The Writers’ Workshop, a non-profit center since 1985, will be sponsoring Autumn writing classes. The classes will meet at 387 Beaucatcher Rd., Asheville. Registration is in advance only, at www.twwoa.org. For more information, contact writersw@gmail.com or 828-254-8111. Financial assistance is available for low-income writers.
Press release from The Writers’ Workshop:
Oct. 17: Writing Your Memoirs with Karen Ackerson
Participants will learn how to turn personal and family experiences into a compelling memoir for family and friends, or for publication. In-class writing exercises will help to identify life-changing events, to be used as the backbone of a memoir. Discussion will include creative non-fiction elements such as describing a sense of place, using dialogue, and enhancing one’s writing style. Ackerson, a biographer and Senior Editor at The Renbourne Editorial Agency, has taught workshops throughout the Southeast for over twenty years. Meets Saturday, 10-4 pm. $75/$70 members.
Oct. 24: Writing Historical Fiction with Anne Barnhill
The class will learn vital aspects of writing historical fiction, including how to make historical figures ‘come alive’, how to use dialogue from another century, where to find research materials, and much more. We will be doing writing exercises geared to historical fiction, as well as taking a brief look at some historical novels to see how other writers work. Barnhill is the award-winning author of numerous books, including At the Mercy of the Queen; Coal Baby; and What You Long For. She holds a MFA in Creative Writing from UNC-Wilmington, and teaches workshops throughout the state. Meets Saturday, 10-4 pm. $75/$70 members.
Nov 7: Book Marketing in the Age of the Internet with Jane Gari
Shifting your perspective from artist to marketer is difficult, but if you want to be a published author, you have to adapt. The class will learn comprehensive book marketing strategies, including identifying your target audience; social media strategies; blogging; traditional media and publicity outlets; and creating a solid Amazon Authors Central Page. Gari has been published in print and online in literary journals, arts magazines, and blogs such as Writers Digest. Her memoir was published by Touch Point Press, and she is under contract with Alpha Books (a division of Penguin/Random House) for a book in the Idiot’s Guides series. Meets Saturday, 10-4 pm. $75/$70 members.
Nov. 14: Writing Children’s Books with Bobbie Pell
Whether you’re write about talking elephants, bullies at school, or rhyming texts for lullabies, this class is for you! We will look at the primary categories of books for ages 3-11, from Concept/Novelty Books, Picture Books, Easy/Early Readers, to Beginning Chapter Books. Through close examination of Caldecott Winners books, we can learn what strategies make a successful children’s story: plot, believable characters, setting, style, and word choice. Pell earned her MFA degree at Goddard College, and is the author of A New Star and Scary Stories. She has worked with young children for many years as Writing Instructor and Storyteller. Meets Saturday, 10-4 pm. $75/$70 Workshop members.
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