‘So You Want To Be A Fiction Writer’ – is the next class I am teaching at the University of Akron (Ohio) come this Fall. You can now visit UA’s site and read the class description, class topics, location, dates and times and cost by clicking here. The ‘textbook’ I will be using for the class will again be Writers Workshop of Horror edited by Michael Knost. You can then go to the top of the page and use their Online Registration to sign up and pay for the class.
For those of you that are seriously interested in the class below is the Class Objective & Outline what will be covered during the 5 class meetings.
Learning Objectives –
Some of the skills that will be taught during these sessions include:
- Turning your idea into a book or short story
- Developing characters, plot, pace, and more
- How to stay focused and avoid distractions
- Finding time to write with a busy schedule
- How to find a Publisher
- How to promote your work after it has been accepted and released by a Publisher
Topical Outline –
- Turning your idea into a book or short story
- How to come up with ideas that a general audience or a particular niche would enjoy
- How to expand on a general story idea and be able to compose an effective novel or short story from it.
- How to organize your thoughts so they are coherent throughout the entire story
- Developing characters, plot, pace, and more
- How to write believable but fascinating characters
- How to format your plot so that readers will stay focused on the story
- How to space out character descriptions, action, sub-plots and general scenes while not making it boring for the reader
- How to stay focused and avoid distractions
- How to find your own time to write without the worry of outside distractions of a busy life
- How to keep your eye ‘on the prize’
- Finding time to write with a busy schedule
- How to find time each and every day to write if it is your passion
- How to find a Publisher
- Where to look for a publisher of books and magazines that accept short stories
- To self-publish or not
- How to promote your work after it has been accepted and released by a Publisher
- How to use all the media outlets; magazines, the internet, radio, newspapers, etc, to market and promote yourself and your work
So, if you live in the Greater Cleveland/Akron area and are truly interested in being a horror writer or just an overall better writer in whatever your chosen genre might be, this class may be just right for you!
Ty Schwamberger 
Thanks for the kind words, Muffet. Believe me…the best is yet to come!
Ty I’am a person who loves to read,I usually don’t read this type of books.My dad bought it for me for a gift.I belive you will be my number 1# author from now on.Continue writing.
Hi Julie. Yes, high school students are more than welcome to take the class. In fact, I had one in the last class. I believe you can wait to sign up even a week or two before the class starts. You can call the office at Univ of Akron or can register online here.
What is the deadline for signing up for this class? My son is 17 and in high school but would like to take the class, can he do so? Please let me know and if he can please let me know how to get him registered. Thanks so much!!