your continuing career


Andrea CampbellABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Andrea Campbell is the author of twelve traditionally published nonfiction books on a variety of topics including forensic science, criminal law, primatology and entertaining using interactive games, among others. Her latest book is the 2nd edition of Legal Ease: A Guide to Criminal Law, Evidence and Procedure, which has just been updated and fashioned into a college law textbook. Her next book, a historical-biography about the world's first detective, will be out in January 2010 with Overlook Press.

Andrea is a member of several professional organizations and stays current with book business. Her classes always offer students much more than they thought they'd get. One of her students recently got a "very good deal," and, according to Publisher's Lunch, a $100,000-plus book contract.

COST: $169 (reduced from $279), which includes access to a private Yahoo! Group, a weekly 1 hour chat, a weekly critique and assessments/corrections done by the instructor. (4 weeks, starting 1/11/2010) LIMIT: 10 STUDENTS. Register now!

 
New!
FOOD WRITING: THE BASICS
 
INSTRUCTOR: Mary MacRae Warren

START DATE: Monday, January 11, 2010

DURATION: 6 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Through lectures, writing exercises, and instructor feedback we will cover the basics of food writing (in print and online formats). Students should complete the class with at least one work suitable for publication. We will explore food writing essentials including: food reporting and research, techniques for developing sources in the food world, resources for covering food news, and conventional forms of food writing.

Course objectives:

1. To complete at least one work that is publishable.
2. To encourage you to read published food writing to better understand the genre.
3. To increase your confidence and skills as a writer.
4. To develop a foundation for the skills of crafting, editing, and revising.

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:

Week 1:  Brief overview of food writing as a genre. What are the different types of food writing? Food researching and reporting. Defining the food news story.

Assignment: Write a food news story. (500 words.)

Week 2: How much specialized knowledge do you need? Venues for portfolio building. Writing pitch letters.

Assignment: Write a targeted pitch letter for a personal essay or memoir with 1 or 2 recipes. (One page maximum.)

Week 3:  Food writing as personal essay or memoir. How personality informs food writing.

Assignment: Write a personal essay incorporating the emotional appeal and memories of a particular food or food-related event with 1 or 2 recipes. (500 words.)

Week 4: Recipe-driven food writing. Recipe writing and adaptation.

Assignment: Write a recipe-based story. (500 words plus 1 or 2 recipes.)

Week 5: Profiles: writing about people in the food world--from chefs, sommeliers, restauranteurs and diners to farmers, vintners and more. How to find sources and get interviews. Tips for establishing relationships that create credibility.

Assignment: Write a profile of a favorite food character. (500 words.)

Week 6: Restaurant reviews and roundups. Ways to cover restaurants as well as ethical considerations. Review essentials.

Assignment: Write a restaurant review or roundup. (500 words.)


Mary MacRae WarrenABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: A former general assignment reporter, Mary MacRae Warren's area of expertise is in nonfiction with an emphasis on memoir, travel and food writing in the blogosphere.

She published the popular blog, Mrs. Cleavage's Diary, for NY MetroParents and later established the well-read lifestyle blog, Eat. Drink. Memory., which has an international, well-educated and affluent readership. Her work has appeared in the Queens Courier, Brooklyn Parent, Big Apple Parent, The West Side Spirit, and NYC City Guide Magazine.

Mary is also a former professor at City University of New York, where she taught non-fiction writing, and a former instructor at Gotham Writers' Workshop.

COST: $175, which includes one-on-one support and critiques through e-mail as well as a website where all the lectures and assignments are located. All content and critiques are exchanged by e-mail.
(6 weeks, starting 1/11/2010) Limit: 25 students. Register today!


