Morning Workshops 2025

UNLOCK THE MAGIC OF CLEAN STORYTELLING

In this lively five-day, specialty workshop, you’ll learn how to craft swoon-worthy romances, nail-biting conflicts, and unforgettable characters—all while keeping it clean and captivating. Packed with hands-on exercises and insider tips, this class will show you how to hook readers with vivid worlds, relatable emotions, and timeless themes. Whether you're looking to expand your audience or sharpen your skills, this course will leave you inspired to create stories that charm, delight, and linger in readers' hearts.

NOTE: Last year Heidi Gordon worked with authors on writing clean romance. The class was a tremendous success. This year, 12 lucky writers will get to work with her on writing any genre of fiction for kids and teens. Learn from the Publishing Director for Shadow Mountain just exactly how to write a book that appeals to readers.

DYNAMIC CHARACTERS: OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE VILLAIN

The best main characters are vibrant, dynamic, and carry a heavy burden. Protagonists change and adapt as they meet challenges throughout the book. They propel the plot forward. They must maintain a delicate balance between battling their own flaws and still remaining champions. When done well, they evoke dueling emotions that draw the reader irresistibly in.

The best antagonists are those with whom the reader not only sympathizes but empathizes.  These are the vicissitudes of literature and life. After all, villains are not supposed to be like Pinky and the Brain, where there is no internal motivation except to, "Plan to take over the world!" 
How do your characters stand up? Let's find out.

We will also dive into plot structure, dialogue, and formulas about novel-writing, which you must learn before you even think of abandoning.

Years ago, I workshopped the first twenty pages of what would become the EVERNEATH TRILOGY right here at WIFYR. Martine Leavitt was my instructor. So I can't oversell the opportunities you might find here. Get ready to work!

The first 5,000 words -- roughly 20 pages -- of your manuscript is due April 15th. You may also send a one page query letter that I will critique. Please turn these in on time. Whatever is turned in on the 15th will be workshopped.

WALKING THE NOVEL WRITING TIGHTROPE 

Writing a novel can feel like a balancing game. There are so many questions. Does your novel start in the right place? Are your characters fully fleshed out? How is the structure of your story? Do the inciting incidents pay off? There's so much to think about—and too much of one thing can throw the balance off.

This year in our Specialty Class, we’ll talk about all of those things, while reviewing the first 8,000 words of your manuscript. We’ll look carefully at your character to see that he or she feels real. We’ll read for believable dialogue. We’ll check out structure and those important moments that move the story forward. We’ll make sure your setting is a character, too.

Pages are due by April 15.

This class includes an active Facebook group, homework, and required reading. Come ready to learn and have fun.

GETTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT BATTLE-READY FOR MARKET

Whether you’re approaching the query trenches, the world of publishing deals, the indie book market, or you simply want to be prepared for them eventually, you need a strong manuscript and an understanding of why strong manuscripts sell. In this class, Kaela Rivera will help break down the three vital building blocks of story, reverse-engineer why and how successful stories use them, and analyze how the building blocks in participants’ manuscripts are being used and can be improved. She will also coach students on how to use that understanding to craft a query and synopsis that let a story shine, and how doing so can actually improve the story itself. All students will have a chance to receive individual critique from Kaela Rivera, group critique, and will leave the class with a strong revision plan for their manuscript and equipped to write query letters and synopses that wow. All materials are due April 25.

Materials to submit for class:

• First 3 chapters (or first 6,000 words) of your novel

• Query letter about your novel

• 1-page synopsis of your novel

FULL NOVEL WORKSHOP [CLASS FULL]

In this Full Novel Class, taught by agent Michael Carr, participants will each turn in a 65,000-word manuscript. Michael will give you feedback on your novel, discuss suggested edits, and will talk about your strengths and weaknesses as a writer. You’ll learn about the state of the market, what makes a novel sing, and how to attract the attention of agents and editors with your work. There are only six seats in this sought-after class.

Your manuscript is due on March 31, 2025.  Follow industry standards when submitting.

Pre-requisite: To attend this class, you must have attended three past morning workshops at WIFYR or an equivalent course (with Carol's approval). 

CLASS FULL.

FLIPPED WORKSHOP [CLASS FULL]

When I was a student being workshopped, I was expected to sit under the cone of silence. I wasn’t allowed to say a word, ask a question – only silence. I could have spared them 20 minutes of discussion if only I had been allowed to say, “Toby is not a person, he’s a dog.” The cone of silence was invented for good reason, but in this workshop we are going to ignore good reason. The Flipped Workshop not only takes you out from under the cone of silence, it places you at the center of your workshop experience. You will lead the discussion about your work, come prepared with your questions for the group, bounce ideas off participants, and have the opportunity to get everything you need to proceed with the work. Participants will submit the first 3,500 words of their manuscript, due by April 15, 2025. We will critique the manuscript you submit on that date.

CLASS FULL.

PICTURE BOOK WORKSHOP [CLASS FULL]

Learn to write or illustrate children’s picture books!

Join artist-author Carolyn Fisher for a five-day workshop on writing and illustrating children’s books. Whether you’re a writer or an illustrator, a newbie or a professional, we’ll dig into the business of books in this info-packed course. Work on your own story or illustration that you bring from home or create a new project in class. Ask questions about writing stories, making storyboards, submissions, portfolios and more. You’ll end up with a draft of your very own children’s project, and learn how professionals pitch their books to publishers or agents.

This class is for:

•writers who don't illustrate

•or artists who don't write

•or writer-illustrators who want to explore both writing and illustration

•or emerging writers or illustrators who have never written a story before

•or seasoned writers or illustrators who already have books published

All are welcome!

CLASS FULL.

GETTING READY FOR THE FULL NOVEL WORKSHOP [CLASS FULL]

One of the biggest frustrations writers often face happens when they know the manuscript is good and that they’re ready to be published, and yet the rejections still come. It’s a constant nagging feeling, the sense of being so close, but not knowing exactly where the writing is falling short.

That was exactly how Jennifer A. Nielsen felt shortly before publishing her first novel. She has since become a #1 New York Times bestselling author of 25 books.

This workshop will help you dissect and then rebuild your novel to help it move forward in becoming its personal best.

The 37,000 words of your manuscript should be complete before the class begins. Preparation for this workshop will require homework, writing, and rewriting. Please plan for this before registering.

Pre-requisite: To attend this class, you must have attended two past morning workshops at WIFYR or an equivalent course (with Carol's approval). 

CLASS FULL.