Making Magic: Writing and Refining Fantastical and Otherworldly Stories*

Faculty: Nova Ren Suma and Anna-Marie McLemore

Special Guests: Alex Villasante and Alison Green Myers

OVERVIEW:

In-person 4-Day/3-Night Workshop and Retreat

Deepen the magic in your middle grade or young adult novel with novelists Anna-Marie McLemore and Nova Ren Suma.  In this generative writing workshop, you’ll enjoy in-depth craft lectures from experienced faculty authors, small group workshopping, 1:1 faculty consultations, and ample private time to retreat so that you can write, wander, and connect with fellow magic makers.

• This is an in-person workshop at our Retreat Center with lectures, writing exercises, and faculty consultations.
• We include ample time to relax, retreat, and work on your own writing.
• Lodging and meals are included.
• Begins with dinner 5:30pm Eastern on Monday, October 23
• Ends with lunch at 1:00pm Eastern on Thursday, October 26
• 16 participants max

FEEDBACK EXPECTED:

• Informal feedback throughout the workshop via hands-on exercises.
• Small group workshopping of up to 15 pages of your work in progress. You will be asked to read up to 8 submissions from fellow writers in advance of the workshop. Your submission for small group workshopping is due October 2, 2023.
• A 1:1 consultation with Nova Ren Suma or Anna-Marie McLemore during the workshop.  There will be no submissions for this 1:1 consultation; the time can be used to discuss where you are in your stories, and ideas for moving forward with your drafting and/or revisions.

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

Do you write fiction with a magical or fantastical bent?

Young adult and middle grade fiction writers are welcome to join two acclaimed authors of otherworldly and magical novels (Anna-Marie McLemore and Nova Ren Suma) for a workshop meant to inspire and deepen the magic in your own stories.

The focus will be on exploring craft questions, and offering opportunities and sparks to produce new work. You will have a 1:1 consultation with Anna-Marie or Nova (no submission), as well as peer-to-peer workshopping facilitated by Alex Villasante and Alison Green Myers.

You will:

• Hear detailed craft talks from faculty about writing magical stories.
• Generate new writing during magical writing exercises and prompts.
• Participate in Q&As with authors who write fantastical works.
• Have time to write and retreat according to your own goals.
• Spend evenings and mealtimes with a magical community.
• Meet one-to-one with a faculty mentor to discuss your writing and goals (no submission).
• Workshop 15 pages of your manuscript in a small group discussion.

THIS WORKSHOP IS A GREAT FIT IF:

• You have an idea for a fantastical novel for middle grade and/or teen readers. This workshop will offer an overview of opportunities for writers to build their writing skills and shape their novel.
• You have a complete or in-progress draft of a middle grade or young adult novel with a magical and/or fantastical bent. Whether you’re exploring or revising your fantasy or magical realism, surrealism, or paranormal fiction–or if your story defies labels–this generative writing workshop will help you strengthen your work.
• You could use some creative inspiration. There will be hands-on exercises designed to spark new ideas.
• You are looking for guided discussions with writers about your work. You’ll have a chance to meet with peers in small groups to discuss 15 pages of your work in progress, as well as time to meet with Anna-Marie or Nova to discuss your goals for drafting and/or revision (without a submission).
• You’d appreciate some retreat time. This course has plenty of built-in time to write, draw, hike, or rest–whatever you need.

TENTATIVE AGENDA

All times are Eastern Standard Time.

Pre-Workshop

• Prior to your submission deadline, you will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow writers, engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards), and view submission details related to your small groups.
• Submission deadline: October 2, 2023. This submission is for your small group workshopping of up to 15 pages of your work in progress.
• You will also be asked to read up to 8 submissions from fellow writers in advance of the workshop.

Day 1: Monday, October 23, 2023

• 3pm – 5pm Eastern: Arrival and check in.
• 5:30pm: Appetizers & Dinner
• Following dinner: Welcome, introductions, and “Ordinary Magic” exercise with Anna-Marie McLemore & Nova Ren Suma

Day 2: Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Morning:

• Breakfast
• Session #1: “Finding Magic, Refining Magic” with Anna-Marie McLemore
• Writing exercise #1
• Sharing and discussion

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Writing & retreat time
• Small Group Workshopping with Alex Villasante and Alison Green Myers

Evening

• Appetizers & Dinner
• Fireside Q & A

Day 3: Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Morning

• Breakfast
• Session #2: “Magic in the Air: Infusing Your Setting with the Fantastic“ with Nova Ren Suma
• Writing exercise #2
• 1:1 Consultations with Anna-Marie McLemore & Nova Ren Suma (schedule will be provided during the workshop)
• Writing & retreat time while not in consultation

Afternoon

• Lunch
• Small Group Workshopping with Alex Villasante and Alison Green Myers
• 1:1 Consultations with Anna-Marie McLemore & Nova Ren Suma (schedule will be provided during the workshop)
• Writing & retreat time while not in consultation

Evening

• Appetizers & Dinner
• Fireside: Open Readings

Day 4: Thursday, October 26, 2023

Morning

• Breakfast
• Writing exercise #3
• Craft discussion with final Q & A

Afternoon

• Lunch & farewells

A note about workshop agendas and how they change and evolve. 

ABOUT OUR RETREAT CENTER:

All in-person Highlights Foundation workshops (including this one) are held at our Retreat Center: The Barn at Boyds Mills.  This site was the home of the original founders of Highlights for Children Garry and Caroline Myers, and is located in the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania on the traditional and contemporary lands of the Lenape Nation.

Your workshop tuition includes lodging, farm-fresh meals with snacks, and shuttle service from our local airport or bus/train stations if you need it.  For more information about attending a workshop or retreat here, visit the Barn at Boyds Mills website.

HOW THIS WORKSHOP IMPACTS KIDS:

Readers love to be swept away with the magical and fantastical! Learn how to build novels that will take your readers on emotional and engaging journeys to unknown worlds.

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

COMMITMENT REQUIRED FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE:

As an in-person event at our Retreat Center, you’ll have a chance to step away from everyday life to experience the workshop. We try to build in breaks and independent time so you have space for your personal needs. While we encourage participation in all group events, we know that as an adult learner you can decide if you need more time to yourself. Please let someone from our staff or faculty know if you plan to step away from group activities.

The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.

Another commitment that will help you get the most from this workshop is participating in the 1:1 consultation, and small group workshopping discussions. The submission deadline in advance of your small group is October 2 in order to allow fellow writers to familiarize themselves with your work in advance of your meetings.  If this is an issue, please let us know.

Read some ideas about planning for the right level of commitment.

Resources

Podcast: Traci Chee on Magic, Discovery and Mentorship

https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/2022/06/02/5-common-world-building-mistakes/

https://novaren.com/

http://author.annamariemclemore.com/

Testimonials

“Anna-Marie McLemore (my mentor) is the best writing mentor I’ve ever had. They understood the vision for my book and made it clear they wanted to help me move forward in the writing and publishing process.”

“Working with Nova is a gift. Her insight (always gently given) is so clear, encouraging, and focused, it motivates you to polish your story until you can practically see your reflection in it. She makes this step of the writing journey both a proud and awe-inspiring experience.”

“Nova’s calm, thoughtful style of teaching kept the workshop comments constructive, encouraging, and enthusiastic.”