New!
ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE: AN INTRODUCTION TO PLAYWRITING

INSTRUCTOR: Christina Hamlett

START DATE: Monday, January 11, 2010

DURATION: 6 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Since the time of the Ancient Greeks, the live theater experience has satisfied an audience's need for entertainment that is immediate, intimate and accessible to all ages and levels of society. Whether performed in an outdoor courtyard, on a vintage stage, in a school auditorium, or above the din of an urban coffeehouse, a play is an ever-evolving and timeless art form that derives its energy from both sides of the footlights. Unlike a novel or a film which is financed and produced only once, a theater script undergoes a new transformation with each change of cast and each change of venue. Even the passage of time itself impacts how a theatrical story will resonate with successive generations, giving new definition and perspective to old ideas or providing a yardstick of how far we've come from social mores that were once held as truth.

In this class, you'll be learning what makes a play successful...and how to write one yourself! Each module consists of a lecture and writing assignment, as well as interviews, websites and anecdotes. Ideally, it should only take one week to complete each exercise. The final assignment will be the writing and submission of an original 15-minute one-act play, which will be professionally critiqued for its adherence to all of the principles addressed in class.

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:

Week 1: How to tell if your story is right for the stage.


Week 2: How to write roles that actors will want to play.


Week 3: The actor's prescription for curing doofy dialogue.


Week 4: Everything you need to know about sets, furniture and props.


Week 5: How to write plays for young people.


Week 6: How to get your play produced.


As part of the homework, students will also be asked to attend one play production during the course and write a short review demonstrating what they learned from it. This can be turned in at any time during the six weeks. Unlike a traditional classroom or an Internet chat room that requires group attendance at the same time and day every week, this course provides one-on-one instruction via email. In addition, the Adobe Acrobat workbook format is one that you can either print out a lesson at a time or simply save on your hard drive.


Christina HamlettABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Former actress/director Christina Hamlett is a professional script consultant and ghostwriter whose credits to date include 26 books (3 of which are on the craft of screenwriting), 128 plays, 5 optioned features, and hundreds of articles/interviews that appear in trade publications throughout the world. She is also the screenwriting editor of Writers Journal, and has conducted workshops on scripts and the performing arts for over 30 years.

COST:
$175, which includes one-on-one support and critiques through email. (6 weeks, starting 1/11/2010) LIMIT: 10 STUDENTS. Register now!

 
 
SHORT FICTION WRITING
(Great for Flash Fiction Writers!)


INSTRUCTOR: Gila Green

START DATE: Tuesday, January 12, 2010

DURATION: 8 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Through writing exercises and classmate and instructor feedback we will delve into the fundamentals of short fiction with a view to publishable work. We will explore a variety of craft elements including: character, plot, point of view, description, dialogue, setting, pacing, voice and theme.

Course objectives:
  1. To complete at least one work that is publishable.
  2. To encourage you to read published short fiction including, short stories, personal essays and flash fiction (Fiction under 800 words).
  3. To increase your confidence and skills as a writer.
  4. To develop a foundation for the skills of crafting, editing, and revising.
WEEKS AT A GLANCE:

Week 1: Discuss: What is the difference between a short story and an anecdote? An anecdote and a joke? A personal essay and a short story? Assignment: Write an anecdote.

Week 2: Descriptions (character sketches). Assignment: Write a character sketch of someone you cannot forgive.

Week 3: Two students will present and their pieces will be workshopped. Assignment: Revision of previous exercises.

Week 4: Two students present their pieces for workshopping. Assignment: Let's talk about beginnings. How do you "enter" a story?

Week 5: Third pair of students' work workshopped. Assignment: Choose the first line of a previously published story and rewrite it.

Week 6: Fourth pair of students' work workshopped. Assignment: Endings. Identify the last section of a story and rewrite it. Let's examine the style of the ending and contrast/compare with the style of the beginnings we looked at previously.

Week 7: Fifth pair of students' work workshopped. Assignment: Discuss assignment from last week (Endings).

Week 8: The importance of revision. Revisions due. Assignment: Revise any previous assignment. Share with the class. Final discussions.


