Romance writing friends, I’m so, so excited to share that I’ll be teaching Romance Novel Workshop: Getting to the Heart of the Story at the Stanford Continuing Studies Program this Spring. And enrollment opens in just one week!
What should a writer expect from the course?
Every week, optional Zooms will be offered so that students have the opportunity for live instruction and office hours. All course material will be available online/virtually, so if you prefer asynchronous instruction, you can take the course at your own pace.
The course spans ten weeks, so we will move quickly! Every week, we’ll have reading assignments that highlight the learning objective of the week. We’ll read, write, and study the craft of writing romance novels. We’ll go deep into definitions, so you can understand why the market perception of Emily Henry is different from Jasmine Guillory. We’ll study a diverse group of authors and several sub-genres. Historical, fantasy, and contemporary romance will be covered in depth.
What kind of content will be covered in the class?
This is my favorite question because I love talking about craft! We’ll be covering:
the essential building blocks of the romance novel
plotting our romance story beats and character arcs
understanding the genre, sub-genre, and niches popular in romance right now
analysis of successful romance novels we’ll read together
publishing market must-know information
information about how to write an impactful query, how to find an agent, and whether self-publishing is right for you
debunk myths about writing to market/understanding the current state of romance publishing
best practices for author careers
self-editing tips including how to develop your writing voice
Is there something else you’d like to know? Let me know and I’ll add it to the curriculum!
Can anyone enroll in Stanford’s classes?
Yes! This workshop will be taught through Stanford’s Continuing Studies Program. That program is open to the public, so there are no applications or application fees. Enroll in the course, pay the tuition, and join me (virtually) in Palo Alto!
Will feedback be provided on my work?
YES! A key focus of this course will be instructor feedback. You’ll both give and receive feedback on the works in progress submitted by your romance-writing peers.
Will information about submissions and publishing be covered?
Absolutely, yes. I want each student to leave the course with a level of confidence in their publishing path. Even if you don’t have a book ready, by the time our ten weeks together concludes, you should have a very clear idea how to find an agent, submit to publishers, or prepare to self-publish.
Can I enroll if I have a book written and want feedback on it?
Absolutely! If you’re open to revising and learning craft along the way, authors with completed books may submit chapters from that book for critique and feedback as part of the course.
How much writing should I expect to complete during the ten weeks?
Some authors may write as little as 500 words per week. Others are welcome to submit up to 3,000 words per week. The course is expected to sell out, so if I have a full class, I won’t be able to read more than 3,000 words per student per week. If enrollment is low for any reason, then I’ll adjust the submission limits for any student who would prefer to submit more!
When does class begin?
The course begins on April 1, 2024, but the weekly Zooms are optional. :)
What if I don’t want to wait that long?
There is still space available in my Writers.com romance writing class that starts tomorrow! You can enroll today and not miss a step. That class is also ten weeks long, but there are only two optional Zooms. All other instruction is provided on demand!
Not interested in writing romance? Reach out and let me know what you’re writing! I’d be glad to host a webinar or private online class for your writers’ group. I also offer one:one book coaching, editing, and writing instruction. If you’re hoping to make 2024 the year the words get from your head and heart onto the paper (or screen), let me know how I can help you learn to write your dreams into reality.
Oh, and HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!! 🥰🥰🥰