WHEN Materials available starting September 17 Discussions start Tuesday, September 24, 9-10 pm ET - Full Schedule WHERE Online PRICE $675 (or $650 for AvantGuild members - details) Add to Calendar iCal | Outlook Notify me when this is offered again.

Best Value

+

20% off if you buy both today: $950  $760

Nonfiction Book Writing  Online - 9/17/2013 (12 sessions)  $675

Get a Literary Agent  Online - 8/14/2013 (2 sessions)  $275

Details

In this class, you will learn how to manage the tricky process of writing a nonfiction book from an instructor who has overseen the development of nonfiction titles of all kinds, including memoir, narrative journalism, self-help, social and political issue, business, and narrative nonfiction.

Find out where to start, how to stay motivated, how to write for a specific audience, and how to establish a powerful voice. You'll get guidance while receiving invaluable feedback on your writing. Class will be a combination of lectures and weekly manuscript workshops.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• Research your topic efficiently and effectively
• Create a dramatic structure that makes your book a page turner
• Find and sustain the right voice
• Distinguish your book in a crowded marketplace
• Navigate the publishing industry

Students who have taken this class have published:
Too Good to Be True: The Rise and Fall of Bernie Madoff (Penguin), The Creative Girl's Guide To Having It All: How to Brave the Odds and Make Your Way in a Creative Career (Perseus/Running Press), Something New: Wedding Etiquette for Rule Breakers, Traditionalists, and Everyone In Between (Simon Spotlight), Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams (Ballantine), and Read My Hips (Harmony)

The online classroom has several components:

• Lessons: Learn new skills through written lessons
• Discussion: Join a weekly live, interactive discussion via IM and video
• Assignments: Complete homework and receive instructor feedback
• Forums: Exchange resources, meet peers, and ask your instructor questions

Course Syllabus

Nonfiction Book Writing (PDF) View a sample syllabus for the class here.

Instructor

Leslie T. Sharpe is the author of Editing Fact and Fiction: A Concise Guide to Book Editing, which has been regarded as a "modern editing classic" and the industry standard. Leslie started her editing career at Farrar, Straus & Giroux and has been a senior editor, managing editor, and editorial consultant in book publishing, specializing in literary fiction and nonfiction.

She was a regular contributor to Newsday's "Urban 'I'" column, and her essays and articles have also appeared in The New York Times, Village Voice, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, International Herald Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, Psychology Today, and Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine. She teaches nonfiction writing at Columbia University.

Leslie T. Sharpe's Courses
Nonfiction Book Writing – (Starts September 17)

Testimonials

Leslie is the writing teacher you've always dreamed about -- smart, supportive, and supremely helpful. She's better than any writing coach I've ever used! -- Jeremy Hunter

"I thoroughly enjoyed the wealth of knowledge Leslie shared with us. This class is by far the best I have ever taken." -- Sarah Francis

"Leslie is a fantastic teacher, editor, and writer. I was amazed at her passion and knowledge and the personal effort she put into each student." -- Kevin Begos

"Leslie's class has been a tremendous help in providing a road map for putting together a proposal. Her experience and feedback have been invaluable in helping me polish my writing." -- Irene Thompson

"Learning how to complete a book with Leslie is like learning how to host a talk show with Oprah. She is phenomenal. You'd be lucky to experience just how insanely good Leslie is at her craft." -- China Okasi