Welcome!
Whether you want to write your novel, perfect your screenplay, or craft your memoir, Writer’s Digest University can help you get your writing career underway. Our expert instructors will provide advice, specific instruction, real-world experience, expertise, and the motivation and drive to help you achieve your goals.
Upcoming Workshops
Let's get writing!
Our writing online workshops cover every aspect of writing, from how to get started all the way to getting your writing published. Writer’s Digest University features writing classes online for every skill level of writer and our professional instructors are dedicated to helping you achieve your writing goals.
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More About WDUDon't know where to get started? Â
These featured events and courses are starting soon!Â
What It Takes to Sell Your Memoir (or Hybrid Memoir)
June 25
Knowing how to position your memoir—and understanding what the market actually requires—is where most writers get into trouble. In this class, we’ll walk through the real-world factors that determine whether a memoir can find a traditional publishing home, drawing on what recently announced book deals (and their authors) tell us about the current market. You’ll learn the common reasons memoirs don't sell—not to discourage, but because an honest reality check is what memoirists need to avoid frustration and lots of wasted time.
Today's Key Book Publishing Paths
July 9
Jane Friedman discusses everything you need to know about how book publishing operates today, in plain English, to help you understand the pros and cons of every major publishing path available. She'll cover traditional publishing and what projects are well-suited to being represented by literary agents; the capabilities of mid-size publishers and independent publishers; how to evaluate small presses, micro-presses, and digital-only presses; what "hybrid" publishing is (or thinks it is) and how to evaluate such companies; and all forms of self-publishing and e-publishing practiced today. Â
Agent One-on-One: First 10 Pages Boot Camp
July 9 - 12
As many writers know, agents and editors won't give your work more than ten pages or so to make an impact. If you haven't got them hooked by then, it's a safe bet you won't be asked for more material. Make sure you've got the kind of opening they're looking for! In this invaluable event, you'll get to work with an agent to review and refine the first ten pages of your novel or non-fiction book. You'll learn what keeps an agent reading, what are the most common mistakes that make them stop, and the steps you need to take to correct them.
Leap, and the Net Will Appear: Steps for Creating Positive Change in Your Writing Life
June 25 - July 16
This course focuses on creating positive change, developing a habit, and building momentum on a goal, with very clear, very practical ideas for making sure "writing a novel" or "finishing your book" isn't a resolution you just keep making year after year, but actually accomplish.
Focus on the Short Story
June 25 - October 1
This online course is for anyone writing any kind of short fiction. You will draft and complete two stories. There are no restrictions on topics or genre. All aspects of writing engaging short stories are covered—plot, character, setting, theme, style.
Advanced Novel Writing
June 25 -Â October 8
Push yourself beyond your comfort zone and take your writing to new heights with this novel writing course, designed specifically for novelists who are looking for detailed feedback on their work. When you take this online course, you won't have weekly reading assignments or lectures. Instead, you'll get to focus solely on completing your novel.
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