WHEN 8 weeks, May 12 - July 6 Chats Mondays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intermediate PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info

Course Details

Chick Lit is one of the hottest genres in modern fiction, and it's gaining even more momentum with the films In Her Shoes, The Devil Wears Prada and The Nanny Diaries (all from chick lit books) hitting the big screen. Trade paperbacks with candy-colored covers and catchy titles line the front-of-store tables at bookstores everywhere. Maybe you've read books in this genre and thought, "I can write this!"

By the end of class, you will:
Be well on your way to completing the first draft of a chick lit novel. You'll also know how to sell it to agents and how to edit your own novel.

Admission Requirements
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a writing sample (less than 1,000 words).

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.
  

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Instructor Bio

Kristin Harmel's Courses

Kristin Harmel is the author of How to Sleep With a Movie Star (Feb. 2006), The Blonde Theory (Feb. 2007), and The Art of French Kissing (Feb. 2008), all chick lit novels from 5 Spot, an imprint of Warner Books. She's also the author of two upcoming teen chick lit books, which will be released by Delacorte Press, a division of Random House, in 2008. Cosmopolitan magazine called How to Sleep With a Movie Star "hilarious" and a "page-turner."

In addition to being a novelist, Kristin is also a frequent contributor to People magazine and a freelancer whose credits include Glamour, American Baby, YM, Woman's Day, Modern Bride, and Men's Health. She reviews chick lit novels on The Daily Buzz, a nationally syndicated morning television show that runs in more than 130 markets nationwide with 2 million viewers each day. She has taught at the University of Florida's College of Journalism & Communications (and remains a big Gators fan!).

Testimonials

I am presently on chapter 17 of what I anticipate will be a 22 chapter chick lit novel. I completely could not have achieved what I feel is a pretty great accomplishment without Kristin's chick lit class. She gave me a place to start and set me forth on a disciplined course. I have followed Kristin's excellent advice, and I hope that it will pay dividends down the road! -- Cat Hunter

"Kristin Harmel brings an unparalleled amount of enthusiasm and knowledge to the class. I couldn't have asked for a better structure, a more knowledgeable and helpful instructor, and a better forum for working on my chick lit book." -- Julie Easter

"Kristin is truly a dynamo! She takes the time to explain her writing process, respond to our writing process, and assist us in every way. She made herself available in and outside of class. A truly wonderful person and teacher." -- Ellen Feig

"I really appreciated the workshop and all of the insights from Kristin. I had a lot of great breakthroughs by attending the session and I found it really helpful. I am extremely excited to keep writing my novel and now feel I have a much better idea of what I should keep in mind and aim for as I do so. Kristin's simple, straightforward and encouraging methods made the class a pleasure and I am, sincerely, so glad that I attended." -- Olivia Martel

"Kristin Harmel is a great instructor. She motivates you to get the idea from your head onto the paper and get your book done. She goes beyond lecture to actual concepts. Amazing class and great writer, I would recommend it to anyone interested in writing chick lit." -- Linda Olatunde