🗒️ CRAFT COMPELLING PERSONAL ESSAYS: How to Write & Pitch Narratives That Move Readers
Writing about your lived experiences can unlock your potential as a storyteller, open doors to new opportunities, and add deeper meaning to your life.Learn how to transform your personal stories into narratives that move readers and help you grow as a writer.In 4 weeks, you'll craft, revise, and prepare your first (or next) essay for publication — all in the company of creative friends.
Live 4-Week 'Sprint' w/ Feedback (May 2024): £279
💌 START YOUR SUBSTACK: Launch a Newsletter You're Proud Of
Dreaming of starting your a newsletter in 2024?Over four weeks, we'll help you clarify your creative goals and vision for your newsletter, navigate Substack's digital publishing tools, write, edit, and publish your first post, and find your first subscribers.
Live 4-Week 'Sprint' w/ Feedback (Late 2024): £279
📝 QUERY WITH CONFIDENCE: Land an Agent That’s Right For You
Dreaming of getting your book in front of literary agents, but not sure where to start?In 4 weeks, you'll learn what it takes to write a compelling pitch for your book, get your work in front of agents—and get them excited about your writing.
Self-Paced: £79
Live 'Sprint' w/ Agent Feedback (Late 2024): £279
⚡️IDEA TO OUTLINE: Draft a First Outline of Your Brilliant Idea
Have an idea for a story that you can’t get out of your head?In 4 weeks, we’ll help you move from the spark of an idea to a holistic outline – so you can free yourself to do your best writing.
Self-Paced: £79
Live 4-Week 'Sprint' w/ Feedback (Late 2024): £279
🦄 WRITE A PICTURE BOOK: Craft a Story Children & Publishers Will Love
Learn what it takes to write picture books that children will love and publishers will want to buy.In 4 weeks, you'll ideate, outline and write a memorable picture book, and get live feedback from Penguin RandomHouse's Louis Grosart.
Self-Paced: £79
Live 'Sprint' w/ Feedback (Late 2024): £279
Idea to Outline: Draft a First Outline of Your Brilliant Idea
Have an idea for a story that you can’t get out of your head?In 4 weeks, we’ll help you move from a vague idea toward feeling confident about the shape your story – so you can free yourself to do your best writing.
Self-Paced • £79
Live Sessions w/ Feedback (April 8) • £279
Discounts for LWS Silver Members & Gold Members.
Learn how to grow your story from the seed of an idea to the start of a magnificent book.
In 4 weeks, you'll explore your story’s potential and expand your vague story idea into a holistic outline.Get expert instruction and individualised feedback on your work to help you craft your best story.
In Just 4 Weeks, You Will:
✅ Understand and feel connected with your main characters.✅ Define your setting and world through writing prompts and exercises.✅ Learn how to plot out your story and give it a solid structure.✅ Understand how to establish a regular writing practice to complete your story.✅ Create a draft outline for your story and be clear on your next steps.
✅ Get access to a bonus database of tools, resources, and links.✅ Receive expert and peer-to-peer feedback from tutors on your work. (Live Sprint Only)✅ Have all of your burning questions answered in our community forum and live Q&As. (Live Sprint Only)
Your Instructor:
Anna Wilson:
Anna Wilson has published over 50 books for children, teens including picture books, short stories, poems, non-fiction and fiction series. Before being published, Anna was a picture book editor at Macmillan Children’s Books and HarperCollins.In 2016 she started her blog Good Grief about mid-life, loss and new beginnings. This eventually led to her memoir A Place for Everything. She is currently working on her novel. Anna is also an editor and lecturer, a tutor for the London Lit Lab and the Writer's Block in Cornwall and for the Arvon Foundation.
Who is this course for?
▸ Anyone with a vague idea for a fiction or memoir story.▸ Budding writers completely new to fiction and writing.▸ Experienced writers who want expert guidance to help you craft your next book.
