Is there a single best way to learn fiction and novel craft? To begin or redraft a novel or short story? There is. A significant amount of fiction craft and technique exists that is known only to a relatively small number of people. This craft and technique is not taught, not even at the college MFA level. Given that such craft and technique is best learned from the works of those authors who originated and/or utilized it most effectively, an examination of these works in detail will provide participants with the comprehensive knowledge they need to transform their own short stories and novels.

Is there a single best way to approach getting published? There is. Our workshops also focus on genre research, agent needs, editorial services, short fiction publication, and more. You learn the hard yet reassuring facts about the market.

Students of our workshops gain an immediate advantage of association due to the fact that our workshops are hosted and supported by the Web del Sol Association, the largest publisher of periodical contemporary literature (short fiction and poetry) in the U.S. Specific information on Web del Sol can be found in this recent article from "Poet's and Writers" magazine.

A summary of advantages as follows:

• A Foot In the Publication Door. Short stories workshopped at Algonkian will be read by Web del Sol editors and discussed for possible publication in any one of several quality fiction magazines. A collection of literary reviews at Web del Sol can be found here. Web del Sol and its publications receive, in total, an average of 2000 readers per day. Since Web del Sol includes only the finest, a work published in any of these periodicals makes it easier for the writer to continue to be published elsewhere. Also, when it comes to persuading an agent to read a novel manuscript, appearing in one of our magazines will put you over the top.

• An Agent Nexus. Due to Web del Sol's reputation in the literary community, it is a crossroads and nexus for agents, visited regularly by representatives from the best agencies in the U.S. If you are writing short fiction but you also want to signal to an agent that a novel is in the works, Web del Sol is the place to be published. If you are a novel writer, please know that Algonkian Workshops have forged mutually beneficial connections with quality agencies and they have agreed to review promising and unique novel concepts submitted to them by Algonkian. If the agents like your concept (novel title plus two to three sentence capsule summary), they will read an ms excerpt. This significant bridge is made possible due to our growing reputation as a superior novel workshop. Algonkian will assist in getting your first novel published, whether literary or genre.

• HOLLYWOOD AND INDEPENDENT FILM NEXUS. WDS/Algonkian is actively looking to turn novel concepts/ms into "high concept" pitches to forward to producers and agents in LA. If any pitches are accepted, Algonkian will work with writers to turn them into scripts. Algonkian will negotiate with writers for partnership if LA green lights the pitches (one or two sentences about the story). Read Michael Neff's SolPix interview to get a feel for the atmosphere.

  Also, SolPix itself, Web del Sol's film and fiction website, is looking for good short fiction to introduce to filmmakers and producers, both indie and Hollywood, many of whom are starved for original stories. The SolPix site can be found here. Web del Sol editors will include quality workshopped fiction at SolPix.

Our new Algonkian online classes are taught by experienced workshop professionals. In addition, the Algonkian online classes are unique in that each one also comes with its own Editor, Author, or Agent in residence, i.e., an experienced professional who gives of their time to answer questions in our forums. Additionally, a Web del Sol editor advises and observes during the course of the shop. In reality then, you have no less then three writing professionals involved in the outcome of each workshop.

Algonkian Workshops online contain the following features:

• Asynchronous Mode. You do not have to be present at the exact moment your teacher or classmates are interacting online. Your writing exercises, shop critiques, and study material can be accomplished at any time during the week.
• Online Workshop Features. Lectures, exercises, instructor and class critiques. A prototype of the class is available to demonstrate electronic workshop features (Note: a small portion of content is included as a sample. Log in as "Guest" and "Guest")
• Interactive, Supportive Community. As our students learn craft in the context of their work, they receive tangible feedback, both from fellow students, their instructor, the professional in residence, and a Web del Sol editor as appropriate.
• Solid Workshop Environment. Algonkian online shops are interactive classrooms, and a student does not need to understand any special software or commands. If you can point and click with a mouse, you are home free!
• Perpetual Log-In. For the duration of the workshop, students can log-on anywhere and 24/7.

The Algonkian approach is unique, and unequalled in other workshops. Writers prefer the Algonkian method because of its author study selections, prose and structure exercises, and narrative enhancement guides. Novel writers prefer our core focus on dramatic complication and theme as the primary elements upon which character, plot, and all other elements build. All our students learn technique, style, and structure from the most powerful and original fiction writers and novelists. Click here for our author list. Click here for a sample of our "Craft-in-Progress" novel workshop material.

Please note that:

• Algonkian novel students will begin the novel. Students who have not yet begun the novel will have it started before the end of the workshop. Students who have already begun will restructure and redraft as appropriate based on craft learned during the workshop.
• Algonkian short fiction students will write and develop at least one well-edited short story through a suitable number of drafts. Students who already have a story will refine and redraft as necessary.
• Algonkian teaches the Art of Fiction. Most writers fail to get published either because they do not understand the art of fiction, or they are unwilling to make compromises to satisfy the art of fiction.
• Algonkian also teaches the art of fictional style. Students, regardless of mastery, will be provided prose drills and narrative enhancement guides designed to refine and hone style.
• Algonkian course exercises are foundation designed, that is, each writer works their short story or novel from the ground up, step-by-stepping basics as the workshop progresses.

