Book Writing World, Fall 2015 – Spring 2016
“Small classes of determined writers, coached by a caring, positive teacher.” — Bob Ward
“What has the BWW done for me? I finished a book. I’m writing a new one. I’m writing, writing, writing.” – Thais Derich
If you are writing or need to be . . .
Time to Write: Space and Technique to Bring Your Story to Life (Craft Class)
Create powerful, publishable prose. Write your projects in class. Get immediate, positive and specific response to your in-class writing.
Tuesdays, 6 – 8 pm in Berkeley. Limited to 12.
OR Thursdays, 10 – 12 noon PT Online. Limited to 8.
Covers: theme, imagery, dialog, character development, uses of setting, build, tension and suspense, conflict and what makes strong, convincing scenes and more. Inspiring exercises–write your own content. Tailored to your needs as we go.
Sign up for all three quarters and get a discount and the following bonuses:
Bonus 1: Putting It All Together Day: How to Take the Pieces of Writing You Do in Class and Form Them into a Complete, Publishable Manuscript
Bonus 2: Submission Action Day: Get Your Work into the World. Learn the brass tacks of a professional writing career. Produce query letters, do marketing research, build a publishing plan and TAKE ACTION on it in this one powerful day.
Investment
One quarter (10 classes; Sept – Dec): $650
Payment plan for one quarter (10 classes; Sept – Dec): $225/ month for three months
Three quarters commitment (30 classes; Sept – June) + bonuses: $1895
Three quarters commitment (30 classes; Sept – June) + bonuses payment plan: $195/ month for ten months
“I love the human interaction of craft class, and the inspiration I get from my classmates’ writing. Elizabeth is gentle but diligent about getting writers to set goals and deadlines. Most valuable may be the way she not only singles out some of her favorite passages to spark your own sentences, but how she teaches those passages, breaking down the structure, pinpointing what makes it work and forcing us to try perspectives we haven’t thought of. Elizabeth’s constructive feedback is terrific and the whole class serves as a way to flex new writing muscles.” Maureen Fan
“Post MFA, I was looking for a master craft class to explore subtleties of technique, provide
the kind of inspiration and awe that only great literature brings, as well as a cohort of skilled readers. I found it all at the BWW Craft Class.” Susan Sasson
WORKSHOP SOLD OUT
Workshop
Find your ideal writing group here, lead by a published, agented author! Build a portfolio of strong stories or chapters to send into the world.
Thursdays, 4:30 – 5:50 pm; limited to 5.
Includes: Two critiques of up to 6,000 words each quarter; thorough professional edit addresses sentences and style, imagery, setting, story, character, structure and more; a clear picture of the experience you’ve created on the page and how to make your writing publishable; weekly insights–a checklist for taking the lessons of the writing discussed and applying them to your own projects; laser coaching on current writing projects, problems and triumphs to keep us motivated!
Investment:
Quarter: $750
Payment plan: $260/ month for three months
“I have learned so much from Elizabeth’s editing/commentary on my own and other people’s work that when I go to writer’s workshops, I can’t find a single lecture that can tell me something I don’t already know.” Lea Page
BOOK IN A YEAR SOLD OUT
Book in a Year
Start and finish that book! Make it dazzle. Nail your most powerful, authentic, meaningful story–the one you most want to tell. Turn your book into one publishers can’t refuse.
1 Sunday (dates and times to be announced shortly)/ month for three hours, Sept. – June, plus bonus days, in Berkeley; limited to 12.
*September 20, 2015, 10 am – 3 pm PT (Includes Creative Process Workshop)
October 4, 2015, 10 am – 1 pm PT
Nov. 1, 2015, 10 am – 1 pm PT
Dec. 6, 2015, 10 am – 1 pm PT
*Jan. 10, 2016, 10 am – 5 pm PT (Includes Writing Retreat in Afternoon)
February 7, 2016, 10 am – 1 pm PT
March 6, 10 am – 1 pm PT
April 3, 10 am – 1 pm PT
May 8, 10 am – 5 pm PT (Includes Writing Retreat in Afternoon)
June 5, 10 am – 1 pm PT
*All dates are first Sunday of the month except these, which are second or third Sundays. Thanks!
Covers: Idea generation; the seven story steps that underlie most stories; each step applied to prize-winning/ bestselling contemporary literature and your book; developing a daily writing habit that works in with all the demands of life, work and family.
Includes: Monthly In-person Meetings Sept. – June; The Creative Process Workshop (how YOU finish a book); two Writing Retreats; Online Forum for weekly goal setting, community and commiseration; Writing Partners; Story Workbook; Completion Calendar; Post-summer Completion Celebration and Reading!
BIAY Investment:
$1495/ year
Payment plan 2: $157/ month for 10 months
“Elizabeth is an upbeat, intelligent, warm, creative teacher who selects inspiring material every week to challenge and encourage her students whether they are generating new material or continuing a larger project. I have gone from pipe dream to published with the help of Elizabeth’s support and skillful editing.” Mollie McNeil
P.S. Anyone signed up for any of these courses will have access to our live Q&As with story makers and industry experts, interviews that will become our podcast.