The Whole Novel Workshop August 2019

What You’ll Learn

This workshop includes:

• Focused, one-on-one response to your entire novel-in-progress from an accomplished author and teacher
• Group discussion and feedback
• Seminars on technique, craft, query letters, and agent/editor submissions
• Ample time to write and revise
• Writing exercises and group reading.
• Opportunities to make connections with fellow writers.

Who Should Attend

This course is for best for:

• Intermediate to advanced middle grade and young adult writers with a complete or near-complete manuscript draft.
• Novelists who would benefit from receiving multiple feedback perspectives. In addition to a whole-novel review, you will receive feedback from our teaching assistants, and TA’s will also be leading round table critiques.
• Writers who have begun receiving personalized feedback from publisher submissions.
• Writers who have taken one of our introductory novel courses, such as Getting to Know Your Novel and Novel Beginnings.

Agenda

Day 1
Arrival & check in
Hors d’oeuvres & dinner
Introductions
After dinner craft session

Day 2
Morning: Morning pages; One-to-one sessions with faculty
Afternoon: 2 lectures

Day 3
Morning: Morning pages; Workshop
Afternoon: Lecture, Sarah Aronson

Day 4
Morning: Q&A
Afternoon: Workshop & lecture

Day 5
Morning: Morning pages & workshop
Afternoon: Free writing time
Evening: After dinner lecture

Day 6
Morning: Morning pages & optional one-to-one meetings
Afternoon: Optional tour of Highlights for Children
Evening: After dinner reading, Q&A

Day 6
“Revision Pot Luck” with faculty
Brunch & departure

Resources

Listen for Stories
Tranform Introspection into Dialogue
Eulogy Virtues
Is Your Novel Opening as Strong as It Can Be?
Walking through the Woulds with your Character

Testimonials

“Attending Highlight’s Whole Novel Workshop changed not only the course of my career, but also the scope of my writer friendships. I gained so much knowledge by immersing myself into the culture that is part of Highlights, and came away with the exact tools I needed to plunge in, rework my manuscript, and sign my first two-book contract with HarperCollins. I’ve since signed a second two-book contract with them and I have no doubts that what I learned at Highlights made the difference, and I am still utilizing that knowledge today. Plus, I am still friends with the people I attended with, and we continue, after all these years, to support each other, encourage each other, and cheer for each other. It is a life-altering experience. Go. You will not regret it. Plus, the food was so good I am still talking about it!”–Nanci Turner Steveson

“Thanks to the thorough and insightful feedback on my YA novel manuscript at the Highlights Whole Novel Workshop two years ago, Cowboy Code was picked up by a publisher and will be released this August. I had been laboring over the book for years, and it took a week at Highlights to show me where I needed to pump energy into the manuscript. Thank you, faculty and participants, for for an inspiring and valuable experience.”–Louella Bryant

“Everyone on the faculty was genuinely interested in helping each student to succeed. They were great about having small or one-on-one conversations as well.”

“The faculty were warm, inspiring, wise, encouraging, helpful, and funny. The workshops were as inspiring and as helpful as the presenters. I couldn’t have asked for more!”

“The faculty were awesome. I’ve been through an MFA program in creative writing, so I know top-notch writing instructors when I see them. Learned some very valuable things about my writing at Highlights.”

“The guest speakers were lovely, accessible and thorough with their feedback and guidance.”