Instructor: Chris Terry

Winter 2024 – Summer 2024

This dynamic and rigorous Master Class in Novel Writing is designed for students who are serious about revising and polishing their novels and getting published. The 9-month, 30-week online course allows for intensely individual instruction, peer critiques from a community of like-minded, talented writers, and a focus on process and results.

Features and Benefits:

• 30 weeks of master-level instruction and mentoring
• Limited to 8 students
• Consideration of a novel excerpt by a literary agent at the completion of the course

The 2024 Winter – Summer Master Class in Novel Writing will be taught by Chris L. Terry, MFA, author of Black Card and Zero Fade.

“This class was more than I’d hoped for, and I’m not sure it could have been achieved with anyone other than Chris. He’s the most active listener I’ve met, and he was able to ask questions that prompted me to create a universe for my novel in ways that I’d never thought of. I am immensely grateful to have found this class but more specifically, this instructor.” —Writers’ Program student

“Chris L. Terry provides a supportive, inspiring environment, and he uses extremely practical and valuable tools that apply directly to the subject.” —Writers’ Program student

“This class targeted the specific need to shape work that could be published. His assignments gave me practical ways to improve my writing immediately.” —Writers’ Program student

“Chris L. Terry is my favorite writing instructor. He is so encouraging and engages us in stimulating discussions. He gives thoughtful notes for submissions and is very motivating.” —Writers’ Program student

30 weeks online
Course Dates: January 10 – September 17, 2024

No meetings March 20 – April 9, 2024; June19 – July 9, 2024. Live meet ups on Zoom will be announced for guest speakers and conferences.

Enrollment in this 9-month workshop is by submission only. You must have a complete first draft of a complete novel in order to be considered. Submission materials and application fees must be received by 9 am (PST), December 11, 2023 in order to be considered.

Apply Now! https://www.uclaextension.edu/writing-journalism/creative-writing/course/master-class-novel-writing-writing-x-4116

Registration fee: $3,860 payable upon acceptance.

All submissions must include the following materials (Word Document or PDF):

1. One-page personal statement that includes your writing background, previous creative writing courses taken
2. A two-page synopsis of your novel-in-progress
3. The completed first draft of your novel. (Note: participants in this master class work only on the novel submitted for admission. No exceptions. Each page should be numbered, typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, and double spaced with 1-inch margins.)

To apply, click “add to cart” and proceed with check-out. You will not be charged at the time of application. The full course fee will be due in its entirety should you choose to enroll based on your acceptance into the course.

Apply Now! https://www.uclaextension.edu/writing-journalism/creative-writing/course/master-class-novel-writing-writing-x-4116

For more information, please contact Writers’ Program at writers@uclaextension.edu or (310) 825-9415.

Instructor Monica Holloway

Winter 2023 – Summer 2023

Designed for writers serious about revising their draft memoirs and personal essay collections into polished works for publication, this 30-week course allows for in-depth critiques from a community of nonfiction writers, personalized guidance, and ongoing, one-on-one mentoring from a professional writer.

Features and Benefits:

• 30 weeks of master-level instruction and mentoring
• Limited to 8 students
• Consideration of a book excerpt by a literary agent at the completion of the course

The 2023 Master Class in Creative Nonfiction Writing will be taught by Monica Holloway, author of the critically-acclaimed memoirs, Driving with Dead People and Cowboy & Wills. Ms. Holloway is actively involved in the work of the National Center for Family Literacy and Autism Speaks and has participated in several events with the Special Needs Network.

30 weeks online
Remote Learning: Meeting weekly on Zoom
January 10, 2023 – August 29, 2023

Tuesdays, 5pm – 8pm PT(No meetings March 28; June 20, 27; & July 4 2023)

Enrollment in this 9-month workshop is by submission only. You must have a complete first draft of a complete memoir manuscript or collection of essays in order to be considered. Submission materials and application fees must be received by 9 am (PT), December 12, 2022 in order to be considered.

