Amplify YOUR Voice: A Two-Night Mini for Novelists

OVERVIEW:

A Two-Night Mini Online Course

Join author Aminah Mae Safi and editor Kat Brzozowski to explore a Voice that is uniquely your own. A Voice that comes from within— inner conflicts, outside pressures, personal values, experiences, identity, and so much more.

This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of information.

• Tuesday, August 23, 2022 (7pm – 8:15pm EST)
• Thursday, August 25, 2022 (7pm – 8:15pm EST)
• Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat
• Optional post-course critique opportunity available for an additional cost (details below)

Feedback Expected:

• None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
• An optional, post-course critique opportunity is available for an additional cost of $100. This critique includes written feedback on your opening scene (up to 5 pages). Written feedback will be provided within 4 – 6 weeks of submission. Spots are limited to the first twenty writers who submit. Details will be released during the final night of the course for this optional paid critique.

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

As a writer, you have a Voice that is distinctively your own. You tell the stories that only you can tell.

While Voice may live inside you, at times we need help getting it to the page.

Join author Aminah Mae Safi and editor Kat Brzozowski to learn ways that you can deepen and amplify your Voice.  We’ll explore:

• How authors channel an authentic kid or teen Voice in their writing to create characters that feel real and engaging,
• How to use that authentic, youthful Voice to hook your reader from the first page,
• How to create Voices that leap off the page (whether they’re your main character or just that kid sister who won’t stop trying to tag along for the story),
• And more!

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use for each night of the course.

Part One: Tuesday, August 23 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)

• Voice: An Overview

  • Kat and Mae give an overview on voice in MG and YA

  • Reading and discussing a scene from a YA novel to deconstruct how the author “makes” voice

  • Reading and discussing a scene from one of Mae’s novels to hear firsthand how voice is created on the page

• “Ask Us Anything” (About Voice)

Part Two: Thursday, August 25 (7pm-8:15pm EST)

• Voice: Writing Exercises

  • Hands-on writing to show how voice can be incorporated into your story to make it shine

• Sharing & “Ask Us Anything” (On publishing and Voice)
• Information about optional critiques

Optional, After the Course Critique

An optional, post-course critique opportunity is available for an additional cost of $100. This critique includes written feedback on your opening scene (up to 5 pages). Written feedback will be provided within 4 – 6 weeks of submission. Spots are limited to the first twenty writers who submit. Details will be released during the final night of the course for this optional paid critique.

Please note: 
If you’re unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through September 30, 2022.

HOW IT IMPACTS KIDS:

Readers know an authentic Voice. It stands out. It rings true! This program will help you craft a Voice on the page that resonates with readers.

RELATED RESOURCES:

6 Ways to Understand Voice and Find Yours
Writers, Find Your Voice
Editors Are Looking for Your Authentic Voice
Books with a Strong Voice

FROM OUR COMMUNITY:

“Kat is the first person I’ve heard actually describe what voice is that made sense.”

“Kat was friendly, approachable, accessible, and down-to-earth. I felt very comfortable with her.”

Why do we mention this? Learn about the Highlights Foundation mission.