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.

Finish Your Book: From the Opening to the Ending

May 21

Every new idea arrives with a spark. We’re energized, eager, ready to begin. That momentum carries us forward for a few weeks. But, somewhere along the way, enthusiasm fades. Whether it’s the early draft, the messy middle, or even late-stage revisions, most writers hit a point where the work feels harder than it should—and finishing begins to feel out of reach.

In this dynamic live webinar, Polly Campbell shares proven strategies to help you choose the right idea, sustain your energy, and build a writing practice that carries you from draft to completed project—no matter what gets in the way.

The Anti-Hero's Journey for Storytellers

May 7 - July 2

Brand new to WDU!

Drawing from Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, this course is about the Anti-Hero archetype. Most of the time this character would be your story’s antagonist, but he can also make an intriguing protagonist if you can probe deeply enough what motivates and drives him. This is the dark side of the Hero’s Journey.

Writing the Romance Novel

May 7 - June 18

This course explores why romance is the same, yet different. Some essential components of romance are unique to the genre, while some romance requirements are identical to those of any good fiction story.

Beginning Feature Film Writing: Complete Course

May 7 - July 30

This 12-week course guides students through the process of building a feature film script, starting with an outline and continuing through all the acts of your screenplay. You will get expert guidance on your writing along the way, and helpful self-tests allow you to reinforce your mastery of the lecture content.

12 Weeks to a First Draft

May 7 - July 30

Dive into the world of writing and learn all 12 steps needed to complete a first draft. In this writing course you will tackle the steps to writing a book, learn effective writing techniques along the way, and of course, begin writing your first draft.

Description: Bring Your Writing to Life

May 7 - June 4

Learn how to effectively use descriptive techniques to elevate your writing into an immersive reading experience for your readers, including agents and editors.

Publishing 101

May 14 - July 2

Brand new to WDU!

This course will walk prospective authors through every step of the publishing process: from procuring an agent to peeling the curtain back on the in-house decision-making processes to how books are priced, printed, and sold to bookstores.