Shape Your Story: A 6-Week Novel Intensive with Author & Agent Linda Epstein (Fall)

Faculty: Linda Epstein

OVERVIEW:

A Six-Week Online Course with Pre-recorded Lectures, and Live Discussion/Q & A/Writing Exercises

Mold your middle grade or young adult novel into the story only you can tell, with senior literary agent and writer Linda Epstein.

• Pre-recorded lectures released on Fridays (August 11, 25; September 1, 8, 15, 22)
• Live sessions via Zoom (with discussion/Q & A and writing exercises to complement and deepen learning from the pre-recorded lectures) on Thursdays (August 24, 31; September 7, 14, 21, 28) 
• Written feedback on a 5-page submission from your work in progress  (Submission due August 14)
• A 1:1 20-minute consultation with Linda Epstein to discuss your submission/feedback & set goals at the beginning of course (August 28 – 31)
• A second 1:1 20-minute consultation with Linda Epstein to discuss progress at the end of course (September 26 – 28)
• Optional post-course critiques are available (details below).
• 18 participants max

FEEDBACK EXPECTED:

• Weekly Q & A at the LIVE sessions to discuss questions related to recorded lectures.
• Weekly sharing and discussions at LIVE sessions, with writing exercises.
• Written feedback on a 5-page submission (due August 14) before the first LIVE session.
•  Two 1:1, 20-minute consultations with Linda Epstein: one to discuss submission/feedback & set goals at the beginning of the course (August 28 – 31), and one to discuss progress at the end of course (September 26 – 28).
• OPTIONAL written critiques will be available at an additional cost after the course.  Those submissions are due by October 10, and written feedback will be returned within 4 – 6 weeks.  Choose:
  • up to 10 pages of your work-in-progress ($125; pages can be from anywhere in your novel), and/or
  • your query letter ($100).

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

Get your middle grade or young adult manuscript into shape by focusing on craft and community in this online workshop.

Pre-recorded lectures kick off each week of the course, and are delivered via our virtual classroom.  The pre-recorded lectures include presentations on theme, voice, outlining, arcs, and much more. To get maximum value out of this course, you will watch each week’s pre-recorded lecture before attending the LIVE session each week.

Linda’s LIVE weekly sessions are set up to complement and deepen the learning from the weekly pre-recorded lectures. The pre-recorded lectures offer meaningful substance, and the LIVE gatherings offer time for discussion and all of your questions to be answered about the  pre-recorded material. In addition, you’ll participate in a hands-on writing exercise at each live session. When applicable, the live sessions will also include time for sharing.

Each week, expect:

• At least one pre-recorded lecture that you should watch prior to attending the LIVE session
• One LIVE session with Q & A related to the recording, a writing exercise, and open discussion
• Resources in the virtual classroom

When you register for the workshop, you will be asked to submit a short survey of your writing goals and works in progress so that Linda may review them prior to your first session.

After the virtual classroom opens, you will be asked to submit 5 pages from your work-in-progress for your first 1:1 consultation (due August 14).

IT’S A GREAT FIT IF:

• You’re a novelist of middle grade or young adult books looking to acquire comprehensive tools and guidance to help you craft your novel.
• You’re pre-published, or just starting out. This program will help get you on a path to completing your first draft. Please know that having some idea of your work in progress (and ideally some pages drafted) will give you the maximum benefit in this program.
• You’re a published novelist who wants to take your writing back to the bare bones. We all start at the beginning with each new project. This course can help you explore new and different ways of crafting your story.
• You’d like a high level of engagement with fellow writers and faculty so that you can explore new ideas.
• You work well in a hybrid-learning model with expectations of watching the pre-recorded lectures, and attending the LIVE writing exercises and discussions.

Tentative AGENDA:

Pre-workshop:

• At registration: you will submit a brief survey of your goals, and a summary of the project that you plan to work on during the course.
• Suggested reading list to come.
• On August 11: you will be invited to join the virtual classroom where you will find the Highlights Foundation Community Standards, your course syllabus, a welcome video from Linda Epstein, and submission instructions.
• On or before August 14: 5-page submissions are due (you’ll have access to the instructions when the virtual classroom opens on August 11)

Week One

In the Virtual Classroom:

• Watch welcome videos from Linda Epstein (How This Class is Structured & Responsible Representation in Children’s Books)
• Sign up for your Week 2 1:1 consultation
• Preview Highlights Foundation Community Standards
• Familiarize yourself with the discussion board

