| Academy and Course Information West Texas A&M University and the Office of Continuing Education are pleased to host our annual Writers’ Academy (WTWA), Writing to Sell: The Facts About Fiction, featuring writer-in-residence and award-winning author, Jodi Thomas. Join us on June 18-22, 2012. This year five classes will be offered, covering a variety of genres. Enrollment is limited to 15 per class, so reserve your space now!
Jodi Thomas, founder and co-director of WTWA and New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, will teach I’ve Completed My Manuscript, Now What? This class is designed to provide an in-depth analysis on crafting a marketable novel. Students will be required to bring 30 polished pages in proper manuscript format from the beginning of their novel. Because of the individualized nature of this course, class size will be limited to 12. It is recommended that a student complete a basic writing course prior to enrolling in this course.
Tim Lewis, co-director of WTWA and published author/playwright will teach Tools of the Fiction Writer’s Trade. This course is designed to strengthen a student’s writing foundation and marketability through the mastering of specific fiction writing techniques: idea formulation, hook/high concept, logline, genre, viewpoint, person/tense, character/plot development, dialogue, synopsis, query letter, agent strategy and other crucial issues will be covered.
Sherry Garland, award-winning and best-selling author of thirty books for children, teens and adults, will teach Writing for Children and Young Adults. Using lectures and writing exercises, this course will cover a survey of children's literature; components of a picture book; components of a MG/YA novel including characterization, plot, dialog and voice; query letters and submitting manuscripts; working with editors and agents; marketing your book and promoting yourself; critique sessions.
Alexandra Sokoloff, published author and screen writer, and nominee for both a Bram Stoker award (horror) and an Anthony award (mystery) will teach Screenwriting Structure for Novelists. Screenwriting is a specialized storytelling form that provides easily adaptable techniques for strong novels. Emphasized will be a film’s pacing/suspense, character arc/drive, and visual storytelling. In addition, students will learn how to structure and color a manuscript for maximum emotional impact, no matter what the genre.
DeWanna Pace, multi-published, award winning author/editor, will provide an in-depth personal critique to interested students. For an additional fee of $35.00, a written evaluation of a partial manuscript will be provided during the academy week. Students may submit the first 35 double-spaced pages (hardcopy only) to the Office of Continuing Education, postmarked by May 11. A synopsis and prologue may also be included, but the total number of pages to be critiqued should not exceed 35. Please follow the manuscript guidelines. There is a limit of 30 submissions, with each student limited to one partial manuscript. Separate payment for this service is to be made at the time pages are submitted.
The registration fee will include the Monday continental breakfast, the Monday evening Writers’ Roundup dinner, and the concluding luncheon on Friday. In addition, participants will have the option of attending the outdoor drama TEXAS in the Palo Duro Canyon.
The academy fee is $495.00; deadline to register is May 18th. The early registration fee is $450.00; deadline to register is April 27th. After May 18th, the fee is $550.00. A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 is required to reserve a seat. Further information concerning registration, authors, course descriptions, and manuscript guidelines can be found at www.wtamu.edu/oce.
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