Course Outline:
Week 1: Characters
🎥 1.1 Introduction To Character
🎥 1.2 Exercise: Character - Diving Deeper
🎥 1.3 Be Specific In Language & Imagery
🎥 1.4 Exercise: Character - Diving Even Deeper
🎥 1.5 John Yorke's 5 Act Structure
🎥 1.6 What is Point of View (POV)?
🎥 1.7 Understanding Dialogue
🎥 1.8 Exercise: Write a Scene Using Dialogue
🎯1.9 Week 1 Assignment - Draft Your CharactersWeek 2: Setting & World Building
🎥 2.1 Introduction To Setting & World Building
🎥 2.2 Writing Exercise A: Creating a Path
🎥 2.3 The Art of World Building
🎥 2.4. World Building In Pullman's Northern Lights
🎥 2.5 World Building In Mantel's 'Bring Out The Bodies'
🎥 2.6 Writing Exercise - Visualization & Writing With All The Senses
🎯 2.7. Week 2 Assignment - World Building for Your StoryWeek 3: An Introduction To Structure
🎥 3.1 Introduction
🎥 3.2 John Yorke's 10 Questions
🎥 3.3 Exercise A - 10 Story Questions
🎥 3.4 Why Do We Need Structure?
🎥 3.5: Exercise B: Your Key Scenes
🎥 3.6 A Reflection On The Exercise & Your Key Scenes
🎥 3.7 Pace
🎥 3.8 John York's 5 Act Structure - The Hobbit
🎥 3.9 Exercise C - Use Road-Map
🎥3.10 Pixar Structure
🎯 Week 3 Assignment - Write Your OutlineWeek 4: Common Questions & Next Steps
🎥 4.1 Recap + Inciting Incident
🎥 4.2 Q&A
🎥 4.3 Next Steps + Homework
🎯 Week 4 Assignment - Write Your Synopsis
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
LWS Silver & Gold Members get £30-off.
About: 4-Week Live Sprint
Several times each year, we run a cohort-based, live 4-week 'Sprint' to move through the material together.Includes the Idea To Outline course, plus: Community + Live Sessions + Editorial Feedback Opportunities
Each Week Includes:
🖥️ A Lesson: You'll learn a key part of the picture book writing and publishing process.✅ An Action: Each week, you'll share a deliverable with your fellow writers and editor, Lou Grosart.✍️ Weekly Live Working Session and Q&A: We’ll gather every week for silent working sprints, Q&A or critique sessions.
It is not mandatory to attend the live sessions. You will still participate and get feedback on your work.
🗓️ Weekly Live Sessions:
Includes 4 live sessions, on Mondays at 6:30pm BST / 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT.Not mandatory to attend live, but encouraged.Week 1: April 8 - Kick off & Check inWeek 2: April 15 - Check-in & Q&AWeek 3: April 22 - Check-in & Q&AWeek 4: April 29 - Check-in & Q&A
FAQs: Live Sprint
Who is Idea to Outline for?
This sprint will be most useful to writers wanting to write any form of fiction, whether it’s long or short form or a children’s story.Is this Sprint delivered live?Our workshops are pre-recorded; our Q&As are live. You'll also be submitting homework in real-time.How long will it take me to get through this sprint?You'll need to spend 2-3 hours each week to get the most from this course, including attending our live sessions.Can I get 1-on-1 feedback on my work?Included in the sprint is one piece of feedback on a submission from either Anna or Abigail.Will this help me finally outline my story?This sprint will give you the tools to help you explore the scope of your story and start to outline your fictional piece.Will the live weekly Monday sessions be recorded?Yes all, sessions will be recorded.
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
Option 2:
Live Sprint w/ Feedback
4-Week Guided Sprint with Live Sessions & Editorial Feedback.
Next Intake: April 2024£279
Limited to 25 Writers.
Secure your spot today.
Write A Children's Picture Book
Learn how to write picture books that children will love and publishers will want to buy.Designed & Led by Penguin Random House Publisher Lou Grosart.
Self-Paced • £79
Live Sessions w/ Feedback • £279
Discounts for LWS Silver Members & Gold Members.
What does it take to turn a fun idea into a masterful and delightful picture book?
