Courses

Thank you sooo much for this class!!! You’ve provided me with answers to questions I did not even know I needed to ask. I feel what I learned from you on the very fist module was worth the price of the entirety of the course. –Marcella Moy

My book has sat on a shelf for literally years. Tanja has given me the support, confidence and, especially, the information I need to get it out into the world. From deciding how I want to publish to estimates to networking with professionals in the publishing world, the course has helped incredibly! –Jennifer Hinton

I think you created this directly for me. I’ve been vacillating on my book for months … sucking up all my energy. This helped me be brave and just decide already! – W.K.

I give Tanja my highest recommendation … She is one of the few people I have hired solely on the strength of her writing and course design, before even meeting her. I have yet to question my decision, for Tanja is easily the standout instructor in our department: her evaluations are consistently high and her students perform well in their courses at the higher levels of the curriculum. I wish I had four more Tanjas to replace some of the other instructors I have on staff. — Jake Adam York, Creative Writing Chair, University of Colorado Denver (deceased) 

Jumpstart Your Book Virtual Retreat

  • Sat, Jan. 11, 2020
  • 10am-1pm MT/ 11am-2pm CT
  • $99

A 3-hour live, online retreat you can access anywhere. During our time together, you’ll get crystal clear on why you’re writing your book, who it’s for, and what your next steps are. We’ll also nail down your book’s main themes and begin your outline.

(Psst: The answers to those first two questions drive everything. Knowing your book’s specific audience and goal will save you tons of time and money, as well as lots of revisions. Skip this and you’re setting yourself up for lots of frustration and rewrites.)

You’ll leave this 3-hour workshop with a roadmap for your book, as well as a clear set of next steps.

Click here for more information and to register. We meet on Zoom.

Memoir Mastery: How to Write a Compelling Memoir

In this comprehensive 8-week course, you’ll go from feeling alone, confused and overwhelmed to feeling excited and supported in the power of your story, clear in its scope, and confident in the craft and technique of creating a compelling memoir.

With 6 online modules, 3 live coaching calls and 2 group writing sessions, you’ll get plenty of support and accountability as well as laser-focused coaching within a wonderfully supportive community. You’ll leave this course with a strong foundation for your memoir as well as a clear set of next steps.

The 6 online modules address the craft and technique of writing compelling memoir and include weekly mindset tips. Each module is broken into bite-sized steps, with downloadable video trainings and supporting PDFs accessible to you for the lifetime of the course.

  • Module 1: Building a Strong Foundation for Your Memoir 
  • Module 2: Identifying the Building Blocks of Your Story
  • Module 3: Grounding Your Story in Place and Time
  • Module 4: Shaping Your Story
  • Module 5: Magnifying Your Story
  • Module 6: Bringing Your Story to Life

The course includes 2 “On Ramp” Bonuses to get you off on the right foot:

  • How to Get Your (Mindset) Game On!
  • How to Create a Writing Schedule that Works for You

as well as 4 “Lift-Off” Bonus interviews jam-packed with expert advice to help you navigate next steps:

  • On Writing Your Memoir with Gail Storey
  • What You Need to Know Before Submitting Your Manuscript with Melanie Mulhall
  • Promoting Your Memoir with Nancy Saltzman
  • What Your Book Reviewer Wants You to Know with Patti Thorn

Click here for more information as well as to register

Reboot Your Memoir Virtual Workshop

  • Sat. Feb 1, 2020
  • 10am-3pm MT/ 11-4pm CT
  • $149

A live, day-long virtual workshop.

Writing your memoir can be an especially rewarding journey. At times, it can also be quite challenging. On bad days, it can feel like you’re shooting at a moving target. There’s a reason so many memoirists get stuck, particularly once the initial excitement has worn off and we’re stuck in the mucky middle of writing a book.

In this live, day-long workshop, we’ll cover solid techniques for rebooting your memoir. We’ll reassess your current roadmap, define what’s working and clarify what needs tweaking. We’ll also identify the saboteurs that come with writing memoir, help you create a safe container for your writing and set you up for success.

Please note: This is a working class interspersed with plenty of teaching and support. As such, please plan on printing out your materials (whether you have 25 pages or 200) and bringing them to our workshop.

Click here to register. We’ll meet on Zoom. Full details upon registration.

How to Get Your Book into the World

Ready to get your book into the world, but aren’t sure what to do or where to start? In today’s rapidly-changing world, it can be tricky to figure out whether to pursue traditional publishing or publish it yourself, much less promote your book. Maybe you’re wondering whether self-publishing still carries a stigma. And what the heck are you supposed to do first—write your book, contact publishers, create a website, start blogging? What?

I’ll walk you through the exact steps it takes to publish your book with a traditional publisher or publish it yourself, then we’ll figure out which one is right for you. And I’ll show you how to successfully promote your book, no matter which path you choose.

In this clear, easy-to-follow 5-week online course, we’ll identify your goals for your book and create your own personalized road map to get your book published. You’ll leave this course with a clear command of the steps involved, as well as a simple, straightforward plan for moving forward.

  • Module 1: Choosing Your Book’s Most Powerful Path
  • Module 2: Selling Your Book to a Traditional Publisher
  • Module 3: The Power of Self-Publishing
  • Module 4: Getting Off on the Right Foot: The Importance of Platform (and How to Start Growing Yours Today) 
  • Module 5: Pulling it all Together: Planning for Success

There are also 4 bonus interviews with the following fabulous teachers covering topics that folks told me were most important to them:

  • Book Promotion and Marketing with Beth Hayden
  • Ghostwriting with Amy Anderson
  • Fear, Writing and Self-Care with Jen Louden
  • Children’s Books with Janet Stevens

Click here for more information and to register.

Create a writing schedule that works for you