"THE ART OF FICTION I"   (Short Fiction Craft Via Study and Emulation)   Cost: $382.00   Dates: Oct. 1 to Dec. 10 (Ten Sessions) This workshop focuses on the exploration of short story technique and method by examining the foundational craft that makes a story successful. The best teachers of short story craft are those who have mastered it; therefore, weekly lessons will act as a comprehensive guide, exploring the varied ways powerful and diverse short fiction masters have utilized craft technique to create vigorous and enduring short fiction. Participants will explore these craft concepts in extensive discussions and will practice and experiment with the skills in exercises that are designed to encourage the writer toward developing a solid foundation of technique. If you need more info, drop us an email or call our home office at 703-281-4426. Please APPLY below. Payment due within two weeks following acceptance.

Application

AF I Syllabus

Author Lists

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO USE A CREDIT CARD, PLEASE MAIL A CHECK FOR $382.00 TO WDS/ALGONKIAN "ART OF FICTION I" 2020 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW SUITE 443 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006.

Workshop Leader: Brandi Reissenweber  Brandi Reissenweber received her MFA in creative writing from New York University. She is on the editorial staff of Francis Ford Coppola's ZOETROPE: ALL STORY, and also teaches at Gotham Writer's Workshop. Her fiction is widely published in literary journals, most recently in RATTAPALLAX. Her work has garnered several awards, including the Virginia Ferris Creative Writing Award.  EDITOR-IN-RESIDENCE: M. M. M. Hayes  Ms. Hayes is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of STORYQUARTERLY, has been anthologized in NEW STORIES FROM THE SOUTH, BEST OF 1995, IN 2PLUS2:AN ANTHOLOGY OF INTERNATIONAL FICTION and listed in BEST OF THE WEST. Honors include a Katherine Anne Porter Prize from NIMROD, prizes from REDBOOK, WRITER'S DIGEST, Writers of the Future Contest, NEGATIVE CAPABILITY and numerous screen fellowships.  Advisory Editor: Michael Neff  Michael Neff is Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director of WEBDELSOL.COM and the founder and director of ALGONKIAN NOVEL WORKSHOPS. He is publisher of several national literary magazines at WEBDELSOL including IN POSSE REVIEW, 5_TROPE, and DEL SOL REVIEW. His own work has appeared in THE LITERARY REVIEW, NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW, MUDLARK, QUARTERLY WEST, PITTSBURGH QUARTERLY, CONJUNCTIONS, AND AMERICAN WAY MAGAZINE. Currently, he is looking for short ficiton and original novels to publish, and/or place with agents and film producers.

"CRAFT-IN-PROGRESS I"   (The Novel: Drama, Theme, and Narrative Style)   Cost: $382.00   Dates: Oct. 1 to Dec. 10 (Ten Sessions) CIP I focuses on the creation of emotional and intellectually powerful works. This class will examine, discuss, and then complete specific craft exercises derived from direct analysis of a select group of works (see "Syllabus" and "Author List"). Students will study an impressive array of narrative, scene, and structure technique, enabling them to begin, enhance, and/or reconstruct their novel in more powerful ways. Also, myths of novel writing will be quickly dispelled. Students will also be provided with considerable instruction and reference materials, including an "author checklist." By immersing in the craft and narrative learned from CIP authors, the student's expectations and goals for their own novel are considerably raised. If you need more info, drop us an email or call our home office at 703-281-4426. Please APPLY below. Payment due within two weeks following acceptance.

Application

CP I Syllabus

Author Lists

IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO USE A CREDIT CARD, PLEASE MAIL A CHECK FOR $382.00 TO WDS/ALGONKIAN "ART OF FICTION I" 2020 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW SUITE 443 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006.

Workshop Leader: Brandi Reissenweber  Brandi Reissenweber received her MFA in creative writing from New York University. She is on the editorial staff of Francis Ford Coppola's ZOETROPE: ALL STORY, and also teaches at Gotham Writer's Workshop. Her fiction is widely published in literary journals, most recently in RATTAPALLAX. Her work has garnered several awards, including the Virginia Ferris Creative Writing Award.  AGENT-IN-RESIDENCE: Betsy Amster  Ms. Amster is president of Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises. Before opening her agency in 1992, Betsy spent ten years as an editor at Pantheon and Vintage and two years as editorial director of the Globe Pequot Press. The subject of an article on well respected "boutique agents" in a recent issue of Poets and Writers magazine, Betsy represents many first-time novelists. Recent projects placed include: Mary Rakow’s THE MEMORY ROOM (Counterpoint—starred Publishers Weekly review); María Amparo Escandón's ESPERANZA'S BOX OF SAINTS (Scribner, #1 L.A. Times bestseller, and basis of the film "Santitos" executive produced by John Sayles), Dwight Allen's THE GREEN SUIT (Algonquin), and NATURE LESSONS by Lynette Brasfield (forthcoming from St. Martin’s).  Advisory Editor: Michael Neff  Michael Neff is Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director of WEBDELSOL.COM and the founder and director of ALGONKIAN NOVEL WORKSHOPS. He is publisher of several national literary magazines at WEBDELSOL including IN POSSE REVIEW, 5_TROPE, and DEL SOL REVIEW. His own work has appeared in THE LITERARY REVIEW, NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW, MUDLARK, QUARTERLY WEST, PITTSBURGH QUARTERLY, CONJUNCTIONS, AND AMERICAN WAY MAGAZINE. Currently, he is looking for short fiction and original novels to publish, and/or place with agents and film producers.

CIP II and AF II SHOP WINTER SCHEDULES UPCOMING