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Novel Writing Intensive Retreat

with critically acclaimed authors Steven James and Robert Dugoni

THE 2023 EVENT IS FULL.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BEING ADDED TO T
HE CONTACT LIST, PLEASE EMAIL THE CONFERENCE DIRECTOR, PAM JOHNSON, AT PAMTHEEDITOR@YAHOO.COM.

NEWSSTEVEN JAMES IS OFFERING THE FICTION INTENSIVE
IN SEPTEMBER 2023.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE SITE:  www.fictionintensive.com

About

/ about

​If you're ready for intensive instruction to improve your writing, and if you're serious about taking your manuscript to the next level, award-winning novelists Steven James and Robert Dugoni invite you to join them for a time of in-depth teaching, growth, and encouragement.

/ Your instructors

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STEVEN JAMES

Steven James is the critically-acclaimed author of seventeen novels. He is a contributing editor to Writer’s Digest and the author of the groundbreaking book Story Trumps Structure as well as the guidebook used by thousands of novelists, Troubleshooting Your Novel—both from Writer’s Digest Books.

He has received wide critical acclaim for his work, including five Storytelling World Honor awards, three Publishers Weekly starred reviews, and four Christy Awards for best suspense.

Steven earned a Master’s Degree in Storytelling from ETSU in 1997 and is an active member of International Thriller Writers and the International Association of Crime Writers. He has taught writing and storytelling principles around the world and is a regular keynote speaker and workshop teacher at premier writing conferences and retreats nationwide.


In 2010, Steven developed the Novel Writing Intensive Retreats to provide a concentrated time of study and feedback for fiction writers of all levels. 

He lives in Tennessee in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. When he's not writing or speaking, he's trail running, playing basketball, or downing mugs of gourmet coffee. 

Visit his website at https://www.stevenjames.net

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ROBERT DUGONI

Robert Dugoni is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series, which has sold more than 8 million books worldwide. 

 

Along with the Charles Jenkins espionage series and the David Sloane legal thriller series, Robert is the author of several stand-alone novels including The 7th Canon, Damage Control, and The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, a literary novel that was named Suspense Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year. His narration of Sam Hell won an AudioFile Earphones Award. Robert's 2004 book The Cyanide Canary was named a Washington PostBest Book of the Year. Several of his novels have also been optioned for movies and television series. 

 

Robert is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award for Best Novel Set in the Pacific Northwest. 

 

He is also a two-time finalist for the International Thriller Award, the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, the Silver Falchion Award for mystery, and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award.

Robert's books have been translated into more than thirty languages. 

Visit his website at https://www.robertdugonibooks.com

Instructors

4

/

DAYS

14+

HOURS OF INSTRUCTION

/

50

PAGE EVALUATION

NWI 2022

/ DATES

Group 1: November 2 - 5, 2023
Group 2 : November 7 - 10, 2023 

/ LODGING

A "mansion" in Kissimmee, Florida
more details after you register 

/ TENtative schedule

day 1

4-5:15pm: Check-in
5:30: Introductions
6:00: Dinner
6:45: Orientation 
7:15: Seminar 1 
8:30: TBD

day 2

7:30-8:15: Breakfast
8:30: Seminar 2 
9:45: Critique & Discussion Session 1
11:00: Seminar 3 
12:00: Lunch/personal Time
1:00: One-on-ones
1:45:  Critique & Discussion Session 2
3:00: Seminar 4 
4:15: Critique & Discussion Session 3
5:30: Dinner
6:45: Critique & Discussion Session 4
8:00: TBD

day 3

7:30-8:15: Breakfast
8:30: Critique & Discussion Session 5
9:45: Seminar 5
11:00: Critique & Discussion Session 6
12:00: Lunch/personal time
2:00: One-on-ones

4:15: Seminar 6 
5:30: Dinner
6:30: Seminar 7
7:30: Q&A/book table

8:30: TBD

day 4

8:00: Breakfast and awards
9:00: Seminar 8 
10:00: Closing remarks/goodbyes
10:30: Pack and check out

/ TESTIMONIALS

"Intensive is not a strong enough word for how deep this one goes. Two of our best contemporary novelists cover the landscape of the craft and give the most personal attention possible to this small group experience. Best investment I’ve made so far in my writing life."

— Patricia Bowen, GA

TESTIMONIALS
  • Who can sign up?
    Aspiring or published novelists and short-story writers of any level are invited to register.
  • What type of manuscripts are accepted?
    All genres of fiction except what we would consider erotica.
  • How many spots are available?
    There are only 12 spots available for each group, so register soon. There will be a waiting list in case someone cancels.
  • How much does it cost?
    The retreat fee is $2250, payable by check or money order. We also accept Venmo and PayPal, but you will need to reimburse us for any service fees. The cost includes the registration deposit, all seminars, a 50-page critique of your manuscript, lodging (at a "mansion" with a swimming pool!), six or seven meals (we may eat out once or twice), refreshments, handouts, and more. It does NOT include any travel expenses or our optional Day at Disney (or Universal).
  • What does the price include?
    - Professional critique of up to 50 pages of your manuscript - 8 hours of classroom instruction - 6 hours of interactive teaching and discussion using manuscript evaluations - Private consultation time with Steven James or Robert Dugoni - Extensive seminar notes, writing activities, and self-editing tips - Copies of all participants' submissions with detailed critique notes - 100-point Novel Writing Checklist - Lodging for three nights - 6-8 meals (we may go out for a couple meals, TBD) - Refreshments
  • How do I register?
    Contact Pam Johnson at pamtheeditor@yahoo.com and she will email you a registration form (include which dates you want to attend), which contains all pertinent information about the conference. Fill out the form and return it to her via email ASAP to hold your spot. The non-refundable $500 registration deposit is due within a week of registering. The mailing address to send the deposit is on the registration form. (Or you may pay via PayPal or Venmo, but you will need to refund us any service fees.)
  • What is the venue and lodging?
    The retreat, including all seminars and lodging, will be at a large house (mansion) in Kissimmee, Florida. Each attendee will have a private room with a private bath. The kitchen and living space will be shared with other attendees and the NWI staff.
  • I still have questions. Whom should I contact?
    The conference director is Pam Johnson and her email is pamtheeditor@yahoo.com. She will be able to answer any conference-related questions you might have.
REGISTRATION
ALUMNI CONFERENCE
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