Writing for children isn't easy, but it is something that you can learn and master with the right tools and guidance.In 4 weeks, you'll get the perfect combination of support and instruction to kickstart your writing career as a picture book writer.Get the expert instruction and feedback you need to craft your best picture book.
In Just 4 Weeks, You Will:
1. Understand the picture book market. You'll walk away with a good working knowledge of the picture book market and understand the steps that go into creating UK's bestselling picture books.2. Know the process that goes behind the creation of a picture book.3. Understand the 5 Key Principles of writing a compelling picture book.
4. Have the know-how to create your own picture book outline and draft.5. Receive expert feedback twice from Picture Book Publisher Louise Grosart on your work. (Live Sprint Only)6. Have all of your burning questions answered in our online community forum or in our live Q&As. (Live Sprint Only)
Your Instructor:
Louise Grosart:
Louise Grosart has over a decade of experience publishing picture books and working with licensed books for brands like Dreamworks, BBC, Hasbro and Dr Seuss.She is currently a Publisher at Penguin Random House where she works on household names such as Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee. She was previously the editor for million-copy selling The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas (by Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter and Garry Parsons), Sarah and Duck, and has worked on hundreds of brands and stand-alone picture books for Penguin Random House and Egmont Publishing.As part of her job, she works closely with writers, illustrators and designers and understands what agents and editors are looking for, and has created a 5-step process for mastering picture books.
Who is this course for?
▸ Experienced writers who want to turn their hand to picture books.▸ Picture book writers who want feedback on an current project.▸ Budding writers completely new to picture books and writing!
Course Outline:
Pre-Course Introduction - Welcome!
🎯 ACTION: Check in with Yourself
🎥 Welcome! How This Masterclass Works
🎥 Introducing Your Editor, Louise Grosart
🎯 ACTION: Check in with yourself & set your intention for the courseWeek 1: Introduction to Picture Books
1.1 🎥 What is a Picture Book?
1.2 🎥 The Picture Book Marketplace
1.3 🎥 How are Picture Books Made?
1.4 🎥 What Makes A Good Picture Book?
1.5 🎥 What To Avoid With Your Picture Book
1.6 🎥 Five Key Principles of a Great Picture Book
1.7 🎥 An Overview of The Classic Picture Book StructureWeek 2: Outline Your Picture Book
2.1 🎥 Create A Picture Book Outline Alongside Lou
2.2 🎥 Introduction & Prelims
2.3 🎥 Character & Setting
2.3A🎧 Brainstorm Your Character & Settings With Lou
2.4 🎥 Problems & Resolutions
2.4A🎧 Brainstorm Your Problems & Resolutions With Lou
2.5. 🎥 Giving Up & Turning Point
2.5A 🎧 Brainstorm Your 'Giving up' & 'Turning' Points With Lou
2.6 🎥 The Conclusion
2.6A🎧 Brainstorm Your Conclusion With LouWeek 3: Write Your First Draft
3.1 🎧 Writing Your First Draft
🎯 ACTION: Write Your First DraftWeek 4: Editing Your First Draft
4.1 🎧 Lou’s Tips on EditingWrap-Up: Bonus
🎥 How To Submit to Agents & Publishers (including Query Letter Template)
🎥 Q&A w/ Picture Book Agent
🎥 Interview w/ Penguin Random House Publisher Louise Grosart
Testimonials
"I got so much out of this course! It was clear, straightforward and covered the main elements of picture books. I've finally figured out my story. Thank you"–Barbara Kimmel"This has been so wonderful. Thanks for all of this insight and teaching!"
–Molly O"Chuffed that I’ve managed to write a story and grateful that I know a lot more than a month ago!"–Simone T
"Thank you so much! You’ve sparked something really inspiring for me and where I can channel my writing."
–Kara L"Beautifully organised from top to bottom... succinct and useful. I also enjoyed her kind and helpful advice, it is not everyone who can effectively teach something they know at this depth. Kudos!"
