Young Adult Novel Writing

WHEN 12 weeks, Tuesdays, January 29 - April 15, 7-10 pm WHERE New York (Downtown) LEVEL Intermediate/Advanced PRICE $610 ($575 for ) more info

Course Details

Did Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret change your life? Have you come to blows at parties over who's better, Phillip Pullman or J.K. Rowling? Can you relate to preadolescents and teens on their own levels, without being patronizing? You might be the next Judy Blume, if only you knew how to get started. We live in the golden age of YA literature, with young people buying books at the fastest rate in decades. YA novels are now respected as important money-makers at publishing houses, and they win honors such as the Printz, Newbery, and National Book Awards. Why not try your hand at this exciting field? All you need is some coaching and a rigorous environment to make that YA or middle grade novel happen. The goal of this class is to finish your YA or middle grade novel in 12 weeks. With serious work and attention to the class, you can finish it. This class also features guest speakers (editors from YA publishing houses).

In this class, you can expect to learn:

• How to write a teen novel proposal that doesn't end up in the slush pile
• What topics are teen cliches, and how to stay away from them!
• Whether or not you need an agent, and, if so, how to get one
• How to get the clips (yes, you need clips!) to prove your skill to editors
• How to write for teens without condescending (they can smell patronizing a mile away!)

By the end of class, you can expect to have:
A complete first draft of your YA or middle grade novel.

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

Related Courses

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Fiction

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Book Publishing

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New York, NY

Instructor Bio

Micol Ostow's Courses

Micol Ostow has written more than 40 published works for children, tweens, and teens. Her first original hardcover novel, Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa, was named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. Micol's hybrid graphic novel project, So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother), released from Flux/Llewellyn in July 2009. The Bradford Novels from Simon Pulse, a dishy new private school series which launched in January.


Click here to listen to a podcast with Micol about writing and her YA course.

Testimonials

Micol was a thorough, well-prepared, and joyful instructor. She openly shared her own experiences as a writer, as well as invited knowledgeable guests to help us understand the process and business of writing from a number of different perspectives. -- Joanne Donovan

"Micol's class has been an inspiration. I've been trying finish my book for years, and this class has helped me really focus on completing it. I've met several editors and agents through the class that I plan on reaching out to. None of this would have happened without Micol. Micol = Awesome." -- Darci Manley

"Micol is one of those teachers you're lucky to find. She brings in top-notch guests, and genuinely cares about the success of her students. With Micol's guidance, I landed a four book deal while taking her class." -- Shani Petroff

"Micol is amazing. She is thoughtful, helpful, and kind. There is always enough positive feedback to keep you writing, but enough critique to help you improve." -- Darci Manley

"Micol is the best. Her class is robust and insightful. She has great insight into the publishing industry, and brings in great speakers. If you're serious about writing a young adult novel, I highly recommend her course." -- Taylor Morris

"Thanks to Micol's guidance, I've finished my novel and am shopping it to agents. I couldn't have done it without this class -- and especially Micol!" -- Jocelyn Davies

"Micol inspires with her sense of story, her knowledge of the industry, and her ability to elicit the best out of everyone. Micol takes students through a generous spin of her rolodex, inviting fellow published authors, editors, and marketers as guest speakers." -- Melita Garza

"Micol consistently provides thoughtful and specific notes to your manuscript. I'm taking the class again because I've come to rely on all the great feedback she, and the class, gives." -- Molly Reisner

"Micol's class is perfect for the writer that wants to walk away with a finished manuscript." -- Alecia Whitaker Pace

"I'd recommend Micol's class in a heartbeat. By the end of the course, you'll have a huge number of pages, a good sense of the business, and a cadre of supportive and creative fellow writers." -- Lisa Selin Davis