Gila GreenABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Originally from Ottawa, Gila Green's stories have appeared in tens of literary magazines in the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, Israel, and Hong Kong. Her short story collection, White Zion, is a finalist for the Doris Bakwin Award (Carolina Wren Press, 2008). Her stories have been short listed for WordSmitten's TenTen Fiction Contest (2008); The Walrus Literary Award (2006/7); the Eric Hoffer Best New Writing Award (2008) and the Ha'aretz Short Fiction Award (Tel Aviv, 2006). Gila has an MA in Creative Writing from Bar Ilan University (Israel) and a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada).

COST: $150, which includes e-mail support and feedback from your instructor, weekly assignments and materials. Skype & Skype chat.
(8 weeks, starting 1/12/2010) LIMIT: 8-10 STUDENTS. Register now!

 
WRITING FOR CHILDREN: Everything You Need to Know About Short Stories, Articles, and Fillers

INSTRUCTOR: Margo L. Dill

START DATE: Wednesday, January 13, 2010

DURATION: 7 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class will teach the basics of writing for children's magazines, crafting short stories, nonfiction articles, poetry, and fillers. The student will come away with a short story and cover letter, nonfiction query letter, and a filler or poem. She will also have a list of potential markets, fitting her manuscripts. The instructor will also share an organizational tool for submissions and information on finding other children's writers and networking.

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:

Week 1: Overview of writing for children's magazines: We will discuss different types of manuscripts that magazines accept, how to read magazine guidelines, setting goals and expectations for the seven weeks, answering questions, and breaking myths about children's writing.

Assignment: Find three markets (and their guidelines) that you would be interested in submitting to and sharing them with the other members of the class through the Google group.


Week 2: Crafting short stories: This week will focus on writing a short story for the children's magazine market. You should have a market from week one's assignment that will help you write a short story while having a market in mind. We will discuss creativity vs. marketing your story.

Assignment: Write a short story for a children's magazine.


Week 3: Cover letters and submissions: Now you have a short story draft. You will learn this week how to write a cover letter for your short story; how to format your short story manuscript; and what to include in your submission package.

Assignments: 1. Upload your short story to the Google group. 2. Critique (using the critique form the instructor provides) your partner's short story. 3. Create a cover letter for your short story. 4. Revise your short story to turn in next week.


Week 4: Nonfiction articles: This class will discuss writing nonfiction articles for children's magazines, which are easier to sell to magazines. We will discuss possible topics, how to narrow and focus topics, ways to begin magazine articles, outlining, and researching topics.

Assignments: 1. Upload your cover letter and short story to the Google group. 2. Come up with a topic or two for a nonfiction article that targets one of the markets from week one. Include your angle, beginning of article, and any sources you will use. Create a brief outline.


Week 5: Query letters and submissions: Once you have your topic for a nonfiction article and a rough outline, you are ready to query a magazine to see if editors would be interested in the article. We will look at sample query letters and talk about the different parts of a query letter. We will also talk about what to include in your submission packages for a nonfiction query proposal.

Assignment: Write a query letter to a children's magazine.


Week 6: Fillers and Poetry: Children's magazines use a lot of recipes, activities, crafts, quizzes, puzzles, jokes, and poems. These are often called fillers, and they pay and provide clips! We will discuss these, some tricks to the trade, and how to submit them to magazines.

Assignments: 1. Upload query letter to Google group. 2. Critique partner's query letter. 3. Write a filler or a poem for your target magazine.


Week 7: Tracking Submissions, Organization, Support and Networking for Children's Writers: When you write for magazines, it is important to keep track of submissions, wait times, and rights. We will discuss different organizational systems. We will talk about what to do if you do not hear back from an editor after an acceptable amount of wait time. We will also discuss how to find support and networking opportunities for children's writers from SCBWI to local groups to social networking.

