A press release from Leigh Grossman:
Have you been meaning to write a book for years? Do you have a book half-finished that you’re not sure what to do with? Have you written a book that you would like to learn how to get published? Starting in February, Leigh Grossman, published author of 15 books and editor of dozens of others, will be offering a series of inexpensive writing workshops. Grossman taught writing and publishing courses at UConn for more than 15 years, and now brings his 20+ years of real-world publishing expertise in to adult writers. Courses meet every other week, and most cost about $35 a week. For more information visit http://www.swordsmith.com/wp/workshops/

Currently we are offering courses at Martha’s Herbary in Pomfret, Connecticut, on Saturdays and Sundays, and in Stamford, Connecticut, on Wednesday nights.

Classes are limited to 15 people, so register now before they fill up. Ask about discounts for educators and for people taking multiple classes.

TOPICS OFFERED
Why Some Books Sell… and Others Don’t
A close look at how editors buy books and how the book publishing process works, including the basics of how to submit a manuscript, what editors look for in books (and what to avoid), what book proposals are, and how to avoid scams.
1 four-hour session
a free one-hour version of this workshop is offered as well

Selling Your Book
Learn how to write and revise book proposals, how to find agents and potential publishers for your work, how to submit material to publishers in a way that maximizes your chances of a book sale, how to research markets, and how to avoid publishing scams.
6 two-hour sessions

Finishing the Story
Are you stuck halfway through a book? An intensive workshop on plotting, outlining, and solving story problems.
4 two-hour sessions

Advanced Writing Workshop
For writers who want to push their work to the next level, whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction. Write 150 pages in 15 weeks, working on a single novella-length piece or a section of a book that you’re trying to finish. Learn to set and keep writing goals, edit and work with other editors, solve story problems, and write at a professional pace – all while keeping the rest of your life flowing smoothly.
introductory session, individual conference, plus 7 four-hour sessions

Advanced Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Workshop
For writers who want to push their work to the next level, with an emphasis on the specific requirements and audience expectations of the SF/F genre, and taught by a longtime genre editor and writer. Write 150 pages in 15 weeks, working on a single novella-length piece or a section of a book that you’re trying to finish (and if it’s a longer work, finish the course with all the tools you need to complete the book). Learn to set and keep writing goals, edit and work with other editors, solve story problems, and write at a professional pace – all while keeping the rest of your life flowing smoothly.
introductory session, individual conference, plus 7 four-hour sessions

Advanced Romance Writing Workshop
For writers who want to push their work to the next level, with an emphasis on the specific requirements and audience expectations of the romance genre (whether you’re writing historical, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, contemporary, or another subgenre of the field). Write 150 pages in 15 weeks, working on a single romance novel, and finish the course with all the tools you need to complete the book. Learn to set and keep writing goals, edit and work with other editors, solve story problems, and write at a professional pace – all while keeping the rest of your life flowing smoothly.
introductory session, individual conference, plus 7 four-hour sessions

CLASS SCHEDULE
Most classes meet every other week in either two-hour sessions or four-hour sessions (including a break). Weekend classes are generally offered as a two-hour morning workshop on publishing or the craft of writing, followed by a lunch break and then a four-hour writing workshop, so it’s possible to take two related workshops on the same day.

LIMITED SEATING
Each workshop is limited to 15 attendees and includes all course materials and plenty of personal attention. All you need to bring is a laptop or a journal to take notes with. All classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, with payment due when you reserve a seat in class. Classes are geared to adult learners and may contain mature content; students under the age of 18 may only enroll with special permission.

REFUNDS/CANCELLATIONS
You can cancel for a full refund up to 48 hours before the first class or a 50% refund after the first class (except for one-day workshops). If you are forced to drop out of a class partway through because of emergency, you may sign up for the same class again at a 50% discount. Classes may be postponed or rescheduled in case of bad weather. If a workshop is canceled for any reason, anyone who signed up will be given a full refund or credit for another workshop, at their option.

SPONSORED CLASSES
If your employer or writer’s group wants to sponsor a workshop (either one of the ones listed here or a customized one) at a location of your choice there is a 20% discount off the regular price of a full workshop. Travel costs may apply to workshops outside southern New England.

EDITING SERVICES
For those who have a book already completed that needs professional attention before being submitted to agents or publishers or self-published, I also offer editing services. Costs range from $500 for a detailed evaluation of an outline and sample chapters to $3,000 for a heavy manuscript edit. Most editing jobs cost about $1,500 and include a phone conference, a detailed editorial letter, and a line edit of the revised manuscript. (All prices are agreed on in advance, after I’ve looked at the manuscript and had a chance to discuss your objectives with you.) I also provide design and typesetting services for authors who wish to self-publish, and can help you steer clear of scammers.