Events

UPCOMING FREE TALKS

Washington Metro Area

Libraries, Community Centers, & Art Galleries

David Hazard walks you through a virtual book publishing committee meeting, telling you exactly what each member of a review committee, from the publisher to the promotions director, needs to hear to give the “thumbs-up” vote for your manuscript. Afterwards, he’ll field all your questions about agents, contracts, and e-book publishing.

  • Sunday, March 8, 2 pm
    Purcellville Public Library, Purcellville VA
    Writing Young Adult Novels
    The young adult (YA) market is booming, attracting readers both younger and older. This free talk will help you understand how to develop a page-turning novel, how to quickly hook and keep the attention of an audience, and how to build important themes into your work that publishers and readers will love.
  • Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 pm
    Purcellville Public Library, Purcellville VA
    Your Story Needs to be Told! Writing a Memoir that Sells
    Readers are eager for well-told personal stories – so what about yours? Find out how your memoir can connect with a wide audience, and learn the secrets of good narrative writing.
  • Tuesday, April 7, 7pm
    Rust Library, Leesburg VA
    How to Turn Yourself into a Writer: A Plan You Can Follow
  • Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 pm
    Purcellville Public Library, Purcellville VA
    How to Turn Yourself into a Writer: A Plan You Can Follow
    Sometimes new writers don’t know where to begin – to organize their lives, their time, their ideas, or how to set up a writing plan that really works. If you want to shift out of non-writing gear and create space and plan to get your book written, this talk is full of practical ideas for you.
  • Monday, May 4, 6:30 pm
    Purcellville Public Library, Purcellville VA
    Writing a Great Novel that Sells!
    Fiction writers often set out with just a single idea – and quickly lose their way. Half-begun ideas and manuscripts sit idle. This workshop will deliver the secrets of writing a page-turning novel, the kind that grabs the attention of literary agents and publishers… and has readers begging for more.
  • Tuesday, May 5, 7pm
    Rust Library, Leesburg VA
    Get “Un-Stuck” and Get Writing: Breaking through Writer’s Block

David Hazard's talks are always anticipated and appreciated by our library patrons. His practical advice, born of years of experience, has encouraged many local writers to hone their craft and work toward publication!

Bethany Richardson, Adult Services Librarian
Ashburn Library, Loudoun County Public Library

 

RETREATS

Tuscany

Art*iculation - 13-day retreat

Montorno

for artists and writers

A unique 13-day retreat for both artists and writers. Enjoy sessions on painting, writing great narratives, and marketing. The creative emphasis for both artists and writers will be on building keen awareness: really seeing what you see, to make your painting and storytelling more vivid and powerful. You will also learn how to "articulate", or to put into words what you want to say about your visual work or your writing in a way that powerfully impacts and moves your audience.

May 13 - 25, 2020

 

Upstate New York

 

Adirondack Writing Sojourn

Old Forge, NY

A creative getaway to launch or advance your career in writing in the forever wild beauty of upstate New Yorks pristine mountains and lakes. Professional publishing consultants, writing coaches, and bestselling authors are on hand to guide you and provide constructive critiques in this powerful 6-night 5-day session.

Learn more and view costs and registration.

September 12 - 18, 2021

 

WORKSHOPS

 

View

the Arts Center
Old Forge, New York

  • Getting Publishers to Say, "Yes!"
    Saturday, May 18, 2019, 10:00 PM - 3:00 PM

    If you want to publish your work it’s extremely important to know - from the beginning - what it takes to land a publishing contract. Who is your audience? What does your book do for them? - these and other important questions are what literary agents and publishers ask. You need to know the answers.

    This workshop will take you through a virtual publishing committee meeting, and tell you exactly what each person voting on your book proposal or manuscript needs to see in your pitch.

    At the end, you’ll know how to write a winning pitch letter and proposal, and how to make your approach to the right agents or publishing companies, so you can achieve publishing success.

    Preregistration required. Register by May 11, 2019

  • ART*ICULATION: Honing Your Powers of Expression: For Both Artists and Writers
    — with David Hazard and Becky Harblin

    Saturday, June 22, 2019, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

    Writing that is vivid, colorful, and rich in detail has power to hold reader interest - including art patrons as well as literary agents and publishers. This workshop teaches greater “eye-word coordination”, an invaluable skill for both writers and writers and visual artists who write about their work.

    Learn more about this unique workshop. Preregistration is required. Register by June 15, 2019

  • Secrets of Writing a Great Novel.. That Sells!
    Sunday, September 15, 2019, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

    You have a story inside you, and it’s time to start or finish it. How do make a great story work? How do you make characters dynamic and compelling? How do you ensure that it finds an audience eager to read it?

    This workshop will help you plan your storyboards, outlines, character development, chapter flow... exactly what you need to help you create a great novel.

    Preregistration is required. Register by September 8, 2019

  • Writing Your Story: Memoirs That Sell
    Sunday, October 13, 2019, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

    Many of us try to make sense of what we have lived. We also have the urge to write. This seminar offers you the fundamentally important skills to help you write your memoir – whether just for yourself, for your family, or for publication to a national audience.

    Memoir writing helps you find ‘the silver thread’ of insight that makes your life make sense, and makes your memoir valuable to others.

    Learn how to find that all-important ‘thread’ that makes your personal story interesting and valuable to readers.

    Preregistration is required. Register by October 6, 2019

View Arts Center in Old Forge, NY

Anam Cara

Writing with Fire!Creating Works that Rivet Your Readers

The week will help you find or further explore your voice as a writer. Voice is the edge every acquisition editor and contest judge looks for, beneath the writer’s technical skill. Your voice your fire, if you will — is what gives your writing, from first to last, its true and lasting brilliance.
Great writers… successful writers… learn how to speak with “the voice of the soul, and the voice of the body.” Power is released into your writing when you open these energies. Whether creating a novel, a memoir, or essays, fresh, riveting voice is essential.
Learn more about Anam Cara: anamcararetreat.com

April 14 - May 21, 2018

For more information or to register: Contact us