In this workshop, we'll analyze what elements (beyond sheer luck) go into making a crime novel a breakaway bestseller. What does it take to launch a heretofore not all that well known author into the stratosphere? We'll look closely at two recent examples: William Landay's Defending Jacob and Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. Why did these books get and stay on national best seller lists? Is it a coincidence that each of these authors went supernova with their third novel? We'll try to extrapolate lessons learned and apply them to participants' works in progress. It is recommended but not essential that attendees read these two books prior to the class.

We'll first define this somewhat under-populated niche, showing how it differs from both adult mystery and middle-grade mystery—and how that difference affects the writing and marketing of your story. We'll discuss how to portray the lives of young people realistically—from how to handle slang and technology to choosing the most appropriate point of view. We’ll also examine the particular challenges of writing young adult sleuths, as your protagonist is unlikely to be a licensed private eye, a D.A., or a crusading journalist (but perhaps a high school newspaper reporter). Finally, we’ll explore the rewards and pleasures of writing for young people.

If you want to write good sex scenes, you’ve come to the right place. Elizabeth Benedict wrote the book on it—The Joy of Writing Sex: A Guide for Fiction Writers. Considered a classic in the how-to-write genre, and popular in MFA programs, it has helped writers in all genres create sex scenes that are woven into the plot, into the motivations of the characters, and the mood of the book. Whether your characters are criminals or cops, whether they're bad guys or good girls, her Crime Bake Master Class will help you discover strategies for creating sex scenes that are integrated into your stories and your characters' lives. For those who are nervous about tackling this subject or just don't know how much a writer needs to say in a sex scene - or leave unsaid - this workshop is for you.

No, it's not a match-making seminar. Just a class that will enable you to recognize the pitfalls, challenges, and joys of writing the series sleuth. From PIs and cops to amateurs of every stripe, you’ll learn how to create protagonists who endear themselves to readers—book after book.

The Book Architecture Method is a multi-step process for engaging your narrative at the frequently overlooked macro level. In Stuart Horwitz’s engaging presentation, he’ll provide examples of the Book Architecture Method in action, including how to:

• craft powerful narrative arcs
• order your scenes, connect neighboring scenes, and craft chapters
• deploy such techniques as foreshadowing, suspense, surprise, and shock

  Whether you’re a beginning novelist or published pro, whether you have finished a manuscript or are just starting to write, you’ll find the Book Architecture Method the valuable tool you need to create compelling narratives. 

Getting readers to ask that question is the essence of good storytelling. We call a book a page-turner when we find ourselves compelled to keep reading because the author has raised questions for us — about the characters and the plot — that we need to have answered. Effective pacing isn't about having the story move at breakneck speed; it's more a matter of raising questions for the reader by carefully doling out information so that there is always more to discover further on. In this session, we'll talk about the techniques you can use to pull readers through your story, and how a slower pace can sometimes be even more intriguing than a series of gunfights and cliffhangers.