Be Your Own Gatekeeper: Indie Publishing Your Short Fiction

June 12

The traditional short fiction market simply can’t accommodate the many excellent short stories that deserve to reach readers. But with an indie mindset, you don’t have to rely on gatekeepers. Instead, you can take control of your publishing journey, connecting directly with readers who will love your stories, turning them into fans, and generating income from your work. Matty Dalrymple, author of Taking the Short Tack: Creating Income and Connecting with Readers Using Short Fiction, shares how to unlock the potential of short fiction. Walk away with practical strategies to turn short fiction into a powerful tool for building your author brand and income.

Humor Writing Virtual Conference

June 14

Writer’s Digest University is pleased to present a one-of-a-kind online event for anyone wanting to inject humor into their writing! On June 14, 2025, our WDU Humor Writing Virtual Conference will provide expert insights from FOUR award-winning and bestselling humor authors on the finer points of how to write humor. Spend the day learning techniques for honing your craft from four different published humor authors. Experience the education, camaraderie, and opportunities provided by a live writing conference without ever having to leave your home!

How to Research Agents and Publishers Like a Pro

June 19

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 publishers 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.

Revive Your Draft: From Stalled Plot to Compelling Story

June 19 - July 17

It’s time to re-enter your manuscript with clarity, momentum, and purpose. Maybe you had a premise that sparkled. Or a draft in progress. And then somewhere along the way, the work got murky. Life happened. You lost the thread. This course helps you pick it back up with structure, insight, and a plan.

Revive Your Draft is a four-week  course designed for writers who are ready to return to a stalled or partial manuscript.

Writing the Thriller Novel

June 19 - July 31

Do you want to write an enthralling thriller that your readers can't put down? In Writing the Thriller Novel, a six-week course, you will get the tools you need to get your thriller project off the ground or take your current project to the next level. Examine the structural elements that create a successful thriller, learn how to build compelling conflict and suspense into your story, find out what helps a story engage a reader, and much more.

Writing and Producing the Short Film

June 19 - July 17

If you want to be a produced screenwriter, there’s never been a better time to make it happen for yourself! There’s no reason to wait around for a producer to call when you can start to build your credits and body of produced work on your own. With everything you need already in your phone and laptop, you can produce your own short film and propel your writing and/or directing career forward with little to no budget.