Shape Your Story: A 6-Week Novel Intensive with Author & Agent Linda Epstein
With Linda Epstein
November 3 - December 15, 2022
Multi-Week Online Course Overview:
THIS PROGRAM IS FULLY BOOKED! Please CLICK HERE to be added to the waitlist.
Mold your novel into the story only you can tell with senior agent, writer, and poet Linda Epstein.
- Live sessions Thursday evenings (November 3, 10, 17; December 1, 8, & 15) *Please note NO LIVE Class on November 24
- Pre-recorded content released on Monday, November 7
- 1:1, 20-minute Consultation with Linda Epstein to discuss goals at beginning of course (November 3 – November 10, exact time TBD)
- 1:1, 20-minute Consultation with Linda Epstein to discuss progress at end of course (December 8 – 15, exact time TBD)
- Optional (but encouraged) peer-to-peer community hours will be offered at 12pm Eastern on Mondays (November 7 – December 19) to meet with fellow creatives and share work, and/or discuss responses to weekly assignments. No faculty will be present during the peer-to-peer hours.
- Optional post-course critiques are available (details below).
- 18 participants max
FEEDBACK EXPECTED:
- A 1:1, 20-minute consultation at the start of the course to discuss your work-in-progress (or preliminary ideas), any challenges you are having, and your goals you have for the 6-week course. (No written feedback is provided.)
- A 1:1, 20-minute consultation at the end of the course to discuss your progress and remaining questions. (No written feedback is provided.)
- Informal feedback in the virtual classroom and during weekly meetings.
- OPTIONAL written critique of up to 10 pages of your work-in-progress (from anywhere in your novel). Submissions are due the last week of class, and written feedback will be returned within 4 – 6 weeks. The cost of this optional critique is $125.
- OPTIONAL written critique of your query letter. Submissions are due the last week of class, and written feedback will be returned within 4 – 6 weeks. The cost of this optional query critique is $100.
WHY THIS WORKSHOP?
Shape your story into a middle grade or young adult novel with a focus on craft, community, and support in this intensive online environment.
This six-week course will explore how we shape stories into novels through pre-recorded sessions on theme, voice, outlining, arcs, and much more. Your pre-recorded lectures are paired with writing exercises to encourage you to examine the shape of your story, and explore ways to “reshape” your work, too.
Linda will host weekly sessions to engage in your questions from the pre-recorded material. These weekly sessions will include discussion and one hands-on writing exercise. When applicable, the live session will also include time for sharing. (Please note that weekly sessions with Linda take place on Thursdays between November 3 – December 15. No live class will take place on Thursday, November 24.)
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 consultation. The 1:1 consultations are just one way that Linda will get to know your stories, and center your needs and questions.
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 support and accountability. We all begin again with each new project. Experience encouragement from Linda and fellow novelists in this supportive environment.
- You’d like a high level of engagement with fellow writers and faculty so that you can explore new ideas.
DETAILED AGENDA:
Suggested reading list to come.
Pre-workshop: You will submit a brief survey of your goals, and a summary of the project that you plan to work on during the course.
On October 27, you will be invited to join the virtual classroom where you will find the Highlights Foundation Community Standards, your course syllabus, and the opportunity to schedule your first 1:1 consultation with Linda.
Week One
In the Virtual Classroom:
- Sign up for your 1:1 consultation
- Preview Highlights Foundation Community Standards
- Familiarize yourself with the discussion board
Thursday, November 3 at 7 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Introductions
- Discussion about Responsible Representation in Writing for Kids and Teens
- Live session recording available 24 hours after class
November 3 – November 10: Consultations with Linda
1:1 consultations will be scheduled with Linda at mutually convenient times. These will be 20 minute sessions to discuss goals and answer questions.
In the Virtual Classroom:
- Sign up for your 1:1 consultation
- Preview Highlights Foundation Community Standards
- Familiarize yourself with the discussion board
- Recording from Week One live session posted within 24 hours
Week Two
Monday, November 7 at 9am Eastern: Pre-recorded content releases in the Virtual Classroom
- Videos
- Outlines and Narrative Arcs
- Character Development
- Backstory Guided Meditation
- World Building & Setting
- Voice and Dialogue
- Powerpoint
-
Voice and Writing in MG & YA
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- Handouts
- 7-point Plot structure
- Basic 3-Act structure
- Save the Cat Beat Sheet
- The Hero’s Journey
Thursday, November 10 at 7 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Review questions from discussion board
- Story Arc and Story Outline exercise/sharing from exercise
- Live session recording available 24 hours after class
Week two writing assignment posted on Canvas
Optional peer-to-peer office hour: Mondays at 12pm Eastern (Faculty not present during peer-to-peer sessions.)
Week Three
Thursday, November 17 at 7 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Review questions from discussion board
- Character Development exercise/sharing from exercise
- Live session recording available 24 hours after class
Week three writing assignment posted on Canvas
Optional peer-to-peer office hour: Mondays at 12pm Eastern (Faculty not present during peer-to-peer sessions.)
Week Four
*Please note that there is NO LIVE CLASS on Thursday, November 24*
Thursday, December 1 at 7 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
-
- Review questions from discussion board
- World Building and Setting exercise/sharing from exercise
- Live session recording available 24 hours after class
Week four writing assignment posted on Canvas
Optional peer-to-peer office hour: Mondays at 12pm Eastern (Faculty not present during peer-to-peer sessions.)
Week Five
- Sign up for your 1:1 consultation
Thursday, December 8 at 7 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Review questions from discussion board
- Theme and Voice exercise/sharing from exercise
- What to bring to next week’s live session
- What to expect from the closing 1:1 consultations
- Live session recording available 24 hours after class
Week five writing assignment posted on Canvas
Optional peer-to-peer office hour: Mondays at 12pm Eastern (Faculty not present during peer-to-peer sessions.)
Week Six
December 8 – 15: Final Consultations with Linda
Final 1:1 consultations will be scheduled with Linda at mutually convenient times during this week. These will be 20 minute sessions to discuss progress, and answer remaining questions.
Video: Everything You Need to Know About Query Letters
Thursday, December 15 at 7 – 8:30pm Eastern: LIVE session via Zoom
- Open reading for participants
- Overview of optional critique opportunities: query letters & manuscript pages
Week six writing assignment posted on Canvas
Optional peer-to-peer office hour: Mondays at 12pm Eastern (Faculty not present during peer-to-peer sessions.)
*You are invited to continue peer-to-peer office hours on Mondays until the end of 2022 Office Hours (December 19).
A note about workshop agendas and how they change and evolve.
COMMITMENT REQUIRED FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE:
This multi-week online program is best if you can view at least one pre-recorded video per week of the course, and attend the weekly live sessions with Linda Epstein. (Note: If your schedule does not allow you to attend all live sessions and you would still like to register, that’s OK! You’ll have access to the recordings with closed captioning. They’re posted the day after the session, and they’ll be available through January 31, 2023.)
We also stress the importance of meeting with Linda during your private consultations at the opening and closing of the course.
Suggested reading list to come.
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.
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.”