Since 1990, Clark Strand and Perdita Finn have published over twenty books in various genres (memoir, spirituality, novels, children’s books, poetry), written countless magazine articles, ghost written for celebrities, book doctored for major editors, and crafted promotional material for big publishers. Clark has been a magazine editor. Perdita has optioned books in Hollywood. Both have had book auctions, explored self-publishing, and taught writing for decades. Most impressive of all, they have made a living as full-time writers for over thirty years, during which time they have a amassed a wealth of experience in the business of imagining, selling, and helping creative projects succeed. 

But for years now Perdita and Clark have been concerned that many writers spend too much money to get too little help at various writing programs, imagining that a degree of some kind will put them on the path to publishing. The real help—the help that actually makes a difference—is straightforward and practical, less about the group critique or the clever prompt and much more about knowing how the business really works. This one-day crash course in becoming a writer will give participants the grounded real-world guidance that can turn an idea into a book, and a book into a reality.

Session One: The Write Stuff

12:00 – 1:30 PM Eastern

Find out what real writers do every day, what they read, how they prepare to write, and how they decide to commit to a project. We’ll explore successful routines and habits, as well as the pros and cons of different kinds of writing groups. Most of all, we’ll look at how to create personal accountability. Every participant will identify a project and come up with a daily plan—word count, outlines, deadlines—for actually getting it done. 

Session Two: Pitch Perfect 

3:00 – 4:30 PM Eastern

This session will demystify the entire publishing process: from writing a proposal, to getting an agent, to securing a deal. We’ll explore the various avenues for publication—from the Big Five to mid-tier houses to designing and producing our book all on our own. We’ll look at the crucial importance of the pitch, and draft one for our own project. In addition, we’ll look at what a book proposal is and how to write one in an era when books are almost always bought on the basis of a clear, focused presentation.

Session Three: Reaching Readers 

5:30 – 6:30 PM Eastern

Finally, we will confront the ever-shifting realities of marketing our work—what we can expect today’s publisher to do and not do, and what we can already begin doing ourselves. Even as we conceptualize our project, we can begin preparing publicity. We’ll talk about how to make social media work for us—how to build a platform, engage with fans, and develop practical strategies for making sure our writing finds its audience. Participants will each identify a long-term social media strategy that works for them.

The fee for this one-day workshop is $125.

All Three Sessions on One Day, March 28th, 2026

All sessions are recorded and sent to all participants at end of workshop.

All workshops fees are non-refundable.