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Young Adult Novel Writing

Write your YA book with the help of a senior editor at Laura Geringer Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Course is closed.
Young Adult Novel Writing

WHEN 12 weeks, Mondays, July 28 - October 27
Online chats: Mondays, 8:30-9:30 pm EST

WHERE Online. Click here for details.

LEVEL Intermediate

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.

In this class, you will learn:

  • How to write a teen novel proposal that doesn't end up in the slush pile
  • Tips for generating commercial hooks that will make your novel stand out from the rest
  • What makes a novel truly teen -- it's a lot more than just the ages of the characters
  • Whether or not you need an agent, and, if so, how to get one
  • How to write for teens without being condescending (they can smell patronizing a mile away!)

By the end of class, you will have:
A complete first draft of their 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).

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

Jill Santopolo's Courses

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Jill Santopolo
Jill Santopolo is a senior editor at Laura Geringer Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. She has worked on critically-acclaimed, award-winning, and New York Times best-selling titles. Jill holds a BA in English literature from Columbia University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. She is also the author of Alec Flint, Super Sleuth: The Nina, The Pinta and the Vanishing Treasure, published by Scholastic's Orchard Books imprint.

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