Assignment: Fill out the evaluation


Margo L. DillABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Margo Dill has written for children since she completed a course from the Institute of Children's Literature nine years ago. Her children's writing has won awards, including honorable mention in the annual Writer's Digest contest. She has had articles, short stories, poetry, activities, and recipes accepted and published in various publications such as Fun for Kidz, Pockets, Cuivre River Anthology III, Characters, Highlights for Children, and Calliope: A Writer's Workshop. She has taught children's writing at the University YMCA in Champaign, IL. She has spoken to writing groups on subjects such as writing articles, networking, and short stories, and she is the children's writing coordinator for Saturday Writers in St. Peters, MO.

COST:
$200,
which includes access to a Google group, ability to upload work to Google group for discussion with instructor and other class members, a free first-page critique from the instructor and a free query or cover letter critique from instructor, private email discussions with instructor as needed. (7 weeks, starting 1/13/2010) LIMIT: 15 STUDENTS. Register today!

New!
FINDING YOUR WRITER'S VOICE

INSTRUCTOR: Alison Dubois

START DATE: Monday, January 18, 2010

DURATION: 6 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Before you start trying to write, you should find your voice and the way to perfect it. Perfecting your voice can mean the difference between selling your next article or story idea or that idea remaining in the editor's slush pile.

Let's face it. There are literally millions of writers out there but the ones we remember are the ones that stand out. They stand out because they have made an impression on us. And it is their voice that has impressed us.

Think about your favorite book or books. What is it about that book, that writer, you love so much? Now ask yourself, would you have gotten it if it had been written by someone else? Would you love it as much? Hold it as dear?

If you are being honest, the truth would probably be no. You can always find other writers but you cannot find another Jacqueline Susann, J.K. Rowling or Laurrel K. Hamilton. These writers have become icons because their voice etches an indelible marker in the blueprint of our memories.

Throughout the class I will be your guide, helping you through exercises and instruction to help unlock your unique writer's voice.

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:

Week 1:  Class introduction, students are given a syllabus that outlines what will be covered in the class. The first item to be addressed is the desire to write. Why you want to write and why it is vitally important to identify and define your own writer's voice.

Assignment: What is your voice? Writers are given a mini exercise to help them learn what voice is. In addition, famous writers' voices are highlighted, and the student is asked to write a paragraph about each one and list a few writers they particularly like and explain why they like the writer they selected.

Week 2: Defining your voice. How do writers develop their style, find their voice?

Assignment: Students are given a series of mini writing lessons designed to elicit strong emotions to help the writer define what their voice is and how to use their voice to set the tone of the prose they are writing.

Week 3:  Keeping your voice in different styles of writing. Students are shown how different styles of writing--from keeping a journal to preparing a term paper to writing a novel--elicit a different voice.

Assignment: Students are given a couple of mini exercises to utilize the different forms (as mentioned above).

Week 4:  How to identify what your individual strengths and weaknesses are as a writers. Students should have a good understanding of what voice is--specifically, their own voice.

Assignment: Students are asked to define what they feel is their strengths and weaknesses with their voice in a 500 word essay.

Week 5:  What makes your voice salable? Students are shown how a writer's voice can help them sell their work. Students are then given a couple of lessons to demonstrate their marketability. Students are also helped to find a niche for the kind of voice they have.

Week 6: The voice that sells.

Assignment: Students produce either an essay or a story utilizing their unique voice and choose one potential market to approach that they feel would be receptive to their type of writing. Students also have the opportunity to address any remaining questions about their work before the class is over.

Once the class is complete, students are given a list of links that are helpful resources for the beginning to intermediate writer.

Alison DuboisABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: I have over 30 years of writing experience. During that time I have had an eclectic writing career that included working as a correspondent, grant writer, freelancer and ghostwriter while also having six books published. I have written, designed and produced a company newsletter, brochures and a script, Chairs: An Incubus of Carnage. I have also worked for a literary agency, been a writing instructor and received four poetry awards. I am listed in Poets & Writer's A Directory of Poets and Fiction Writers.

I have an Associates degree in Journalism, a Bachelor's in Literature, and a Master's in Creative Writing. Voices From the White Noise, Demons at my Doorstep: The Search For My Donor Father, Color Me Happy and The Model Male, She Kissed Me (I edited SKM) are among some of my books.