Apply now!

To apply, click “add to cart” and proceed with check-out. You will only be charged the $10 application fee at this time. The full course fee will be due in its entirety should you choose to enroll based on your acceptance into the course.

Registration fee: $3,860 payable upon acceptance.

All submissions must include the following materials (Word Document or PDF):

1. One-page personal statement that includes your writing background, previous creative writing courses taken
2. A two-page synopsis of your work-in-progress
3. The completed first draft of your manuscript. (Note: participants in this master class work only on the project submitted for admission. No exceptions. Each page should be numbered, typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, and double spaced with 1-inch margins.)

For more information, please contact Writers’ Program at writers@uclaextension.edu or (310) 825-9415.

Instructor: Donald Martin

2024

In this highly intensive, focused, and collaborative environment with a cohort of select students, you start with a new feature film story concept and develop it into a dynamic, compelling, market-ready screenplay in 9 months.  You learn how to articulate a personal vision while balancing the intuitive with the technical. Throughout the process, your originality is encouraged as you’re guided to create complex characterizations, a powerful dynamic structure, thematic subtext, and tell your story visually. The workshop allows for in-depth analysis of each participant’s work, along with brain-storming and problem-solving sessions. Professional development is another key component to having a successful writing career. Topics including forming business relationships, pitching in meetings, preparing for rejection/success, submitting to competitions and fellowships, etc., is also covered. Lastly, you take your completed screenplay drafts and polish them to be ready to take out to agents, producers, studios, and networks. 

Features and Benefits:

• 9 months of accelerated instruction and mentoring
• Develop, write, and polish a full original screenplay
• 5 weeks of comprehensive professional development on representation, pitching, business, and career strategies
• Limited to 8 students
• Complimentary WP Now Membership for one year (a $139 value)
• Get coverage on your script by an industry professional
• Complimentary enrollment in the Feature Film Writing Certificate (a $200 value)
• Get valuable feedback through a 1-on-1 script consultation with a Writers’ Program instructor after completion of coursework (value up to $775, once opted-in)

The 2024 Feature Film Writing Conservatory is taught by Donald Martin, screenwriter/producer and WGA member whose feature credits include the Netflix movie Brazen (starring Alyssa Milano), Queen Bees (starring Ellen Burstyn), Milton’s Secret (starring Donald Sutherland), Shackles (Sony), and Dim Sum Funeral (HBO). Mr. Martin has over 60 produced movies, mini-series and series for television, work that has won awards around the world, including a nomination for the 2022 Humanitas Prize for his screenplay Queen Bees. He is currently in development and pre-production on several feature film projects.

Dates:
January 22, 2024 – September 19, 2024
Mondays and Thursdays, 6:00PM-9:00PM Pacific Time

Enrollment in this 9-month workshop is by submission only.

All submissions must include the following materials (Word Document or PDF):

1) Submit your strongest writing sample that showcases your storytelling abilities, such as the first ten pages of a screenplay, a short story, article, play, etc.

2) Also attach a two-to-three page personal statement, a resume, plus up to three loglines for a new project you wish to develop in the course. Participants will not be charged the full course fee unless they are selected for the series.

Application fee: Free
Tuition is due upon the start of the course.

To apply, click on the “Enroll” button by going to the link here.

(Deadline is Monday, December 11th, 2023 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time)

All submissions must include the following materials (Word Document or PDF) listed in the pre-requisites category above. Please remove all identifying personal information from title pages.

For more information, please contact writers@uclaextension.edu.

