“Hooking Your Reader: Writing A Killer First Page” with Meg Eden Kuyatt
May 3, 2023 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM CDT
$59.00 – $119.00
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This Event is for Members only.
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$59 for Members
$119 for Non-Members
Can’t make it to the live class? No problem! All classes are recorded and made available to class registrants for one month.
Learn how to hook your readers from the very beginning.
Most editors of both magazines and presses will say that they read the first, last and middle page of a story before deciding if they want to read more. Potential readers are even less forgiving. So how do we snag our readers and make them want to read more?
In this class, we’ll look at examples of powerful first lines and pages, and discuss strategies for selecting a powerful first line and first pages. Feel free to bring the first line of your story or novel for a mini first-line “workshop.” We’ll also do exercises to evaluate our current first pages and how to decide if we’re starting our stories in the right place.
In addition, this class will include the option to send in your first page to be workshopped by the class. If you’d like to volunteer your first page, please email WLT Program Director Sam Babiak at sam@writersleague.org with your submission by Wednesday, May 3 at 5:00 PM CDT. It should be limited to one page (between 250-400 words), double spaced, and in Times New Roman 12pt font. Please note: not all submissions will be chosen.
TAKE THIS CLASS IF:
- You are querying or submitting fiction and want to make your pages shine.
- You are editing a novel or short story and want to make sure your first page is the best it can be.
- You are unsure about your opening pages and if they’re the right place to start your story.
- You’re feeling stuck in your writing project.
The deadline to register for this class is Wednesday, May 3 at 5:00 PM CT.
Instructor
Meg Eden Kuyatt teaches creative writing at colleges and writing centers. She is the author of the 2021 Towson Prize for Literature winning poetry collection Drowning in the Floating World, the forthcoming obsolete hill (Fernwood Press) and children’s novels including the Schneider Family Book Award Honor-winning Good Different, and the forthcoming The Girl in the Walls (Scholastic, 2025). Find her online at megedenbooks.com.
Before purchasing, please read all policies as noted below and on our Accessibility and Policies page.
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Class & Event Registration Policy
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Anti-Harassment Policy
The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
- Sexual images not appropriate for the specific subject of the public discussion;
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of discussions or other events;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
Credit Card Transaction Handling Fee Policy
All credit card transactions will incur a 4% handling fee. If you’d prefer to pay by check for membership, a class, or an event, you can use the provided forms on the membership or event pages and mail to: WLT, P.O. Box 14355, Austin, TX, 78704.
Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.