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Nonfiction Book Writing

Draft your book with the help of an agent

Course is closed.
Nonfiction Book Writing

WHEN 12 weeks, October 21 - January 20
Online chats: Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 pm EST

WHERE Online. Click here for details.

LEVEL Intermediate

PRICE
$610 ($575 for )
more info

Course Details

Even experienced writers can balk at having to fill hundreds of pages with tens of thousands of words. 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: how-to, history, political science, psychology, medicine, memoir, lifestyle, science, literature and art, personal essays, and business, to name a few.

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 on these topics while receiving invaluable feedback on your writing by an industry professional and your peers. The 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
  • How to create a dramatic structure for your book that will make it a page turner
  • How to find and sustain the right voice
  • How to distinguish your book in a crowded marketplace
  • Insights into the publishing industry that can affect how and what you write

By the end of this class, you will have:
A working draft (75-100 pages), a full chapter outline, and a plan for the completion of your book

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

Ryan Fischer-Harbage's Courses

How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal that Sells – New York (Seminar on January 20)
Nonfiction Book Proposal Writing – New York (Class starts January 21)

Ryan Fischer-Harbage
Ryan Fischer-Harbage edited books for Little, Brown & Company and the Penguin Group before joining Simon & Schuster to help create and launch a new imprint, Simon Spotlight Entertainment. Ryan edited Peter Singer's New York Times bestseller, The President of Good & Evil: The Ethics of George W. Bush, Farah Ahmedi's New York Times bestseller, The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky, and the Pulitzer Prize winning Boston Globe Spotlight Team's Betrayal: The Crisis in the Catholic Church, among others. His opinions on books and writing have appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Poets & Writers, Publisher's Weekly, and many others. He attended Kalamazoo College, The Radcliffe Publishing Course, and the writing and literature program at Bennington College.

Testimonials


I went home from Ryan's class feeling pumped, and spent hours polishing up my proposal. I wrote a pitch letter and by morning, all of the agents had responded. I now have a book deal and the perfect editor who completely gets my vision. -- Kate Torgovnick, author

"Ryan combines wit, honesty and old-fashioned know-how to deliver practical tools for anyone serious about writing a book. I am more focused and determined. Only regret -- it ended too soon." -- Tania Fuentez

"Ryan was quite inspirational. Any aspiring writer should sign up for this class. He gives great insight into the do's and don'ts in dealing with agents and editors in a variety of genres." -- Mercedes Vizcaino, Photo Editor, All You Magazine

"I have nothing but compliments about Ryan's seminar -- it was fantastic! I came away enthused about the industry, about my prospects as a future author, and jazzed to have been surrounded by so many bright, creative peers." -- Emma Johnson

"Ryan presented a most thoughtful and in-depth lecture on writing book proposals, and my questions and more were definitely answered during the Q & A period." -- Taylor Ashley

"Ryan was great! He's clearly very experienced and knowledgeable. He also has an intelligent, straightforward, and lovely way about him. I left feeling much clearer about exactly what I need to do in order to complete my proposal and get it out to agents." -- Lisa Zamosky

"Ryan is incredibly knowledgeable and creates a supportive environment. With the help of Ryan and this class I was able to finish my nonfiction book proposal and signed with a fantastic agent!" -- Katie Sweeney

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