Kendrick Lamar said, "If I'm gonna tell a real story, I'm gonna start with a name." Twenty-first century audiences demand deep, emotional connections with characters. Authors have learned how to use writing techniques to foster these emotional connections, but authors who randomly name their characters are missing a prime opportunity to create more emotion, more […]
The Future of Novel Writing! Stay ahead of the curve. Join Kathleen Baldwin for a frank discussion about how readers are changing, what to expect in the future, and how to reach YOUR reader in this changing marketplace. ★Streaming video is radically changing storytelling. Even old people are turning to video streaming. How will it impact what they […]
Comic books and graphic novels are nothing new but, in today's publishing world, they've become a fantastic way to get your story out there. In fact, graphic novels have seen phenomenal growth – a sales surge of up to 15% -- in the last four or five years. Even better? You can write a graphic […]
Want to make your writing soar? Do you want to add airplanes and aviation to your writing, but can’t tell the difference between a Cessna 172 and a Boeing 747? Do you want to learn about classic aviation stories and their plots, characters, and settings? Come join historian and airplane geek Hugh Gordon as he […]
Today it seems like conspiracies and conspiracy theories are everywhere. Do you want to add shadowy organizations and secret plots to your writing? Why not look at real conspiracies from history to feed your own dark designs? Come join historian Hugh Gordon as he shows which conspiracies can be proven, and others that remain in […]
Do you want to engage your target audience (readers, bloggers, book reviewers, authors, clients, and customers)? Do you want them to remember your name and/or brand? Do you want their friends to check out your books and services? Giving quality swag away to these influencers is a proven way to increase word of mouth sales […]
So you have a character you're just dying to kill. Maybe he is a real villain and deserves to die. Or, instead, she is a sweet child and everybody cries when she slips away in the middle of the night. Regardless, there's a right place, time and reason to get rid of that character and […]
The kids are screaming, your spouse reminds you that you need milk, your boss is texting you, you have a big deadline at work tomorrow that makes your head hurt, your friends is having drama, and you have to finish drafting this scene tonight. Sound familiar? Whether you’re trying to balance a job with writing, […]
Fantasy stories can take you into other worlds where you can fight pirates, soar on the back of a dragon, or go on a quest. There could be magic, adventure, romance, daring deeds, and great beats. Over the course of four weeks, we'll go in-depth on how to build a compelling fantasy story including worldbuilding, magical […]
Toward the end of the twentieth century, the modern Civil Rights era was launched and as Sam Cooke sang, “A Change Gone Come.” The change came and the psychology of Black people in the United States underwent a sea change. As we will see in this class in the first week, there were several reasons […]
At Point Comfort in 1619, more than a dozen enslaved Black men were bought to the shores of Virginia and the history of Blackness in the United States was established. There are three distinct time periods to think about and I will address them, depending upon what you are writing about: 1619-1800, 1800-1865, 1865-1950. 1619-1800—Enslavement […]
As a historical fiction author, I have researched for years on legal issues my characters have encountered in their stories. In talking to readers of historical fiction, particularly regency romance, I’ve learned that many people have questions about some of the issues addressed in novels, as well as misunderstandings about inheritance and marriage laws (yes, […]
In this course we will dive into the dizzying world of literary contracts. You’ll learn what is typically in a literary contract, such as an author-agent agreement or a publishing contract, and what the most common clauses really mean. You’ll learn what to watch out for, when to try to change things, and when to […]
10 People. 20 Pages. Deep Developmental Edits. Editing your manuscript to get it ready for an agent or editor requires more than just crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s. That’s where a developmental editor comes in. Developmental editing is the first stage in preparing your manuscript for professional eyes. It helps you to build […]
If you’ve always dreamed of writing a book, stuck in the middle of the one you are working on, or looking for some structure and support for your current novel, this class is for you. Designed to take you from idea to finished book, The 8-Week Author will cover all major components of a book, […]
A critique group can make or break your writing. And here's the rub--your group might not even realize the damage they are inflicting. Bestselling author Kathleen Baldwin will give you the tools you need to build a Healthy Supportive Critique Group geared for mutual success. We will practice Kathleen's prove critique methods, and as a result, some of the members […]
The stakes have never been higher. With the Internet, Netflix, HBO, Prime, movies, news, everything at reader’s fingertips, who cares has never been more important. Sure, you have put your heart, soul, and every drop of blood into your characters and the story they have to tell. You have created a compelling plot where characters […]
Wowza! Your book is done. Congratulations. You’re ready to put your fabulous story out there into the publishing world. One of the best ways to get your work in front of agents and editors, is through pitching and querying. But to pitch and query you need to distill your amazing book down to a few […]
Anthologies are the "hot" item lately, giving authors a chance to collaborate and create amazing themed books. The writing side is usually pretty easy for an author, but what about all the details? A partnership can be a real problem if the business side isn't addressed. This class, taught by an author/editor who has published […]
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