Kick Off Your Novel!

Fall is a GREAT time to start a new writing project. The weather is cooling down, routines are back in place, and the new season brings with it a burst of creativity. Join us in Novel Kickoff, a free virtual event running September 18-22 for anyone who wants to write (or is currently writing) a novel. Hear from our featured expert guests, and come away with tips and inspiration for your next novel.

Join us for Novel Kickoff!

Register now!

Featured Guests

  • Michael La Ronn

    Michael La Ronn (also known as M.L. Ronn) has published over 90 science fiction and fantasy books and self-help books for writers. He built a writing career publishing 10-12 books per year while raising a family, working a full-time job, and even attending law school classes in the evenings.

  • Amy L. Bernstein

    Amy is an award-winning journalist, author, speechwriter, playwright, and certified nonfiction book coach. She teaches workshops on various aspects of the craft of writing and is a frequent guest on podcasts to discuss writing, publishing, and creativity.

  • Margaret McNellis

    Margaret writes historical fiction and historical fantasy, and coaches the same genres (as well as fantasy, alternate historical fiction, and retellings). She holds a BA in art history, an MA in English & creative writing, and an MFA in fiction. Margaret has published two novels.

  • Stuart Wakefield

    Stuart is an Author Accelerator certified book coach and writer. With 26 years in theatre, broadcast media, and coaching under his belt, he has have a visceral understanding of what makes stories work. He has an MA (Distinction) in Professional Writing, and he's currently studying a second MA degree in Writing for Script & Screen.

  • Kat Caldwell

    Kat is a fiction writer, an Author Accelerator certified book coach and hostess of the Pencils & Lipstick podcast. Her passion is to encourage writers and help them hone their storytelling skills.

  • Rona Gofstein

    Rona is a published author and an Author Accelerator certified fiction book coach. She has spoken on writing craft and business across the country and is the past president of the New Hampshire RWA chapter and Broad Universe.

  • Dani Abernathy

    Dani Abernathy is an Enneagram teacher and Author Accelerator certified book coach who helps people write the stories they need to tell so their readers can feel seen and can see others. She believes that stories can change the world, one reader at a time, and are one of our most powerful tools for having less war and more love.

  • Sharon Skinner

    Sharon Skinner holds an MA in Creative Writing and is an Author, Certified Book Coach, and Freelance Editor, who helps writers weave their words into stories that shine. Her body of work includes nine published novels, two collections of short stories and poetry, two picture books, and other assorted writings.

  • Susan DeFreitas

    An American of Guyanese descent, Susan is an author, editor, and book coach. Her work has been featured in publications such as the Writer’s Chronicle, LitHub, the Huffington Post, the Utne Reader, Story, Daily Science Fiction, and Oregon Humanities.

  • Sandra Postma

    Sandra Postma is a former journalist who is now a speculative fiction writer and certified book coach. As a woman with multiple chronic illnesses herself, she is committed to creating a safe space and community for writers with an illness or disability.

  • Monica Cox

    Monica Cox is a writer and book coach who helps writers reach their creative goals with encouragement, feedback, and customized instruction. She is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association, North Carolina Writer's Network, and certified in book coaching through Author Accelerator.

  • Stephen Woodfin

    Stephen Woodfin, the author of twelve legal fiction novels, has practiced law since 1985. Kirkus Reviews named his novel The Warrior with Alzheimer's to its Best Books of the Year list.

  • Mia Manansala

    Mia is the author of the multi-award-winning Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series and a certified book coach. A lover of all things geeky, Mia spends her days procrasti-baking, playing JRPGs and dating sims, reading cozy mysteries and diverse romance, and cuddling her dogs Gumiho and Max Power.

  • Trisha Jenn Loehr

    Trisha Jenn Loehr is a non-profit communications professional and freelance developmental editor turned romance writer and Author Accelerator certified book coach for women romance writers. She helps writers not feel guilt or shame for writing books full of tropes and kisses and happily ever afters.

  • Deborah Lucas

    Deborah is an author, an artist, and a lover of horses. As an Author Accelerator certified book coach, she works with women writing memoir and women’s fiction by helping them find their voice and finish their book. She works on her memoir and two novels with a rescued cat on her lap and a rescued German Shepherd at her feet, surrounded by pastures for her two rescued horses and hayfields she’s helped harvest.

  • Christy Yaros

    Christy Yaros is a certified book coach and story editor, working with serious middle grade and young adult writers who want to create stories that engage, encourage, and empower young people. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons University, is a Co-Assistant Regional Advisor for SCBWI New England, and the cohost of the Coaching KidLit Podcast.

  • Sara Gentry

    Sara is a math Ph.D. turned writer and Author Accelerator certified book coach. She uses her problem-solving skills to help writers find the solutions they need to write books they love. Sara is the host of Novel Kickoff.

Register now!

Novel Kickoff Basics

Novel Kickoff is for writers who are writing a novel for any age audience.

Whether you are writing for adults, young adults, or middle grade kids, as long as you are writing a novel, this event is for you! The featured guests have a variety of backgrounds across age category and genre, and you’ll find something here to speak to your writing market, as long as you’re writing in the novel format.

Though this event is free, you need to register to enjoy the content. (Don’t worry - there will be no upsell when you register!)

During the week of September 18-22, you’ll receive a daily email with links to videos with our featured guests. These videos will be pre-recorded, so you can watch them at a time convenient for you! Replays will be available through September 30.

Join us for our live Tailgating parties!

During the week of the event, we’ll have live Zoom chats during which you can ask questions and connect with guests and other writers. These live sessions will not be recorded, and space may be limited. Stay tuned for scheduling information.

Not sure if September 18-22 will work for you?

Videos will be available through September 30.

Schedule

During the week of September 18-22, registrants will receive an email every morning with links to videos of interviews with our guest experts. Watch the videos on your own time! All the sessions are fabulous, but of course you may prioritize the ones that best fit your situation. Each day, you’ll also have the option to attend the live Zoom “Tailgating Party” sessions hosted by Sara and our featured guests.

Details for each day will be released soon!

Register now!