I believe that two things are essential to the writing life: accountability and community. My online courses offer both these things by giving you deadlines and the support of other writers on the same journey.
I offer four different online classes aimed at helping writers — both professional and first-timers — start, make progress on, and finish novels.
Check out the options below to find one that’s right for you — then email me! juliadahl@gmail.com
Class 1: Fiction for Journalists
After 20 years in journalism and five published novels, I have come to believe that almost all journalists have the skills to write fiction — they just need a little guidance and support.
This course consists of five 90-minute online sessions where journalists will discuss and experiment with fiction, getting feedback, guidance, and inspiration.
We’ll talk about:
- Finding the story you want to tell
- Building compelling characters
- Structure, pacing, tension, dialogue
- Creating time to write
- Generative research
- The publishing industry
- Querying an agent
Cost: $950
Class 2: First Draft Book Camp
For aspiring novelists who’ve never been professional writers, this course covers much of the material of Fiction for Journalists. Over five 90-minute sessions that meet you where you are in the novel writing process, you’ll gain the tools and inspiration necessary to make the crucial first step in publishing your novel: finishing a first draft!
We’ll talk about:
- Finding the story you want to tell
- Building compelling characters
- Structure, pacing, tension, dialogue
- Creating time to write
- Generative research
- The publishing industry
- Querying an agent
Cost: $950
Class 3: How to Write a Novel in 15 Minutes a Day
Based on the advice I laid out in an August article for Fast Company, this course helps writers create a sustainable writing practice — the first step to finishing a novel. In this course, which consists of three 60-minute sessions, we’ll work on:
- How to train you brain for success
- How to find the 15 minutes each day that work for you
- How to give yourself permission to embrace yourself as a writer
- Tricks to get through your first draft
Cost: $500
Class 4: Get Unstuck: Journalism for Fiction Writers
This course consists of one 90-minute session where fiction writers learn journalism skills — including research, interviewing techniques, and building a daily writing practice — that will help them get “unstuck” and finish their draft.
Cost: $150
Testimonials
“Julia’s classes were informative and clarified so much about the writing process — from removing blockers to zeroing in on my goals, as well as the early steps of finding an agent and pitching my book. I also really appreciated the sense of community she fosters, and the built-in accountability of the class kept me writing at a steady pace: I finished the course with over 35,000 words and a strong plan for moving forward.”
Dan Saltzstein, Deputy Editor, Projects and Collaborations, New York Times
“Working with Julia was such a game changer! I came into the class with some chapters and a concept, and left with 25,000 words and a fully formed plan for how to finish my first fiction book, as well as insight into the fiction publishing process. She provided great insight into how I can make the writing process work while also managing a busy full-time journalism job and had some great ideas for the plot of my book. The class was so much fun and never felt like work, more like something I was doing to invest in my own creative process and passion for writing.”
Melanie Hicken, Senior Investigative Reporter, CNN
“When I first signed for Julia’s class, I had hoped to finalize an idea I’d kicked around for years. What I took away was so much more. Julia taught us the basics of beats and mapping out story arcs much longer than any we’ve written as reporters. She pulled back the curtain on how publishing works while sharing her own experiences in real time. She encouraged us and created a safe space to discuss imposter syndrome and writer’s block, while fostering a sense of community that had us all celebrating each other’s wins and brainstorming book titles.
I highly recommend this class if you need a kick in the right direction and some inspiration!
Sarah Parvini, Comms Lead, Central Tech; former LA Times and Associated Press reporter
“Julia demystifies the very mystifying world of publishing. I came into her class with what I thought was a solid start to my novel. After our five classes, my novel evolved in a way I could have never imagined. I walked away confident in my idea and with a solid understanding of what it takes to make publishing a novel a reality.”
Kristen Maxwell Cooper, Former Editor in Chief of The Knot
“Julia is a generous, encouraging, thoughtful instructor and mentor. Her enthusiasm for helping writers become the best they can be is palpable (even through a screen!) and my excitement to work on my manuscript was always higher after meeting with her. I wish I could meet with her every day!”
Sara Gaynes Levy, Editor of Westport Lifestyle Magazine
I’ve never felt so confident or motivated that I can write and complete my first novel as I have after working with Julia in her Fiction For Journalists class—and I’ve started and half-finished over a dozen novels!
Her practical advice and enthusiasm for our projects is unmatched by any novel writing class I’ve ever taken. As a published novelist, seasoned journalist, and professor, Julia knows how to break down the process, mentor through the disbeliefs, and give actionable steps. From her classes to creating a bi-weekly support group for new novelists, Julia’s dedication to the craft and belief in her writers is evident.
After taking her FFJ class, I now have over 30,000 words, multiple chapters, and a solid plan on how to finish the first draft of my novel. Working with Julia is like having a coach, a therapist for the ever-conflicted writer, and a mentor. Julia manages to get writers to believe they too can write a novel.
Barbi Walker-Walsh, BJW Post LLC and co-founder of Journalists’ Wherehouse
“This course was a game-changer for me. I’ve wanted to write a novel for years, but my first drafts always fizzled out in a few pages. Through Julia’s guidance, I was able to push through the slumps, get my plot organized, and am now deep into a draft that sometimes feels like it is practically assembling itself.”
Theresa Boersma