In addition, I have had many articles and stories published in various magazines and anthologies, including Farming Magazine, American Heritage Magazine, Palo Alto Review, The Lucid Stone and others.

COST: $170, which includes one-on-one support and critiques via e-mail. Limit 10 students. Register today!


 
New!
ADVANCED WRITING FOR MAGAZINES
 
INSTRUCTOR: Linda DiProperzio

START DATE: Monday, February 1, 2010

DURATION: 8 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
If you've already taken an intro to magazine writing class--and have even had a few of your pieces published--this course can bring you to the next level. Not only do I share my real life experience as a freelance writer and editor with my students, but I also offer valuable feedback on all assignments and ideas. My previous students have been published in such national publications as Redbook, In Touch, Woman's World, Cooking Light, Prevention.com, Vibe, and Ladies' Home Journal.

WEEKS AT A GLANCE:


Week 1: Developing story ideas/The full-length service article
Finding and "spinning" ideas into full-length features. Researching for service articles, and incorporating tips/advice into story; finding the perfect expert; etc.


Assignment: Write a 500-750 word-service article.


Week 2: The personal essay
Using moments in your life for content; how newsworthy events can play a role in your essay, how to find the right publication for the piece; etc.


Assignment: Write a 500-750-word personal essay.


Week 3: The human interest story
Finding "real life" people to profile; conducting interviews; making the piece relatable to readers, etc.


Assignment: Write a 750-1,000-word human interest profile.


Week 4: The Query Letter/How to Pitch Editors
Writing a pitch that will get attention; finding the right editor to pitch and making contact; sending clips; etc.


Assignment: Write a pitch letter for one of the assignments you've completed. [Students will send this out during class so we can discuss their pitching experience]


Week 5: Q&A
Formatting and editing your interview into a Q&A piece


Assignment: Write an 800-1,200-word Q&A


Week 6: Self-editing and revising


Assignment: Revise one of your pieces.


Week 7: Pitching editors continued
Following up on pitches; turning in your work; getting paid; etc.

Assignment: Pitch another assignment; follow up on your first pitch!


Week 8: After the assignment
Revisions; dealing with a difficult editor; getting paid (and what to do when a publication is slow to pay); etc.


Linda DiProperzioABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: As a full-time freelance writer and editor, Linda DiProperzio has worked for such publications as Marie Claire, Woman's Day, All You, The Knot, Woman's World, The Nest, and Seventeen. She began her career at Hachette Custom Publishing, and then moved on to First for Women, where she crafted and edited stories ranging from women's health and relationship articles to celebrity fashion trend and travel pieces. Linda has an MA in magazine journalism from NYU, and has taught for Mediabistro, Seton Hall University, and William Paterson University. She currently teaches for the University of Phoenix.

COST: $300,
which includes email support and feedback from your instructor, weekly assignments, and a weekly one-hour online chat (Wednesday nights at 9PM EST) held through Yahoo! Chat. (8 weeks, starting 2/1/2010) LIMIT: 10-15 STUDENTS. Early registration is recommended.

 
We hope you are excited about these new classes! Start the new year off right by investing in your education.

WOW! Women On Writing ensures that our instructors will work with you one-on-one. In most cases you will receive emailed course materials and assignments, or for those with groups, you will be able to download course materials. Your instructor will give you assignments and personal feedback, and guide you through a charted course of learning. Our instructors are wonderful ladies who go above and beyond to help you achieve your writing goals.

Remember: This week only: register for a class and receive a FREE one-year subscription to Premium-Green Writers' Markets ($48 value). Offer good through: Monday, January 4, 2010.

If you have any questions, or would like to suggest a course topic you are interested in, we'd love your feedback. Email us at: [email protected]. We'll be updating our classroom page periodically with new classes and workshops, so please check back often. Write on!
 
Warmest,
 
Angela, Marcia & Team WOW!
WOW! Women On Writing
Invest in yourself, write now.