How to Write a Synopsis That Reflects the Book You Actually Wrote

April 30

In this webinar, literary agent Jessica Berg teaches you how to write a synopsis that aligns with the manuscript you’ve written. Together, we’ll break down how to translate a full novel into a concise, professional synopsis that preserves the core of your story and helps you get it onto the page. You’ll leave with a repeatable framework you can use for any novel as well as a clear understanding of what industry professionals are evaluating when they’re reading synopses.

How to Research Agents and Publishers Like a Pro

May 7

You have a polished manuscript or book proposal, and you’re ready to start pitching agents and publishers. But how do you figure out who to submit to? And how do you evaluate the quality of the agents and publishers you do find?

In this live webinar, you’ll learn not only how to research agents and editors using a variety of online resources, but also how to evaluate fit and reputation, so that you don’t unwittingly end up with a schmagent or a publisher that’s really a self-publishing service.

Screenplay or Novel? Understanding Your Idea’s Potential

May 14

Writers have ideas all the time. But how do we figure out if the idea in our head would work better as a screenplay or a novel? Why does that even matter in today’s world of books and films becoming almost interchangeable?

It turns out it matters a lot. Not having that internal conversation with yourself, or an external conversation with friends or industry people could mean you are about to waste a lot of valuable time creating something that doesn’t quite fit where you hope it will.

Personal Essay Writing 101: From Insight to Impact

April 30 - June 11

Brand new to WDU!

Personal essays merge lived experiences into meaningful stories. In this six-week course, you’ll learn how to move from insight to impact by shaping your experiences into clear, engaging narratives.

Build Your Novel Scene by Scene

April 30 - July 23

If you want to learn how to write a story, this is the course for you. Get the impetus, the guidance, the support, and the deadline you need to finally stop talking, start writing, and, ultimately, complete that novel you always said you wanted to write.

Writing Scary Stories: A Short Story Primer on Horror

April 30 - May 28

This four-week class will make sure you have the basics of short story telling down, and then show you how to use that pairing between terror and horror to immerse your readers in atmosphere, mood, tone, setting, and depth.