11-6
Advanced Fiction Writing:
Authoring a Book, Part One --
How It Works, What it Takes,
And How to Succeed
Suggested Grade Level: 8th to 12th grade
Do you want to publish a book? Get your need-to-know essentials here, for how to be an author -- as you learn what professional authors do every day, what goes into a manuscript, how to write a query letter, what you need to know about agents and publishers, and more…
Your Course Description
Learn what it takes to be an author — from personal practices to how to approach the publishing world and contact professionals in the industry. You’ll focus on the personal practices of successful writers, what’s important in creating a manuscript and query letter, why authors develop a “platform,” how to market and use the Internet to help your book get to its readers, and what you need to know about agents, publishers, and self publishers to be a published author. The course will also discuss what it’s like to be a Catholic author today.
Your Course Outline
Class 1: Personal practices of successful writers
Class 2: The manuscript and query
Class 3: The platform, marketing, and the Internet
Class 4: Agents, publishers, and self publishing
Your Course Details
Total Number of Classes: Four (4)
Prerequisites: None
Required Materials:
Document Creation
All documents are turned in as Microsoft Word documents. If you do not own Microsoft Word 2007 or a later version, you can use a system such as Google Docs that converts to Word documents FREE.
Suggested Credit: One-third (⅓) semester Creative Writing or English. Add other writing or literature courses for a full semester credit.
How this course fits with your other High School Writing Excellence courses...
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ACADEMIC WRITING | |||
| X-5 Punctuation/Grammar II | COLL-1 Mastering College Essay Writing | ||
| ADVANCED FICTION WRITING & LITERARY FORM | |||
| X-9 Hero's Journey, Part 1 | X-10 Hero's Journey, Part 2 | ||
| X-11 Screenwriting, Part 1 | X-12 Screenwriting, Part 2 | ||
| 11-6 Authoring a Book, Part 1 | 11-8 Authoring a Book, Part 2 | ||
| 11-7 Writing the Short Story | X-19 SF/Fantasy Short Story | ||
| X-15 Fiction Writing Workshop | X-16 Screenwriting Workshop | ||
| CREATIVE WRITING: EXPRESSIVE & POETIC FORMS | |||
| X-17 Comedy Writing, Part 1 | X-18 Comedy Writing, Part 2 | ||
| X-13 Intro to Poetry | X-14 Poetry: Joining the Great Tradition | ||
| BUSINESS WRITING | |||
| 11-9 Pro Business Writing Essentials | 11-10 Foundations of Journalism | ||
** The Authoring a Book Part 2 course follows Part 1 and is not required; however, those who are serious about submitting their work to an agent or publisher will highly benefit from Part 2, as the workshop-style course allows you to create submission-ready query materials. If this is you, sign up for both courses.
Your Instructor
LIVE, INTERACTIVE COURSES
This course is occasionally taught in a LIVE, in-person format. Check the LIVE Course Catalog to find out if a LIVE course is offered in your upcoming semester. The LIVE course is taught by Ms. Robin Conley, MFA.
RECORDED, INDEPENDENT-LEARNING COURSE
When you sign up for Unlimited Access and take this recorded course, your instructor is the designer and Director of Aquinas Writing Advantage, Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA (aka author EB Conroy/Erin Brown Conroy).
Two Sign Up Options (Choose One)
1. UNLIMITED ACCESS: RECORDED, INDEPENDENT-LEARNING COURSE
When you take the Recorded course, you will independently view the recorded video lesson and complete the coursework in the learning management system. The homework’s weekly quizzes are graded automatically by the computer for instant feedback, and parents grade all other work. There is an estimated one to three hours of homework/coursework per week outside of watching the weekly video lecture.
When you get “Unlimited Access,” you get 24/7 access to ALL of the writing courses — AND access to 400+ middle and high school courses, in all subject areas, for only $34.97 a month.
2. UNLIMITED ACCESS WITH INSTRUCTOR ACCESS GRADING SERVICES
Instructor Access is an optional service, for an additional fee, that accompanies Unlimited Access. When you sign up for one-on-one tutoring with Instructor Access, in addition to the weekly quizzes that are graded automatically by the computer for instant feedback, the Instructor Access instructor grades the work, gives feedback for improvement, and is available during the week for one-on-one help via email. There is an estimated one to three hours per week for homework for your student outside of watching the video lecture. If you’d like Instructor Access, once you sign up for Unlimited Access, you’ll receive email instructions on how to sign up.
When you get “Unlimited Access,” you get 24/7 access to ALL of the writing courses — AND access to 400+ middle and high school courses, in all subject areas, for only $34.97 a month.
Specific Course FAQs
Is this course required?
This course is a Writing Excellence course and is an “above and beyond” course from the FOUNDATIONS-DEVELOPMENT-ADVANCED series of 9-12th grade courses. If you’re thinking that you may want to be a published author, then this course is for you.
Who should take the Authoring a Book courses?
For creatives who dream of being a published children’s book author, middle grade author, young adult author, or novel writer of any kind, these courses are essential — a lifeline to professional foundations and secrets to success. Taught by authors with terminal degrees in Creative Writing/Genre Fiction, this course is designed especially for the student who wants to pursue any part of the creative storytelling industry. Students who have taken this course are now published authors.
Can I take another writing course at the same time?
Yes! With the shorter, single-area courses here at Aquinas Writing Advantage, many students take two separate writing courses during a semester.
Courses that “fit well” with this course include the foundational fiction courses, advanced fiction courses (The Hero’s Journey, Screenwriting, Comedy Writing, and Poetry), the High School Punctuation and Grammar 2 course (to ensure strong punctuation and grammar skills), Journalism, and Business Writing. Students planning on moving directly to a career or vocational training will benefit from the Business Writing course. This course can also be taken with any foundational high school course beyond the 9-Series courses.
Is this course considered an English, Writing, or Literature Analysis course?
This course is considered an advanced English and Writing course.