–Bonnie Macbird
"This has been been amazing...Really happy with the newly edited story"
–Diana B"A great opportunity to find out what publishers are looking for and to get one to one feedback from a talented editor. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in writing picture books."
–Debbie R"Wonderful course, very helpful and much appreciated" –Barb N
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
LWS Silver & Gold Members get £30-off.
About: 4-Week Live Sprint
Several times each year, we run a cohort-based, live 4-week 'Sprint' to move through the material together.Includes the Picture Book course, plus:Community + Live Sessions + Editorial Feedback Opportunities
Each Week Includes:
🖥️ A Lesson: You'll learn a key part of the picture book writing and publishing process.✅ An Action: Each week, you'll share a deliverable with your fellow writers and editor, Lou Grosart.✍️ Weekly Live Working Session and Q&A: We’ll gather every week for silent working sprints, Q&A or critique sessions.
It is not mandatory to attend the live sessions. You will still participate and get feedback on your work.
🗓️ Weekly Live Sessions:
We'll hold 4 live sessions over 4 weeks:Week 1 - Working Session + Q&AWeek 2 - Working Session + Q&AWeek 3 - Critique SessionWeek 4 - Critique Session
FAQs: Live Sprint
Is this course delivered live?The material is pre-recorded and designed to be taken at a weekly pace alongside your fellow students. There will also be weekly live Q&A and working sessions with Louise to help you work through the material and complete your homework. You'll also have the opportunity to get live feedback on your work from Louise.
How long will it take me to get through this course?You'll need to spend 2-3 hours each week to get the most from this course.
Will I get 1-on-1 feedback on my work?Yes you'll be invited to upload your work for critique from Louise. If you want more time with the editor, you can also book private coaching session with Louise.
Will this get me a book deal?The picture book market is extremely competitive, this course should help you understand what publishers, agents and readers are looking for and help you create a compelling picture book. Several of our students have gone on to get book deals.
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
Option 2:
Live Sprint w/ Feedback
4-Week Guided Sprint with Live Sessions & Editorial Feedback.
Next Intake: March 2024£279
Limited to 25 Writers.
Secure your spot today.
Query with Confidence & Find an Agent
Perfect Your Query Letter & Land an Agent That's Right For You.
Live Sprint w/ Feedback • £279
Next live dates TBA
Self-Paced • £79
Discounts for LWS Silver Members & Gold Members.
Querying literary agents can be stressful. But it doesn't have to be.
We’ve made it our goal to demystify the publishing landscape, simplify the process of writing an excellent query letter, and share what it takes to land a literary agent that's right for you.In 4 weeks, you'll learn how to get your work in front of agents—and get them excited about your stories.For FICTION or MEMOIR authors only.
In Just 4 Weeks, You Will:
1. Understand how to navigate the querying process and the publishing landscape.2. Craft an outstanding query letter to get agents interested in your story.3. Have a strategy for learning exactly which agents are a great fit for you and your book.4. Build a system for managing your querying process and workflow with organization and ease.
5. Learn how to navigate the highs and lows of the querying journey.6. Receive direct feedback from two literary agents on your query letter. (Live Sprint Only)7. Do it all alongside a community of fellow writers also querying. (Live Sprint Only)8. Have all of your burning questions answered in our online community forum or live weekly Q&As. (Live Sprint Only)
Testimonials
"I signed with Zeitgeist Literary Agency this week. It's an exciting step in the right direction. And I'm in talks with a publisher... I loved the Query course and it definitely gave me more clarity and confidence in my search. Good luck to all the writers out there." –Dean
"This course has been so helpful, inspiring and supportive. I would recommend it to anyone delving into the querying process. Writing can be a lonely journey at the best of times and querying can be brutal if you let it, but this course has changed that for me." –Becky K
Who is this course for?
▸ Memoir or Fiction writers with a completed manuscript who are looking for representation.▸ Writers in the midst of querying agents but not getting much traction.▸ Writers near the end of completing a draft of your book and considering publication.
