Writing Classes
for Experienced Writers to Improve Their Craft
My Approach:
Advanced knowledge in a clear, engaging package.
Learning new skills can and should be challenging--you’re doing something you haven’t done before--but with clarity, practice, review, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions, you can gain both skills and confidence.
For Writers Trying Something New
I have years of experience with course design at the college level, and I use that experience to create classes that hit the sweet spot of productive struggle.
My current offerings are for experienced writers who are writing outside their area of expertise. Courses are designed to leverage the storytelling skills you already have and focus primarily on the skills you need for your new endeavor.
Confidence to Make the Jump
Join a community of experienced writers, who are taking their writing to the next level. In every class, you’ll have access to all materials to use as resources after you complete the course. You’ll end the class with new skills, knowledge about when to use them, and confidence to take the next steps.
Class Offerings
Writing Middle Grade for Picture Book Authors
Designed for experienced picture book authors, this course covers everything you need to know to write the first draft of a novel, from scene writing to structure. We’ll look at a middle grade novel mentor text together, and you’ll analyze a middle grade novel of your choice that is the kind of book you’d like to write.
Students say they end the class with confidence that they have the knowledge and skills to tackle a first draft.
Fall 2024 classes are underway.
Currently enrolling for Winter 2025.
Now Enrolling!
Write a Novel with Me (for Writing MG grads only)
People who’ve completed the Writing MG class can join in a friendly group environment to write the first draft of their novel. The course is designed for students to set individual goals, take advantage of the brain trust of fellow writers, and learn from mini-lessons that cover everything from first chapters to character, from the midpoint to setting. Writing a novel is a big project, and writing alongside others can keep you writing through the hard parts and have guidance when you need it.
Revise a Novel with Me (forthcoming)
Typing THE END when you finish a first draft is a huge step. It’s time to celebrate, and then the work begins. In this 12-week class, we’ll tackle taking a draft through a full revision. Working alongside other MG and YA writers, you’ll assess your draft, create a plan, and execute your plan. You’ll be able to access the wisdom and experience of other writers, learn from mini-lessons that cover various aspects of the revision process and writing craft, and stay accountable through weekly check-ins on a private Slack workspace. This class is for any writer who has a full draft of a middle grade or young adult novel.
Writing MG and YA Novels for Everyone (forthcoming)
Writing a novel takes both inspiration and skills. In this class, we’ll cover all the aspects of drafting a novel, from scene writing to structure, character development to worldbuilding, and character change to theme. It’s a 10-week crash course in everything novel. All you need is an idea of what kind of book you’d like to write. In addition to analyzing a mentor text, you’ll have the opportunity to flesh out a novel idea, ending the class with the material and skills to set out on a first draft.
Classes are run through KidLit Craft, Anne-Marie’s project for helping writers improve their craft.
Hear from past students:
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This is the class I’ve been looking for!
This class is the class I’ve been looking for! I’m an experienced picture book writer who has been trying to dive into the genre of middle grade novel writing for several years, but always found myself hitting roadblocks with authentic MG character voice, novel scene creation & structure, and how to organize my writing & research. This class was pivotal in helping me put all these pieces together in a structure that made so much sense and was do-able.
I highly recommend it to any experienced writer of picture books who wants to move into writing middle grade. Anne-Marie is a phenomenal teacher and guide!
Laura Murray
Author of The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School series -
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It's like a mini-MFA!
It's like a mini-MFA! There's so much craft content and an opportunity to put it into practice and receive feedback. It gives you the tools and confidence that you need to move from PB to longer work.
Anne-Marie is a gifted teacher who presents complex concepts in an accessible way. I've taken other writing classes and learned bits and pieces of craft content, but this course puts those concepts together in a way that really makes sense. For the first time I feel like writing a novel is within reach.
Ann Bonwill
Picture book author -
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A must class for anyone starting out in MG novel writing.
Chockful of information from story structure to scene dissection. A must class for anyone starting out in MG novel writing.
Anne-Marie is a fantastic teacher. She is organized, thorough, and handled our myriad of questions and writerly woes with skill and grace. I'm so excited to have the tools I need to write my first MG novel.
Darshana Khiani
Picture book author
