WRITE YOUR OWN PERSONAL HISTORY: LEARN FICTION TECHNIQUES FOR TODAY’S DEMANDING READERS
MONDAYS AT 6:30 PM PT IN THE COMFORT
AND SAFETY OF YOUR OWN HOME
June 5, 12, 19 & 26*
WHO: Toni Lopopolo, Literary Agent, Editor, former New York Executive Editor at Macmillan and St. Martin’s Press
WHAT: Workshop offered for writers of memoir/narrative nonfiction, the standout genre so popular with today’s readers.
WHERE: On your computer, smart phone or tablet via Zoom.
WHEN: Mondays, 6:30 pm Pacific, June 5, 12, 19 & 26*
*If you can’t make all four dates, talk to Toni (215) 353-1151. Find out about days and times for other Zoom writers’ workshops.
Literary agent and editor, Toni Lopopolo, shows writers how to craft personal narratives into marketable books. Toni asked top New York editors what they look for in a memoir manuscript and what they published in 2020, plus what they want to find for their 2021-22 lists. With this knowledge of industry demands, Toni created a writing workshop to fine-tune memoirs, one of the most popular and best-selling genres.
A former executive editor at Macmillan and St. Martin’s Press, as well as a literary agent for many years, Toni knows what it takes to get a book published. Her highly successful workshops raise writers to a competitive level in fiction and narrative nonfiction. Toni’s methods, strong yet constructive, help students master the skills necessary to become a successful published author.
Great memoirs include family stories like The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls (five years on the bestsellers lists), recovery stories like Mary Karr‘s Lit, and coming of age stories like Educated by Tara Westover.
Memoir tips: Try to earn a review like this
Everything I Have Is Yours: A Marriage by Eleanor Henderson
“It is a confusing time to be a woman who loves a troubled man,” Henderson writes in this unflinching memoir of her husband’s long and and confounding illness. She tells their story with a novelist’s eye for detail and the honesty of a trusted friend.”
In the Memoir Workshop you’ll learn:
- How to create a distinctive narrative voice
- Fiction techniques to make your story an intriguing read
- The important skill of detachment
- The development of visceral honesty
- The elements that give a story universal appeal
- How to orchestrate story, characters, events, and sequence
- How to narrow the lens to achieve focus for today’s readers
- If you should fictionalize your memoir
- If your memoir measures up to what’s published today
- What to include or leave out
- How to use the patchwork quilt method
- How to edit for interest and drama
- How to become your own best editor
Each writer accepted receives hands-on editing, a reading list of classic memoirs, the best of the best books for memoir studies, plus a list called: Habit Words We All Overuse.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from a literary agent and professional editor who guides you through the steps necessary to improve the quality of your writing skills and techniques. These intense training sessions take place in a small group of dedicated writers.
Each workshop limited to six writers who must submit the first five pages of their first chapter before acceptance. Toni will then discuss with each writer the format of the workshop, what you’ll receive, what you need to bring, and what’s expected of you, how to prepare for learning, the time needed, the work you put in.
$285 includes four consecutive workshop sessions
Phone Toni at (215) 353-1151 for information and workshop format.
For more information
Email lopopolobooks@gmail.com
Note: Once a writer’s place is reserved, the workshop fee is nonrefundable. Missed workshops or single sessions may be made up within 30 days of the original date.
Testimonials from past students of Toni Lopopolo:
“I’m a business writer and blogger, and always dreamed of publishing my life story. For ten years I tried to put my experiences on paper but learned that writing a book requires a different skill set from business writing. Thank God for Toni. I learned a new set of skills for writing and for editing in Toni’s workshops. Her knowledge and book-publishing background in New York offers a huge advantage to writers. Highly recommended.” – Susan Hartzler, author of I’m Not Single, I Have a Dog, McFarland (April 21, 2021)
“If you want to upgrade your writing and learn the craft from an industry professional, Toni is the go-to teacher! I have learned so much from Toni and grateful for her instruction.” – Tisha Morris, Woodland Hills, CA
“I learned more in this ‘take no prisoners’ workshop than any other. Toni’s honest, concise and fearless dedication to craft exposed me to much-needed self-editing techniques, character development as well as other authors who are killing it on the page. I gained the necessary tools to whip my manuscript into shape and I am a better writer because of Toni.” – Pam Ward, author, Want Some Get Some, Kensington
Toni Lopopolo Literary Management 