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Draft done. Rejection received. Now what? This class gives you a step-by-step revision toolkit to turn “almost” into “publishable.”
This course digs deep into the art of revision, pinpointing the most common reasons stories get turned down—and how to fix them. You’ll learn a clear, repeatable process to strengthen structure, sharpen voice, and position your work for an editor’s “yes.”
➤What You’ll Learn
The Cover Letter: Craft a crisp, professional note that frames your story and makes a strong first impression.
Opening Lines that Sing: Build momentum from sentence one with tone, image, and tension that pull readers in.
Characterization that Hooks: Develop active, specific characters whose desires drive the narrative forward.
Theme: Highlight your story’s purpose without heavy-handedness.
Endings that Linger: Deliver resonance and closure that stays with the reader.
Dialogue: Not every line needs to sound like everyday speech—learn to craft dialogue that may not be strictly realistic, but always feels alive. We’ll focus on how conversation can move the plot, deepen tension, and reveal character.
Prose that Shines: Polish your sentences on the word-by-word level. You’ll practice refining rhythm, diction, and imagery so that your language elevates the story rather than weighing it down.
Structure that Holds: Step back for a macro edit that clarifies pacing and focus. We’ll examine when to linger in fully developed scenes and when summary serves best, ensuring the story carries momentum without losing depth.
Submission Strategies: Target the right markets to maximize your odds of acceptance.
➤ Students will leave with:
A thematic outline that foregrounds their story’s purpose.
A polished opening line that hooks the reader.
An ending that resonates and lingers.
A submission-ready cover letter.
A targeted list of magazines aligned to their goals.
A copy of the course slide deck for future reference.
Additional info
This workshop will be recorded for the convenience of those unable to attend live. The recorded session will be emailed to participants the following day.
About the Instructor
Michael is a fiction editor at The Adroit Journal. In the past year his fiction has appeared in The Baffler, Maudlin House, Toronto Journal, X-Ray and many more.