Lit Fest 2025

In historical fiction, you want to stay true to the period but resonate with modern readers. To feel like life, not a history book. So, how do our characters’ words capture the era? How does society decree they will relate to each other? Can you create an accurate world without overwhelming description? We'll explore shaping dialogue, choosing vocabulary, and making the best use of our research. Whether you have an idea or a first draft, bring your characters to the workshop and be prepared to write.

If you’re ready to publish your book, but have no idea how do that, this is the class for you. We'll discuss different pathways for publishing a book; including finding an agent or working without one, submitting your manuscript to publication contests, or self-publishing. We'll learn how to query agents and publishers, how to find comp titles for your book, when you need to write a book proposal, and share useful websites and resources that will support you along your journey to publication.

Great dialogue is more about what is not said than what is said. This workshop explores how to listen to conversations, reveal character, and leave intentional gaps to make your dialogue something that doesn’t simply explicate or move plot. We’ll explore a few good examples and practice a bit. Intermediate or above. Nonfiction and fiction writers welcome. Plan to practice writing.

Is the sofa in your story gold or green? Does it matter? Yes, it actually does. In this seminar, we’ll work on creating specific details that add meaning and depth to your story. Specificity leads to subtext. Subtext leads to richness. The sofa is gold for a reason. Everybody wins!