Crafting a Breakout Debut Novel: (Afternoon)
Winning the hearts of readers and publishers
with John Searles
People think breaking into the publishing world is very tough for a first time novelist, but actually agents, publishers and readers are hungry for new voices. In fact, a debut novelist has an easier time than someone whose first novel didn’t earn back the advance paid by the publisher.
This will be a class that is equally about the craft of writing and the business of writing.
Upon the 2001 publication of John Searles’s first novel, the critically acclaimed Boy Still Missing, Time named him a “Person to Watch” and the New York Daily News named him a “New Yorker to Watch.”
In this class, you’ll learn from a writer who achieved it what it really took to have a successful debut novel. John will cover such things as finding the essence of your most authentic and winning voice, crafting characters that people will care deeply about, creating a story arc that compels people to keep reading. Then he’ll share little-known but crucial elements of finding and working with an agent and developing a relationship with your publisher that will motivate them to invest in promoting your book.
4 Afternoons: Monday 11/11–Thursday 11/14 | 1:30-4:30pm
$795.00
In stock
John Searles is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning writer. His books are published in over a dozen languages and have been voted best of the year or top picks by Boston Globe, Entertainment Weekly, Salon and the American Library Association. The film adaptation of his novel, Strange But True, is currently streaming on Amazon Prime with an-all-star ensemble cast including Brian Cox (Succession), Amy Ryan (Only Murders In The Building), Nick Robinson and Margaret Qualley (Maid), Greg Kinnear and Blythe Danner. John’s recently published novel, Her Last Affair, was praised as “delightfully creepy” by People, “a tense, intricately woven tale of heartbreak, retribution and redemption” by Publishers Weekly and “a twisted thriller that explores despair and loneliness with cinematic flair” by Kirkus. For more than 20 years, John was the Books Editor of Cosmopolitan magazine. He appears frequently on NBC’s Today show as well having appeared on CBS This Morning, CNN, NPR’s Fresh Air and other national shows to discuss his books as well as his favorite reading recommendations.