David Gerrold
The Write Stuff Seminar, taught by David Gerrold [Hugo, Nebula, Edgar, Heinlein, &c] is a regular seminar not on the mechanics of writing, but on the art of being a writer. I’ve been a part of the core group since it started, and the seminar has changed my writing practices drastically, and (I hope) for the better. The simple mechanics of writing are a part of the course – you can’t write effectively if you can’t express yourself clearly – but the center of the seminar is a focus on plot, character, structure, and how they interconnect to produce stories that are worth reading. The course has developed tropes and tricks, not for how to do mechanical tricks (like so many other courses), but in how to open your eyes and your mind to storytelling as a reflection of what it means to be a person, and how that can be best expressed through deeper and more relatable characters and plots.
– Carl D
Sandra Tayler
Sandra Tayler is a force to be reckoned with. She has run the business end of Schlock Mercenary from the beginning, as well as being an editor and writer in her own right. If you want to learn from experience, Sandra has it in spades!
– Jessica L
Sandra Taylor is a thriving professional in the world of independent artists and creators. Over the years, she has had to wear many hats in support of her art as well as the art of Howard Taylor. Fortunately, she is also an excellent teacher, and brings to the podium the weight and nuance of her multifaceted career. As a teacher, she is able to break down the business of writing, crowdfunding, networking, and several other areas of interest to writers and artists, both experienced and just beginning. By way of her experience, she provides lessons that are both practical and encouraging.
– Brian B.
There are only a few people that I want to attend their class any time they teach on a subject and Sandra is one of those people. I’ve been in her class on creative habits three different times and seen its evolution and have gotten something more out of it every time. As an instructor, she is generous, thoughtful, and encouraging.
– Jayrod G.
C.M. Adler
Christine is a masterful teacher, and her background makes her an ideal resource for talking about writing fight scenes and what does and does not work. I can’t recommend her highly enough!
Not only is she a black belt and martial artist, but Christine Nielson is a masterful instructor as well. She’ll teach you how to block weak action, attack scenes with an effective, precise approach, and show you methods that leave your readers begging for more.
-Troy L
Gary Jackson
With humor and the delight of a serious collector, Gary Jackson will have you exploring your heroes that highlight the “human” part of superhumans by highlighting the mess of human existence. Our heroes may be able to fly, may never bleed, may control the weather, or summon deep magic upon their whim, but humans can grow, learn, soothe, grieve, and love. Jackson teaches how to balance both sides of a hero’s journey.
– Vincent C
Michael Gallowglas
I’ve taken multiple workshops with Gallowglas. His classes catapulted my creative skills and critical thinking to the professional circuit. His teaching has been invaluable, and I’m happy to say that it’s what launched my writing career forward. I sold multiple pieces I wrote while in the classes and many after. I highly recommend his classes if you want to both challenge yourself and push your writing to the next level. Gallowglas’s insight advanced my fiction and gave me the tools and skills to keep writing and selling memorable stories.
-Emily F.
It only took attending one Gallowclass to see Michael had a deep understanding of writing and an even deeper passion for sharing his knowledge. Finding a good writer who is an even better teacher, guide and mentor is invaluable. His reading and writing exercises are well planned out and coordinated, but the individual attention and feedback are the true reasons I grew and learned more with him over months than I did over years of watching videos and reading books.
-Justin J