Continuing Classes

Each continuing class has four sessions, and each session builds on the previous one. To receive the most benefit from these classes, we recommend that you attend all four sessions.

Friday, 10:45 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, 11:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Continuing Classes

1. Writer WannaBe (Marti Pieper) Please note that this class replaces Larry Leech's Write from the Start class. Due to health issues, Larry will not be at the QCCWC this year.

You've always wanted to write-but you don't know where to begin. This interactive continuing class adds practical insights and professional wisdom to help you start strong. Come to learn the Writing Be-Attitudes; leave with tips for organization, time management, creative thinking, self-edits, and developing your voice.

2. Writing and Selling Your Nonfiction Book (Lin Johnson)

If you have a nonfiction book idea, learn how to develop it into a salable manuscript, from focusing your idea for a specific audience to finding the right market to writing the book. You'll also learn how to write a proposal to sell it to a publishing house and negotiate a fair contract.

3. Writing a Novel: The Basics and Beyond (Ginny Smith)

A good novel does more than just tell a story; it invites a reader into another world, a world crafted by a skilled author to entertain, or inspire, or amaze, and it keeps them there from the first page to the last. This course, delivered in four sessions, addresses the fundamentals of novel writing, and then builds on basic skills to take writers a step beyond -- everything you need to help you craft a compelling story from concept to completion!

4. How to Write a Captivating Story (Frank Ball)

Good grammar, interesting or helpful information, and abundant details will help you write great blogs. But more than basic skills are needed to produce a captivating story-or a book that will keep readers up all night so they can find out what happens. In this high-energy class for both aspiring and advanced writers, storytellers of fiction and nonfiction will gain helpful insight on how to make readers laugh, cry, and experience a change in their lives. You'll also learn the five SCOOP elements of great storytelling.

5. Build a Tree House: Writing for Children (Mona Hodgson)

This comprehensive and interactive course offers an overview of writing for children, ages birth to twelve. Everything from board books to middle grade fiction for a magazine. Participants will study age group divisions, various fiction and nonfiction formats for magazines and books, submission formats and marketing information, and much more.

6. Ten Essential Marketing Skills Every Writer Must Have (Jim Rubart)

Discovering your brand and identity and putting them to work
Shocking BROCA--Getting past the brain's bouncer into editors', agents', and readers' memories
Three ways to put your publisher's marketing plan on steroids
How to write ad copy as strong as your fiction
Book trailers: How to do 'em right ('cause most are done wrong)
Proven marketing methods for Olympic caliber networking
You: Speaker. It can be fun. Really!
About the (marketing) Fear Factor
Show me your money: Resources for serious marketers
We're done, but you're not: Thoughts on where you go from here