Hallie's writing workshops

HALLIE EPHRON: It’s WHAT WE’RE WRITING week and, as usual, I get to lead off. For the last month I’ve been writing short pieces like a “Behind the Book” essay for the paperback edition of CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR which comes out in August 2020. The darned thing took WEEKS. If I took that long to write a novel, I'd be on the four-year instead of the two-year plan.

I've also been updating material for writing workshops I’m slated to teach over the next few months.

I was a teacher (see below, me and my third-graders at PS 189 in Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood) long before I was a writer, and you’d think prepping for these workshops would be a piece of cake. After all, I’ve taught most of these topics before. But no, every time out, I create a new slide pack and new handouts. I like to add new insights and exercises, update the examples, and incorporate the controversies and issues in today’s publishing world. And this summer I'm developing 2 brand new workshops.

Here’s what I have on tap to teach this summer, assuming that COVID-19 doesn’t shutter writing workshop world completely.

June 12 – 16 – Yale Summer Writer’s Workshop - a small group, 4-day workshop on writing crime fiction: mystery, thriller, and suspense

If past experience is any guide, the people who sign up for this workshop will be exceptional. Last time out, there were at least five participants who, in my opinion, were within reaching distance of getting an agent and finding a solid publisher. In fact, I just got an email from one of them -- she’s been offered representation by an agent who represents some of the top crime fiction writers out there. I’m so thrilled for her. This was after a serious bump in the road when she signed with an "agent" with a sketchy business model. EVERYONE who gets an offer to publish or represent, due diligence! At a minimum, look them up on SFWA's WRITER BEWARE. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

June 25 – Manhattanville College Summer Writers Week 2020, Purchase NY – 3-hour afternoon class on writing a page turner

This is a crash course will be part of their annual week of writing workshops. I expect the class will have a diverse group of writers, across genres, from beginners to well-on-their-way writers. The workshop I'm giving is packed with tips and tricks for capturing the reader’s attention, hooking the reader with scene structure, building characters that make the reader care, Infusing the story with suspense and action, and building momentum while leaving room to grow. It’ll be a drink from a fire hose. 

July 31-August 2 – Willamette Writers Conference in Portland, OR

The Willamette Writers Conference is one of my all-time favorites. It takes place over 3 days at a Sheraton at the airport, and it’s got an especially strong film track. There’s always a healthy contingent of young, diverse writers and participants. I’ll be teaching a workshop on creating compelling characters and another on writing suspense. And I’ll be going one on one with writers, talking about their works in progress.

August 13-16 – Writers Digest Annual Conference in NYC 

I love this conference, and not just because it’s in the heart of in my all-time favorite city. But the location is one reason why it draws an exceptional group of agents and editors along with so many talented writer/teachers. I’ll be teaching a pair of workshops—both for the first time. One on rooting suspense in domesticity, and a second on the nuts and bolts of giving a book talk. 

I’m especially excited because Jane Friedman (THE HOT SHEET) will be speaking. She is SO SMART, and her take on what’s going on in the publishing world is always bracing and informative. Way back when self-publishing was pretty much limited to vanity publishing, she was one of the first people who had any idea what a sea change was under way. 

Will you be teaching or taking any classes this summer (the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise).