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WOW! Women On Writing
Classes & Workshops
Spotlight Course: How to Write a Craft Book
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Greetings!
In my household we have a holiday tradition of making gifts for our loved ones each year. (Yes, we are little elves!) I make tree ornaments out of Sculpey and natural materials, journals out of recycled paper, and sew dolls out of vintage fabric I find at thrift stores. I have friends that make awesome DIY food gifts, like preserves in decorative jars or flavored lip balm. How about you? Do you have a favorite craft activity? Why not share your knowledge by writing a how-to book? Author Lynne Garner has twenty-one books published, including 10 craft-related how-to books, and she's ready to show you how to do it too. She will teach you how to mine your experiences, gather your best tips and figure out where your book would fit into the craft market. How to Write a Craft Book starts Saturday, January 7th, and is limited to 15 students. Lynne is offering the class at a discounted rate of $125 (That's $50 off this session only! Normally $175). Enrollment includes one-on-one support and feedback from Lynne, who provides real guidance that past students rave about. In the article below, Lynne shares a simple technique to discover if you have what it takes to write a craft book. It's a fun way to get started on your book journey, and Lynne will help you keep going when you sign up for her class! Also, be sure to check out all of our upcoming classes in the section below and start 2012 off right! We have several in early January, including Digital Revolution: How to Publish Your Book as an E-Book (Jan 2), How to Write Children's Picture Books and Get Published (Jan 7), and Freelance Writing: Querying and Writing Nonfiction Articles (Jan 9), as well as many more. Happy Holidays! Angela & Marcia  Angela & Marcia Classroom Managers WOW! Classes & Workshopsclassroom@wow-womenonwriting.com
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Handy Handouts
By Lynne Garner
How often have you picked up a book on your favourite hobby or craft and started to read it only to mutter to yourself, "I could do better than that!"? But then thought about it and questioned if you actually could? There is one simple way to discover if you may have what it takes to write a book and this is to write a step-by-step handout.
As a tutor of a variety of crafts I had to produce handouts on a regular basis. After several years of teaching I'd written a file full of them. Finally one day I realized I had more than enough to create at least a couple of books. Since that day of realization I've had over 20 books published, with a large percentage of them being craft related.
So how do you go about writing a handout?
Firstly, choose a technique to write about or perhaps design a project. Next, decide how you want to break down the information. For example:
- List of items needed
- Expertise level
- Time needed to complete
- Step-by-step instructions
- Hints and tips
Once you've done this set gather together the equipment you need and actually do the technique or complete the project. Make notes as you work. Remember to include everything you do. Never assume a reader will know that little step you do as second nature. If possible, take photographs of each step. Don't worry about the quality of the photographs; this does not matter. Once you have completed this step type the notes up and load the photographs onto your computer. Now create your handout, trying to set out with the instructions under the relevant photograph. If your computer skills are limited simply cut and paste your handout on a sheet or two of A4. Your next step is to ask a family member or friend to use your handout, follow the instructions, and complete the technique or project. It will be at this point you discover if your instructions can be followed. If you realize they cannot then you'll find out where you've gone wrong and can learn from this. Once you have a few handouts completed you will hopefully have honed your writing skills and know what works and what doesn't. Finally, you can start to think about that book and take the first tentative steps at drafting your first synopsis. Good luck!
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How to Write a Craft Book
Instructor: Lynne Garner
Workshop Length: 5 Weeks
Price: $125 ($50 Off this session! Normally $175)
Start Date: January 7, 2012
Limit 15 Students
Course Description: During this 5-week course students will be taught how to access their knowledge base and use this to write a hobby-based "how-to" book. It is hoped by the end of the course each student will have a completed synopsis, first chapter and query letter, which they will be encouraged to send to an appropriate publisher/packager.
Course objectives: - Discover how to unlock the "hidden" knowledge within you
- Hone writing skills and build confidence
- Build a project plan, to enable you to compete the book
- Find the right publication route for your manuscript
- Complete a synopsis, first chapter and query letter
Visit the Classroom Page for a complete listing and what you'll be learning week by week. 
About the Instructors: Lynne Garner has been a freelance writer and author since 1998. Since that time she has written for a large number of magazines both in the UK and the US, having over 300 features printed. She has 21 books published; these include 10 craft-related how-to books, working with both publishers and packagers. Lynne designed, produced copy, and photographed many of the craft projects featured on The Craft Ark. |
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
All the classes operate online--whether through email, website, chat room, or group listserv, depending on the instructor's preferences--so you do not need to be present at any particular time (unless a phone chat is scheduled and arranged with your instructor). You can work at your own pace in the comfort of your own home. If you have any questions, please reply to this email or email us at: classroom@wow-womenonwriting.com Enjoy!
Starts Every Friday (Self-Study Course):
Independent Publishing: How to Start Your Own Self-Publishing Business | $99 or $150 with 1 Hour Phone Consultation
January 2
Digital Revolution: How to Publish Your Book as an eBook New! | 4 Weeks | $299 | Limit: 10 Students
January 4
Writing Your Novel From the Ground Up New! | 8 Weeks | $250 Introductory Rate | Limit: 20 Students
January 7
How to Write Children's Picture Books and Get Published | 6 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 15 Students
How to Write a Craft Book | 5 Weeks | $125 (New Year's Discount! $50 Off this session only! Normally $175) | Limit: 15 Students
January 9
Empower Your Muse, Empower Your Writing Self | 4 Weeks | $75 (New Year's Discount! $50 Off this session only! Normally $125) | Limit: 25 Students
Querying and Writing Non-fiction Articles | 5 Weeks | $125 | Limit: 20 Students
Write From Your Soul: Memoir Workshop | 6 Weeks | $249 | Limit: 10 Students
See You at the Movies: Introduction to the Craft of Screenwriting | 6 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 10 Students
All the World's a Stage: Introduction to Playwriting | 6 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 10 Students
January 10
Breaking Into Magazine Writing With Regional Markets | 5 Weeks | $125 | Limit: 10 Students
January 16
Literary Devices Writing Workshop | 8 Weeks | $175 | Limit: 8-10 Students
January 18
Social Networking for Writers: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and More | 4 Weeks | $100 | Limit: 20 Students
January 20
Spark and Sizzle: Crafting Flash Fiction New! | 5 Weeks | $170 | Limit: 10 Students
February 1
Writing Character-Driven Fiction New! | 6 Weeks | $180 | Limit: 20 Students
February 6
How to Write a TV Pilot New! | 4 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 10 Students
How to Get the Right Agent for Your Manuscript | 4 Weeks | $299 | Limit: 10 Students
February 10
Blogging 101 | 5 Weeks | $125 | Limit: 20 Students
February 22
Writing a Middle-Grade Novel | 6 Weeks | $150 | Limit: 20 Students
March 5
Writing for Children: Short Stories, Articles, and Fillers | 7 Weeks | $175 (Winter Sale! Regular price: $200) | Limit: 15 Students
March 21
Vampires Optional: Writing Young Adult Fiction New! | 6 Weeks | $180 | Limit: 10 Students
Click here to see all of our upcoming workshops |
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