Stephen King's first editor will lead writing workshops at USI

USI's Center for Continuing and Professional Education will offer a series of writing workshops on Saturday and Sunday, November 23 and 24 in the University Center, Room 2205. Instructed by Michael Garrett, Stephen King's first editor and associate editor for Writer's Digest School, the series will help writers increase their odds of successful publication.

Garrett is an internationally respected editor who teaches writing around the country. He is co-editor of the Hot Blood anthology series and has published dozens of short stories and a novel. Garrett has worked with several other authors including Joyce Carol Oates, Lawrence Block, and Harlan Ellison.

Registration is $96 per workshop, $10 will be deducted from the total fee when registering for two or more workshops.

The series includes:

Fiction Writing for Beginners
Saturday, November 23, 9 a.m. to noon
Course Number: ALP434
An introductory workshop for new writers, participants will learn how to receive constructive criticism and feedback in order to improve their craft.

The Truth about Self-Publication
Saturday, November 23, 1 to 4 p.m.
Course Number: ALP433
Self-publication is a perfect low-cost solution for many writers wanting to target a specific audience and maintain control of their book. With little investment, professional-quality books can be listed on Amazon.com and ready to market around the world in a few weeks. Learn how to make the most of this new technology and bypass traditional publishers.

How to Become a Published Author
Saturday, November 23, 6 to 9 p.m.
Course Number: ALP430
Learn the keys to success in today's competitive publishing industry, including marketing techniques for quicker publication. Participants will also learn how to keep submissions out of the editor's slush pile, how to overcome writer's block, how to get editors to ask for a submission, and more.

Creating Your Novel
Sunday, November 24, 9 a.m. to noon
Course Number: ALP432
Learn a step-by-step methodology to produce a marketable first novel. Workshop attendees will learn how to formulate an outline, create a cast of characters, write an opening paragraph, and more.

Short Story and Novel Feedback
Sunday, November 24, 1 to 4 p.m.
Course Number: ALP431
Discover the minor mistakes writers make that cause manuscript rejections. Participants may bring two copies of the first five pages of their short story or novel manuscripts for review.

For more information, or to register, contact the Division of Outreach and Engagement at 812/464-1989 or 800/467-8600. Registrations may also be completed online at /extserv/ssl/regform.asp.