Writing & Publishing   

 

Most of your initial genealogical research can now be done online. But ancestry.com is not the only game in town! There are more than 100 different genealogical websites and several DNA profiling labs. In this class, you'll learn how to start your own research, obtain vital statistics documents, determine what websites to consult, and how to deal with family lore, spelling variations, "dead ends," and much, much more. Instructor has 40+ years of genealogy experience, so prepare to get your questions answered! There will be two short breaks and one 30-minute break at lunchtime, so be sure to bring your lunch.

 

You've done your family tree, and now it's time to write your family's history or your own memoirs. Learn how to collect and manage photos, interview people, verify stories, create trees, assemble stories in the right format for your history, and use software programs to present your history or memoirs. PowerPoint presentation and detailed outline. Instructor has 40+ years genealogy experience, so prepare to get your questions answered! There will be two short breaks and one 30-minute break at lunchtime, so be sure to bring your lunch.

 

Jim Henson said that business plays an essential role in communicating art to a broad audience, and that we must understand the value of both worlds. This four-part series of classes will introduce students to the world of business for creative writers. Participants will learn the basics of traditional and independent publishing, how to market and promote yourself, what kind of professionals are out there and when to hire them, and how to do author events and book signings.

 

 

Nearly every story is made up of different types of scenes, each one requiring a different skill-set from the author to write effectively. Writers of all genres will benefit from this four-part course designed to teach students the unique benefits and requirements for each type of narrative storytelling. Subjects covered will include setting and character description, dialogue, internal monologue, and action.

 

 

A story's strength is often measured by its characters. Good characters resonate with the reader and create lifelong fans. In this course, award-winning author Lindsay Schopfer will teach students how to write empathetic heroes, believable villains, interesting side-characters, and colorful bit-players.

 

We write everyday: emails, social media posts, work projects, and even non-fiction or creative writing. Improving is just a matter of knowing some simple tricks to make your writing more impactful and readable, and may help get you a promotion at work or avoid rejection from a publisher. In this hands-on session, there will be writing/editing examples and exercises so you can see in real time how to make sentences flow properly while still maintaining reader interest, and you will leave with a workbook full of writing tips and tricks, which is included in the class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

 

In this comprehensive session, you will learn about special screenwriting terms and formats for television and the big screen. You will also learn how to plot a story, develop characters, and execute your work in the proper screenwriting format. You will discover the difference between a Treatment, a Spec Script and a Shooting Script and when to do each. And, you'll get an inside look into the business of selling your script to agents and producers. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. The instructor LeeAnne Krusemark is a former journalist, current author and editor, and a nationwide Professor of Publishing at higher learning institutions, including Harvard Adult Education. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link and materials will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

 

Become a mystery writer for fun or profit! You will discover the different sub-genres and three-act story structure of mystery writing and create an intriguing cast of characters. Learn how to research and pick your setting, make sure your opening grabs readers' attention, use red herrings to misdirect your readers and create suspense until you're ready for the final reveal. Publishing options will also be discussed. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

 

If you love to travel and love to write, this is for you! We will discuss how to use all your senses in a new destination to create more detailed and in-depth descriptions that capture and maintain readers' interest, and whether or not you need to include photos with your work. You will also learn how to find and submit your finished product to print and online markets, the business side of travel writing (how to take travel tax deductions), and how to avoid worn-out travel writing cliches. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

 

Romance is the #1 selling fiction genre. Whether you're a new or experienced writer, this comprehensive session will help you sharpen your skills with practical step-by-step advice. You will discover the different romance sub-genres and understand the proven romance formula. You will also learn to create a unique setting, introduce your protagonist (lead character), percolate friction, and write relatable dialogue as well as intimate scenes. Publishing options will also be discussed. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

 

If your goal is to become a published freelance writer by selling a magazine article, short story, poem, or even a novel to a traditional publisher, this comprehensive workshop will guide you to, then past the editor's desk. You will discover how to: become a published writer overnight, submit manuscripts the correct way, find the right publisher for your work, write irresistible query letters, determine when and how to get an agent, and 100 ways to make money as a freelance writer. If you really want to succeed, this step-by-step workshop is a must!

 

*Must have attended "Beginners Guide to Getting Published"*. Self-publishing is all the rage, but is it the best option for YOU? (Participants must also attend "Beginner's Guide to Getting Published") And, can you do both? You will discover the pros and cons of all the self-publishing options, including print-on-demand and e-book publishing, as well as Amazon options, and see how they compare to traditional publishing. Informative handouts, including a rated description of 50 self-publishing companies for future use are included in class fee. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

 

You don't need to be famous to have a legacy to leave behind. Create an inspirational autobiography for family, friends, and others. Learn how to recall vivid memories, analyze events and people that shaped who you are, and bring your story to life. Your handout, included in the class fee, will have an outline to help you organize and write your memoir step-by-step. Printing/publishing options will also be discussed. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

 

Whether you need to make a dull work presentation more lively, mix laughter with learning in the classroom, or ultimately want to write for print/production or perform your own stand up routine, this fast-paced session will show you how to apply humor to all aspects of your life. You will learn the anatomy a joke, how to use your powers of observation to sharpen your wit, write different types of jokes, and use humor to entertain and influence people. Informative handouts for future use are included in class fee. Please provide your preferred email address at time of registration. *Webinar link will be sent at least 24 hrs before the class.

 

Fantasy and science fiction are two of the most popular genres in our media, but writing and selling these types of stories can be a daunting task. This course is designed to help speculative fiction authors create and sell their books to readers that will become longtime fans. Students will learn the importance of sub-genre, how to world-build effectively, and how to market a fantasy or sci-fi story.