Your Instructors
Parul Bavishi has been an editor for over a decade. In addition to running LWS, she helps thriller, YA and non-fiction writers level up their craft and get published. She has worked as an editor and literary scout at Random House, Quercus & Eccles Fisher and the Story Grid. She has been a consultant for StoryMix Studio. She has run the Query With Confidence Course for 3 years at LWS.Lindsey Trout Hughes is a writer and editor. Her essays have appeared in Bright Wall/Dark Room, The Rumpus, Catapult, and elsewhere. Her essay, Ghost Town Honeymoon, was chosen by Roxane Gay for the Emerging Writers Series in The Audacity. A teacher of creative nonfiction, she is an Assistant Books Editor at Barrelhouse.
Agents For Feb 2024 Live Sprint
Charlotte Colwill began her career as a bookseller and book buyer before making the switch to agenting. She has worked at Tibor Jones for Wilbur Smith's agent and worked editorially on his co-written recent works. She has also worked at Jo Unwin Literary Agency, with Rachel Mann's roster of clients which includes Eliza Clark, Caleb Femi and Jack Meggitt-Phillips. And since 2018, she has run her own literary agency Colwill & Peddle, representing a wide range of fiction, children's and non-fiction writers. She is very editorially-minded as an agent and loves to work closely with authors to craft their writing into brilliant, commercially viable books.View the latest book deals the agency is making on Twitter @colwillpeddle.Megan Staunton (Bergstrom Studios) specialises in commercial, self-help and literary non-fiction across the genres of memoir, mindfulness, interior design and midwifery. She has worked at Penguin Random House and Gleam Titles where she worked with authors such as Influencer of the Year Grace Victory, Paula Sutton of Hill House Vintage and the award-winning midwife, Marley Hall.Recent deals include books by Lottie Bowser (Little A), Emma Armstrong (DK Living UK), Rosie Steer (Bloomsbury) and Annie Rideout (Radar/ Hachette).
Testimonials
"[This] was the first time I had discussed the book in front of others and I hadn’t realised how nervous I was. It was an exceptional opportunity you created... I have no connection to the literary, editing, publishing world and some times feel like I am struggling in the dark and this course has been invaluable." –Lucy
"I signed with an agent last week using a query similar to the one I drafted during your live session. Thanks for the opportunity!" –Bryan C
Query With Confidence Course Outline:
Pre-Course Introduction
🎥 Welcome! How This Course Works
✍🏼 Introduce Yourself & Set IntentionsWeek 1 - Introduction to Querying & The Publishing Landscape
🎥 Querying & The Publishing Landscape
🎯ACTION: Find Comparisons For Your Book
🎯 ACTION: Get Your Comps Query Ready
📃 Live Q&A + Workshop Session (Wed, Feb 7)Week 2 - Drafting & Refining Your Query Letter
🎥 Craft Your Query Letter
🎯 ACTION: Revise & Refine Your Query Letter
📃 Live Q&A + Workshop Session (Wed, Feb 14)Week 3 - How to Query
🎥 Organise Your Query System
🎯 ACTION: Organize and Strategize
🎯 ACTION: Upload Your Query Letter for Instructor Feedback
📃 Live Agent Feedback Session (Wed, Feb 21)
Week 4: Sustaining the Journey
Add lesson🎥 Week 4: Sustaining the Journey
🎯 ACTION: Revise Your Query Letter
📃 Live Agent Feedback Session (Wed, Feb 28Week 5: Post Course Wrap Up
🎯 Dealing with Agent Feedback + Next StepsBonus Resources:
🎥 How to Write A Synopsis with Abigail Mann
📃 Synopsis Examples
🎥 Q&A w/ Rachel - My Query Journey
🎥 Q&A w/ Abigail - My Query Journey
🎥 Interview w/ Literary Agent Madeline Milburn
🎥 Interview with Literary Agent Ed Wilson
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
LWS Silver Members get £30-off.
