online workshops

So I wanted a postcard to put on con giveaway tables advertising my classes because I’m always trying to scare up new students. I know that once they take one class, they’re very likely to take more from me, which really pleases me, but the trick is getting them into that first one.

I had a Vistaprint coupon, so I ended up paying around $40 for 1000 of these. I looked it over pretty thoroughly and made Wayne do the same, but now that I’ve ordered them I’m sure at least one typo will show up. Still, this will give me something I can put out as well as something I can give people when they ask about my classes. Note that I’ve been very 21st century and even included a QR code. I used a Bitly link for that so I’ll be able to track how many people actually use that code (the QR code was Mark’s idea, the bitly URL Wayne’s – see what smart fellows I hang around with?)

One of the things Codex does that I intend to make use of is mailing each other postcards to stick out at cons. I’ve distributed my share, so I’ll try to figure out a couple of conventions that I’m not attending next year where I think they might do well, and then find people attending those who are willing to put something on the giveaway table for me.

My children’s story is up on the site of the Animism TV show, which had asked me to write something, and which ended up being a bit of a downer as far as the happiness of the main character is concerned.

In news about my writing classes, I’m pushing the start back a week in order to get a few more students signed up. For details, click on “Upcoming Classes” up above!

If you're interested in the writing F&SF, flash fiction, or editing class – there are some slots still open (only 2 in F&SF).

http://www.kittywumpus.net/blog/2012/01/04/online-classes-and-workshops-for-2012/

Several people have been asking if I’d offer an online workshop and I’ve been thinking about how best to do that. So here goes. Please spread the word of this however you can. If I don’t get at least 3 students for a workshop, I’ll cancel it.

Dates:
Workshop 1 — Wednesday evenings, 8 pm-10 pm PST, December 14, 2011-January 18, 2012
Workshop 2 — Saturday mornings 9:30 AM-11:30 AM PST, December 17-January 28, 2012 (I have to miss the 21st due to a convention).

Format: I’m going to offer two sessions, one on a weekday evening and the other on Saturday mornings, because I know schedules vary. The class will run six weeks, with a two hour session each time. I would like to schedule workshop time into that, where you’ll get a chance to read and critique each other’s stories, as well as a chance to hear me critique them, so starting with the second session, part of the class will be devoted to that (no more than 50%, tops). I’ll be doing the class as a Google Hangout, so we’ll all be chatting face to face, which means there is a limit of 9 students per class. There will be an optional make-up session for both workshops for people who had to miss a class or two along the line the week after the class ends.