Thursday, August 24 at 7 – 8:00pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom

• Introductions
• Writing exercise
• Confirm 1:1 meetings
• Open Q & A for Week One Videos

Week Two

In the Virtual Classroom:

• Lectures released on Friday, August 25 by 9am Eastern
• Watch this week’s lectures (Outlines & Narrative Arcs)
• Review this week’s handouts (7-point plot structure, 3-act structure, Save the Cat beat sheet, and The Hero’s Journey)
• Complete this week’s writing assignment (posted via the Canvas discussion board)

Thursday, August 31 at 7 – 8:00pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom

• Open Q & A for Week Two Videos
• Writing Exercise: Story Arc and Story Outline
• Sharing from exercise

August 28 – 31: Consultations with Linda

1:1 consultations will be scheduled with Linda at mutually convenient times (you will have signed up for them during Week 1 in the virtual classroom). These will be 20 minute sessions to discuss your submission and set goals for the course.

Week Three

In the Virtual Classroom:

• Lectures released on Friday, September 1 by 9am Eastern
• Watch this week’s lecture (Character Development)
• Complete this week’s writing assignment (posted via the Canvas discussion board)
• Bonus content: recording of Linda’s backstory meditation exercise

Thursday, September 7 at 7 – 8:00pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom

• Open Q & A for Week Three Videos
• Writing Exercise: Character Development
• Sharing from exercise

Week Four

In the Virtual Classroom:

• Lectures released on Friday, September 8 by 9am Eastern
• Watch this week’s lectures (World Building & Setting)
• Complete this week’s writing assignment (posted via the Canvas discussion board)

Thursday, September 14 at 7 – 8:00pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom

• Open Q & A for Week Four Videos
• Writing Exercise: World Building & Setting
• Sharing from exercise

Week Five

In the Virtual Classroom:

• Lectures released on Friday, September 15 by 9am Eastern
• Watch this week’s lectures (Voice & Dialogue)
• View the PowerPoint: Voice and Writing in MG & YA
• Complete this week’s writing assignment (posted via the Canvas discussion board)

Thursday, September 21 at 7 – 8:00pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom

• Open Q & A for Week Five Videos
• Writing Exercise: Voice & Dialogue
• Sharing from exercise
• What to bring to next week’s live session

Week Six

In the Virtual Classroom:

• Lectures released on Friday, September 22 by 9am Eastern
• Watch this week’s lecture (The Importance of Genre Fiction for Children & Teens)
• Bonus content: Everything You Need to Know About Query Letters
• Complete this week’s writing assignment (posted via the Canvas discussion board)
• Independently prepare for sharing in this week’s LIVE session
• Sign up for end of course consultation

Thursday, September 28 at 7 – 8:00pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom

• Open Q & A for Week Six Video
• Open reading for participants
• Overview of optional critique opportunities: query letters & manuscript pages

September 26 – 28: Consultations with Linda

1:1 consultations will be scheduled with Linda at mutually convenient times (you will sign up for these in the virtual classroom). These will be 20 minute sessions to discuss your progress in the course.

Post-Course

OPTIONAL written critiques will be available at an additional cost.  These submissions are due by October 10, and written feedback will be returned within 4 – 6 weeks.  Choose:

• up to 10 pages of your work-in-progress ($125; pages can be from anywhere in your novel), and/or
• your query letter ($100).

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

COMMITMENT REQUIRED FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE:

To get the most out of this six-week course, you should watch the weekly recorded lectures, attend the LIVE sessions with your questions, and participate in the writing exercises. You’ll have access to the pre-recorded lectures, and the recordings from the LIVE sessions through October 31, 2023.

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.

Trying to figure out how this course fits into your schedule? Read some ideas about planning for the right level of commitment.

HOW IT IMPACTS KIDS:

The story only you can tell can make a big impact on a child or young adult’s life. This workshop helps you take steps toward shaping it into the best novel it can be.

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

FROM OUR COMMUNITY:

“Linda was generous, as well as setting clear boundaries. She expressed her intent for the workshop and had clearly been very thoughtful and deliberate in her design. She was warm, funny, inclusive and prepared. Really excellent.”

“Linda Epstein was fabulous. She really created an inclusive and warm atmosphere, while always also focusing on professionalism. She is eloquent and insightful and open minded.”