Submitting Your Novel? Make Sure Your Sample Pages Are Irresistible
The Forever Workshop blog post breaks down what literary agents look for in novel sample pages, featuring insights from publishing experts Jane Friedman, Karin Gillespie, and agent Erin C. Niumata. It explains why dramatic openings can backfire, introduces a line‑level test to gauge writing polish, and warns against over‑polishing or premature submissions. By following the advice, writers can craft sample pages that showcase voice, pacing, and plot, increasing the chance of securing representation.
Creating a Short Story Collection (When You Don’t Know Where to Start)
The Forever Workshop launches a targeted short‑fiction course led by author and former Wigleaf Top 50 series editor Shome Dasgupta. The session walks writers through four distinct methods for assembling a short‑story collection, covering logistics such as word count, story order,...
Your Protagonist Is Boring — Here's How to Fix That
The Forever Workshop announced a new online class led by award‑winning author Maurice Carlos Ruffin, focused on helping fiction writers craft compelling, three‑dimensional protagonists. The curriculum promises five actionable methods, ranging from deepening a character’s inner world to layering conflict...
Editors From The Sun, Ploughshares & Okay Donkey on What Makes Them Keep Reading
The Forever Workshop hosted a panel of literary editors from The Sun, Ploughshares, and Okay Donkey to dissect story pacing. Senior editor Derek Askey, poet‑editor Rachel Dillon, and fiction editor Steve Chang shared actionable techniques for moving narratives forward. Participants...