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.
Giving Useful Critique
Give evidence-based critique that helps the writer understand and address the reader’s experience.
Describing the Reader Experience With Specific Evidence
Offering Actionable Feedback Without Taking Over the Story
Constructing a Mystery
Build a mystery investigation with clues and misdirection readers can follow.
Building the Investigation
Managing Clues and Misdirection
Making Decisions About Feedback
Identify the problem behind feedback and test changes against your story’s intentions.
Finding the Problem Behind the Feedback
Testing Revisions Against Your Intentions
Building a Thriller
Create an escalating threat and a sense of urgency that narrows the protagonist’s options.
Designing an Escalating Threat
Applying Urgency Through Deadlines and Narrowing Options
Structuring a Romance
Develop a romance through consequential relationship turns and a satisfying romantic resolution.
Developing the Relationship’s Major Turning Points
Delivering a Satisfying Romantic Resolution
Writing Horror
Develop dread and intensify fear through vulnerability and exposure.
Establishing Dread
Escalating Fear Through Exposure and Vulnerability