September 8 @ 7:00 pm - September 10 @ 7:00 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Part Mini Online Course
Join editor Kat Brzozowski and author Anna-Marie McLemore to explore creating distinct and engaging voice and authentic dialogue on the page. While a strong voice in MG & YA novels is a must, getting it right is often elusive. Kat and Anna-Marie will explore where voice comes from—inner conflicts, outside pressures, personal values, experiences, identity—and how to make sure it lands convincingly in dialogue.
This program is a great fit if you’re looking for a short course of two, 75-minute sessions offering limited interaction with the community, but loads of information.
- Monday, September 8, 2025 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat.
- You’ll have access to the recordings through October 31, 2025.
Why This Workshop?
As a writer, you create stories that only you can tell. Voice and dialogue work together to make sure your words are impactful and true to your personal values, experiences, identity.
Join author Anna-Marie McLemore and editor Kat Brzozowski to learn ways that you can discover and amplify your Voice, then express it authentically through dialogue.
In this short course, we’ll explore:
- How authors channel an authentic kid or teen Voice in their writing, especially through dialogue, to create characters that read “real” and engaging.
- How to craft Voice and dialogue to hook your reader from the beginning.
- How to create dialogue that sounds like real kids and teens.
- And more!
Feedback Expected
- None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
- Anna-Marie and Kat will respond to as many questions in the chat as they are able during the second evening of the program.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are a middle grade or young adult novelist interested in deepening your work through voice and dialogue exercises and experimentation.
- You are a writer looking for inspiration and idea generation. Voice is the bones of all engaging writing; dialogue is one way voice is expressed on the page.
- You are looking for a shorter online course. This is a short-course known as a “mini” with limited engagement meant to deepen your understanding of voice.
Tentative Agenda
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each day of the course.
IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE:
If you are unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through October 31, 2025.
Please note that if you register for the course after the start of the first session, you will not receive recordings immediately. You’ll receive both recordings after the close of the last session, usually within 24 hours.
All Times are Eastern Time.
Part One: Monday, September 8, 2025 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Welcome
- Voice: An Overview with Kat and Anna-Marie
- Analyzing a scene from a YA novel to deconstruct how the author “makes” voice
- Try this at home: Writing exercise on effectively creating voice
Part Two: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
- Dialogue: Voice in Action with Anna-Marie
- Analysis of dialogue
- Writing exercise: Making Voice shine with dialogue
- Sharing plus Q & A on Voice, dialogue, and publishing!
How It Impacts Kids
Readers know authentic Voice and dialogue. This program will help you craft a Voice and dialogue that resonates with readers.
Testimonials from Our Community
“This was a terrific course. I loved getting an editorial perspective, and it was extremely helpful to get Kat’s revision and industry insights. I thought the classes were well-organized, engaging, and interesting.”
“Kat is the first person I’ve heard actually describe what voice is that made sense.”
“Anna-Marie McLemore did a fabulous job– the information was provided in a way that was valuable to the beginner and advanced writer.”
