Free Writing Workshops
Join Muse & Margins for free online writing workshops on storytelling, character development, editing, publishing, and book marketing. Each hands-on session focuses on two topics, includes practical activities, and lasts 90 minutes or less. Writers at every stage are welcome, whether you’re working toward independent or traditional publication.
Explore Our Workshops
Browse our workshop topics below. Dates are announced one workshop at a time. Want to hear when a favorite is scheduled? Use the Notify Me button above to select your interests.
Revising Your Blurb
Replace vague blurb language and balance clear information with unanswered possibilities.
Replacing Vague Language With Specific Appeal
Controlling Information to Preserve Curiosity
Adapting Copy for Different Uses
Adapt your book’s appeal into promotional messages suited to different occasions and spaces.
Choosing the Message for the Occasion
Rewriting for the Space and Audience
Writing Hooks and Taglines
Distill your book’s appeal into promotional hooks and concise, memorable taglines.
Creating a Compelling Promotional Hook
Distilling the Book’s Appeal Into a Short Tagline
Finding Where Your Story Begins
Choose an opening situation that starts the story without unnecessary delay.
Choosing the Opening Situation
Distinguishing Necessary Setup From Delayed Storytelling
Making the Most of Your Book Excerpts
Select compelling excerpts and prepare them to work for readers outside the book’s context.
Selecting Passages That Work Out of Context
Preparing Excerpts for Promotion
Writing the First Page
Write a first page that creates interest and grounds readers in the immediate situation.
Creating a Reason to Keep Reading
Grounding Readers in Character and Immediate Circumstances