Courses: Classes for Writers
Self-paced classes can be accessed for eighteen months after purchase and allow you to go at your own pace. Read the materials and do the lessons when you have time. There is no instructor feedback, but exercises and answer keys help you understand how to put the principles into practice.
Instructor-led classes include feedback from the instructor, start and end on specific days, and have homework assignments that are due at specific times, but discussions are forum-based and asynchronous, meaning you can join in whenever you have a chance during the period the class is in session.
Evolution of a Novel
How the novel revision process works. For writers, editors, book coaches, and critique partners interested in learning about the revision process. Follow along as an author shows how her vision for a novel changes from the original draft to the final published version. Identify what you, as a developmental editor, coach, or critique partner, could…
Manuscript evaluation, up to 65,000 words
A manuscript evaluation is my feedback on your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses based on my experience as a book development editor, acquisitions editor, and literary agent. I evaluate fiction in the following genres: romance (all subgenres), mystery, thriller, suspense, fantasy (all subgenres) and most science fiction. I don’t evaluate horror, children’s, or YA. For other…
Manuscript evaluation, 65,001 to 100,000 words
A manuscript evaluation is my feedback on your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses based on my experience as a book development editor, acquisitions editor, and literary agent. I evaluate fiction in the following genres: romance (all subgenres), mystery, thriller, suspense, fantasy (all subgenres) and soft science fiction. I don’t evaluate horror, children’s, or YA. For other…
Book proposal critique
Nonfiction books are sold to traditional publishers based on a book proposal, not a full manuscript. For indie authors, book proposals are a great way to plan how you will write and promote your nonfiction book. I provide book proposal critiques, including critique of a sample chapter or two for self-help and how-to books. The…
Query letter critique
A query letter is a sales tool used to interest a literary agent in representing your manuscript, or, more rarely, an acquisitions editor for a publishing company that accepts unsolicited manuscripts. Query letters are typically one page and focus on what the manuscript is about with a sentence or two devoted to the author’s background….
Writing Romance
$79. How to write romance novels. In this self-paced, four-lesson class, you’ll learn the basics of the writing romance. Each lesson includes an assignment for you to do to practice your skills. The class covers: basic conventions of the genre (reader expectations) and why they’re important differences among various subgenres (paranormal, suspense, contemporary, etc.) bringing…
Writing Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense
$79. How to write mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. This four lesson, self-paced class walks you through writing the related genres of mystery, suspense, and thriller. It covers: Understanding genre conventions Creating a strong central conflict Keys to building tension and suspense Common problems in crime fiction Character development in crime fiction Basics of perspective…
Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy
$79. How to write science fiction and fantasy. In this self-paced four-lesson class, you’ll learn the basics of writing science fiction and fantasy novels. The class covers: conventions of the genres and subgenres (reader expectations)—and why they’re important why the “what if?” matters what we mean by “speculative fiction”’; differences among various subgenres (contemporary fantasy,…
Foundations of Storytelling for Writers
$79. How to write a novel. This four-lesson, self-paced class, written by a developmental editor, shows authors how to apply developmental editing principles to their own work. You’ll learn what concerns like “lack of a clear central conflict” and “poor character development” mean, how to find out if your novel has such story problems, and,…
Naked Editing
$30 (each month). How-to for developmental editors. Now enrolling for June, 2023. The June pick is a fluffy summer read: The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa In this ongoing class, we’ll use published novels to talk about story development/developmental editing. Each month we’ll read and discuss a new novel from a developmental perspective: What (if…
certificate program fiction • for writers • instructor-led classes • instructor-led nonfiction classes
Editorial Toolkit: Book Doctoring and Ghostwriting (Jul 5 – Aug 1, 2023)
$275. How to perform book doctoring and ghostwriting. This four-week, instructor-led class shows you the basics of book doctoring, coauthoring, and ghostwriting, which go beyond editing to actually writing and/or rewriting an author’s work. Though much of the available work is in nonfiction, there are opportunities for fiction editors/writers as well. We’ll talk about: how book…
for writers • instructor-led classes • instructor-led nonfiction classes • services – editor Jennifer Lawler
Coaching for Editors and Writers
$175. Coaching for Editors and Writers. Both new and experienced editors sometimes need professional guidance in the craft of editing or in growing their editing business. Jennifer Lawler, an experienced editor, offers personal coaching to help. Coaching typically takes place via phone conversations (Zoom if you prefer) or through email. Types of coaching Jennifer offers…
for writers • instructor-led classes • instructor-led nonfiction classes • self-paced classes • self-paced nonfiction classes • services – editor Jennifer Lawler
Club Ed Gift Card
$25 – $250. Give a gift of learning!
