Heritage Writers Guild hosts writing workshop for middle grade, young adult stories
The Independent
We know July is hot, but it’s not as hot as the great writing workshop planned for Saturday, July 11, sponsored by Heritage Writers Guild, a chapter of the League of Utah Writers. The focus of this half-day workshop being held at Ricardo’s Restaurant in St. George is writing stories for young readers, from middle grade to young adult. If you’ve thought of writing a story for your children or grandchildren, or if you already have a book you’re trying to market and want to practice your pitch, this workshop should offer good tips.
“One of the most exciting, challenging, fulfilling, and fun types of writing you can do is writing for young people,” said workshop organizer Marilyn Richardson.
The Heritage Writers Guild writing workshop will feature sessions on young adult and middle grade writing, book covers, and choosing books for different ages. Keynote speaker Shallee McArthur, of St. George, will share her writing journey. McArthur originally wanted to be a scientist until she discovered she liked her science best in fictional form. She has a BA in English literature and creative writing from BYU. Skyhorse/Sky Pony released her first novel, “The Unhappening of Genesis Lee,” a YA sci-fi novel, last fall. Find her online at www.shalleemcarthur.com. Another local author, Elliah A. Terry, has been writing for 11 years and will talk about how she found an agent and what happens next. For more information on Terry, visit www.theitsybitsywriter.blogspot.com. Both speakers will share their writing and their process.
Perhaps you already have a middle grade or young adult book that you are attempting to market to agents, editors, or publishers. If that’s the case, participants at the Heritage Writers Guild writing workshop will also have an opportunity to “practice your pitch.” During this session, authors will have 90 seconds to pitch their story idea to fellow writers.
“I heard about this over the radio and thought it might be fun,” Richardson said.
Creating a short synopsis is hard to do, but Richardson believes this activity will help you develop you skills. She advises authors to write down what they plan to say and practice beforehand. Any genre is acceptable.
To top it all off, a book table will be available for all authors who have printed copies of their books for sale. Again, all ages and genres are welcome.
The Heritage Writers Guild workshop will take place July 11 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Ricardo’s Restaurant is located at 1110 S. Bluff St. in St. George. Registration fees are $15 for Guild members, $10 for students with ID, and $25 for nonmembers and are due by July 8. You can also register at the actual event; however, $5 will be added to the aforementioned fees. Checks should be made out to Heritage Writers Guild and mailed to B. Anderson, 2604 S 3120 E, St. George, UT 84790. If you have any questions, contact Marilyn Richardson at [email protected] or (435) 674-9792.
Ed. note: This article also appears in the July print edition of The Independent; however, changes to the keynote speaker and the ability for attendees to register the day of the event were brought to our attention after the print edition was created.
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