Phil Kellard

2024

In this highly intensive, focused, and collaborative environment with a cohort of select students, you complete a solid draft of your spec script of an existing series and an original pilot in 9 months.  In the spec phase of the course, you begin by refining your story idea and the outline. You then continue to write your script, focusing on capturing the essence of the show through its act structure, plot, multiple storylines, characters, scenes, and dialogue. During the pilot phase of the course, you take a concept for a television series and develop it through outline, the pitch, first draft, and the bible. You focus on complex characterization, structure, and the pilot story and potential for future episodes, and gain an in-depth understanding of the marketplace and where your series concept may be best suited, whether multi-camera, single-camera, drama, dramedy, or animation. Professional development is another key component to having a successful writing career. Topics including forming business relationships, pitching in meetings, preparing for rejection/success, submitting to competitions and fellowships, etc., is also covered. Lastly, you take your completed script drafts and polish them to be ready to take out to agents, producers, studios, and networks. 

Features and Benefits:

• 9 months of accelerated instruction and mentoring
• Develop, write, and polish both a spec of an existing series and an original pilot
• 5 weeks of comprehensive professional development on representation, pitching, business, and career strategies
• Limited to 8 students
• Complimentary WP Now Membership for one year (a $139 value)
• Get coverage on your script by an industry professional
• Complimentary enrollment in the Feature Film Writing Certificate (a $200 value)
• Get valuable feedback through a 1-on-1 script consultation with a Writers’ Program instructor after completion of coursework (value up to $775, once opted-in)

The 2024 Television Writing Conservatory will be taught by Phil Kellard, Executive producer-writer-director; WGA/DGA member whose credits include both drama and comedy from The Wayans Brothers; Martin; Doogie Howser, MD; to Hooperman and The Inspectors. He has written series and pilots for ABC, CBS, NBC, Hulu, The Disney Channel, Showtime, FBC, and Syfy Channel. Mr. Kellard received an Emmy Award for instructional programming and the UCLA Extension Outstanding Instructor Award in Screenwriting and is a contributing author to Inside the Room (Gotham Books/Penguin).

“Phil cares about his students and is very encouraging. He’s also really funny and engaging and I loved his lectures. He runs the class in an organized way as well”  – Former student of Phil Kellard

Dates:
January 22, 2024 – September 19, 2024
Mondays and Thursdays, 6:00PM-9:00PM Pacific Time

Enrollment in this 9-month workshop is by submission only.

All submissions must include the following materials (Word Document or PDF):

1) Submit your strongest writing sample that showcases your storytelling abilities, such as the first ten pages of a screenplay, a short story, article, play, etc.

2) Also attach a two-to-three page personal statement, a resume, plus up to three loglines for a new project you wish to develop in the course. Participants will not be charged the full course fee unless they are selected for the series.

Application fee: Free
Tuition is due upon the start of the course.

To apply click on the “Enroll” button by going to the link here.

(Deadline is Monday, December 11th, 2023 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time)

All submissions must include the following materials (Word Document or PDF) listed in the pre-requisites category above. Please remove all identifying personal information from title pages.

For more information, please contact writers@uclaextension.edu.

This dynamic and rigorous online/low-residency Master Class in Young Adult Novel Writing is designed for students who are serious about revising and polishing their young adult novels and getting published. The 5-month, 20-week online course allows for intensely individual instruction, peer critiques from a community of like-minded, talented writers, and a focus on process and results.

Features and Benefits:

• 20 weeks of master-level instruction and mentoring
• Limited to 8 students
• Includes a 4-day residency in LA with a guest speaker and bookstore reading
• Consideration of a novel excerpt by a literary agent at the completion of the course

This course is currently unavailable. Check back here for future quarter availability or contact Writers’ Program at writers@uclaextension.edu or (310) 825-9415.

All submissions must include the following materials (Word Document or PDF):

1. One-page personal statement that includes your writing background, previous creative writing courses taken;
2. A two-page synopsis of your novel-in-progress
3. The completed first draft of your novel. (Note: participants in this master class work only on the novel submitted for admission. No exceptions. Each page should be numbered, typed in 12-point Times New Roman font, and double spaced with 1-inch margins.)

Application fee: $10 (nonrefundable)
Registration fee: $2650 payable upon acceptance.

For more information, please contact Writers’ Program at writers@uclaextension.edu or (310) 825-9415.