About: 4-Week Live Sprint
Several times each year, we run a cohort-based, live 4-week 'Sprint' to move through the material together.Includes Query With Confidence course, plus:Community + Live Sessions + Agent FeedbackNext Live Sprint Kicks Off: Autumn, 2024
Each Week Includes:
🖥️ A Lesson: You'll learn a key part of the querying process.🎯 A Clear Action: Bitesize actions to help you write your query letter and submit to a literary agent.✍️ Weekly Live Sessions: Each week we'll host a live working session, Q&A and/or agent critique.We'll be with you every step of the way as you build your query letter and seek agent representation.
It is not mandatory to attend the live sessions. You will still participate and get feedback on your work.
🗓️ Weekly Live Sessions:
We'll hold 4 live sessions over 4 weeks.These take place at 7.30pm GMT/ 2.30pm ET/ 11.30am PT.Date TBA: Working Session + Q&ADate TBA Working Session + Q&ADate TBA: Live Feedback From Agent #1Date TBA: Live Feedback From Agent #2
FAQs: Live Sprint
Who is this course for?
This course will be most useful to writers seeking representation for completed, full-length works of fiction and memoir.Is this course delivered live?
Weekly seminars are pre-recorded and accompanied by actionable homework items. We’ll also meet live weekly for a Q&A and to work through where you might be feeling stuck.How long will it take me to get through this course?
You'll need to spend 2-3 hours each week to get the most from this course, including attending our live sessions.Can I get 1-on-1 feedback on my work?
Included in the course are two live sessions with agents who will provide feedback on query letters submitted in advance.Will this get me a literary agent?
The traditional publishing landscape is competitive, so we cannot guarantee you'll land an agent. But you will get direct feedback from two agents, and this course will help you understand what agents are looking for when seeking clients to represent. You will more confident in your next steps and understand what it takes to land a literary agent.Will you run the Sprint again?
Depending on demand, we may run this again. However it will likely be at a higher price.Will the live weekly sessions be recorded?
We will not record any of the live working sessions, but if any new material is introduced or live feedback is covered, we will record those. If you can't attend a live Agent, you will receive recorded feedback offline.
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace. Lifetime access to the content, plus any future modules.£79
Option 2:
Live Sprint w/ Feedback
4-Week Guided Sprint with Live Sessions & Agent Feedback.
Next Intake: Autumn 2024£279
*
Get In Touch.
Have a question? Comment? Idea?Get in touch.
Option 1:
Self-Paced Course
Move through the lessons at your own pace.Lifetime access to the content, plus any new modules added.£79
Option 2:
Live Sprint w/ Feedback
A 4-Week Guided Sprint w/ Live Working Sessions & Feedback on your Picture Book.Community + Live Sessions + Individual Editorial Feedback£279Next Intake: Autumn 2024
Write A Children's Picture Book:
A 4-Week Sprint
Learn how to write picture books that children will love, and publishers will want to buy.A four-week Sprint led by Penguin Editorial Director Lou Grosart.Limited to 20 writers.
Sep 10 - Oct 1, 2023 • £279
Discounts for LWS Silver Members & Gold Members.
In Just 4 Weeks, You Will:
1. Understand the picture book market. You'll walk away with a good working knowledge of the picture book market and understand the steps that go into creating UK's bestselling picture books.2. Know the process that goes behind the creation of a picture book.3. Understand the 5 Key Principles of writing a compelling picture book.
4. Have the know-how to create your own picture book outline and draft.5. Receive expert feedback from Louise on your work6. Have all of your burning questions answered in our online community forum or in our live Q&As
Each Week Includes:
🖥️ Recorded weekly lessons🙇 Live weekly 60-minute working sessions and Q&A’s🎯 Step-by-step assignments and clear actions🧰 A comprehensive querying strategy📝 2 x Live Agent Feedback Sessions📩 Downloadable Bonus Resources❤️ Private community for sharing progress, encouragement, and feedback
Query With Confidence
In 4 weeks, you'll learn how to write a compelling pitch for your book and land a literary agent that's right for you.Learn what it takes to your work in front of agents—and get them excited about your writing.For fiction and memoir writers.
Self-Paced: £79
Sprint: Guided w/ Agent Feedback: (Autumn 2024) £279