How to Write and Publish a Novel

Name: How to Write and Publish a Novel
Rating: 4.5 (42 reviews)

Plan, Draft, Revise, and Prepare Your 50K Novel for Submission

Highest Rated

Created byMarissa Burt

Last updated 5/2025

English

What you'll learn

This course teaches students all the skills needed to plan, write, workshop, revise, and submit a novel for traditional publication.

Course content

5 sections • 29 lectures • 9h 1m total length

Orientation Video26:06
Students will be oriented to the course. Check out the linked resources below as you’ll need to acquire the course text - WRITING FICTION FOR DUMMIES, by: Randy Ingermanson and download the course workbook - THE NANOWRIMO Novelist Workbook for High School students. (Yes, it is written for high schoolers, but I like to use it in classes for all ages, because it’s FREE and full of wonderful exercises.) ETA: As of May 2025, the NaNoWriMo website is down, so I have included a downloadable version of the workbook below.
You may also like to download a linked course syllabus to access the lectures and assignments on a 35 week schedule that follows the school year.
Orientation Assignment

On Novels, Part 117:23
Students will learn about the basic ingredients of their novels. This video was interrupted and may be continued in Part 2
On Novels, Part 27:59
This is a continuation of Part 1
On Novels Assignment
On Setting, Part 114:46
Students will begin planning setting details for their story. This video was interrupted and may be continued in Part 2
On Setting, Part 24:37
Students will begin planning setting details for their story. This video is a continuation of Part 1.
Setting Assignment
On Characters, Part 15:42
Students will develop their characters. This recording was interrupted and may be continued in Part 2.
On Characters, Part 212:30
This video was interrupted and is a continuation of Part 1
Characters Assignment
On Conflict, Part 133:10
Students will work on their story question and character motivation. This video was interrupted and may be continued in Part 2
On Conflict, Part 20:28
This video is a continuation of Part 1
Conflict Assignment
On Plot, Part 121:58
Students will begin working on their 3 Act Structure.
On Plot Assignment
More on Plot22:13
Students will work on their synopsis and scene cards.
More on Plot Assignment
Settings and Subplots30:01
Students will develop their subplots.
Settings and Subplots Assignment
Dialogue31:02
Students will finish their spadework.
Dialogue Assignment

Drafting Pep Talk4:07
Students begin to draft their novel.
Write 3000 words! (600 words/5 days a week is a good approach).
Week 11 - Beginnings22:23
Students continue drafting their novels but also focus on the beginning chapters.
Write 9K! I recommend you write 3K/week for three weeks.
Workshopping27:27
Students continue drafting their novel and learn about critique groups.
Write 9K!
Sequence/Structure27:06
Students will continue drafting and develop the internal structure of their novels.
Write 9K!
Details24:21
Students will continue drafting and learn how to add layers of detail to their novels.
Write 9K!
Going Deeper20:24
Students will continue drafting and learn how to enhance the different elements of their novel.
Write 9K!
CONGRATULATIONS!2:19
Students will continue drafting and celebrate nearing the end of their first draft!
Write 2K!

Now We Edit7:06
This video will orient students to the editorial process.
Now We Edit Assignment
Novel Take 221:59
Students will revisit the structure of their novels.
Novels Take 2 Assignment
Line Edits16:41
Students will learn about detailed edits and focus on grammar, spelling, sentence structure, etc.
Line Edits Assignment
Editorial Pep Talk14:32
Students will be prepared for another round of edits.
Editorial Pep Talk Assignment

Submissions Process25:47
Students will learn the difference between traditional and self-publishing.
Submissions Process Assignment
Query Letters28:21
Students will learn how to query literary agents.
Query Letter Assignment
About Publishing35:51
Students will learn about the traditional publishing process
About Publishing Assignment
Launch Parties and Marketing31:50
Students will learn about promoting and marketing their novels.
Launch Parties & Marketing Assignment
Goodbye!3:27
You’ve done it! Congratulations!!! Continue on with any edits on your novel and...keep writing!

Requirements

Students must be willing to write!

Description

This course teaches students all the skills needed to write, workshop, revise, and submit a novel for traditional publication. Whatever your skill level – beginner or experienced – you should be able to learn and apply these concepts and improve your novel writing skills.

During the year, you will:

learn about the basic elements of story: character, setting, plot, conflict, dialogue, and subplots.
use a variation of The Snowflake Method to develop story structure and a novel synopsis.
plan, outline, and draft a 50,000 word novel.
opt in to a virtual writers’ group to give and receive feedback on your writing.
complete at least one set of revisions on your novel.
become familiar with the publication process and the business aspect of writing.
prepare your manuscript to be submitted to literary agents.
plan a virtual or live launch party to share your work with your family and friends!

Bring to class:

1. All notes, creative work, and drafts.

2. Pens or pencils.

3. Journal.

4. Textbook

Assigned Work designed to help you complete your novel:

1. Complete the required reading and exercises in the course text WRITING FICTION FOR DUMMIES, by: Randy Ingermanson and Peter Economy (2010 edition) and the course workbook NaNoWriMo High School Novelist Workbook.

2. Complete the required homework assignments.

3. Write a 50K+ novel according to the schedule. Determine to put in the work. You can do this!

4. Consider joining a virtual critique group to give and receive feedback on your written work.

5. Journal at least 15 minutes and read at least 30 minutes in a “Twaddle-free” book five days each week.

Who this course is for:

Whatever your skill level - beginner or experienced - this course will help you improve your novel writing skills.

How to Write and Publish a Novel

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Course Orientation1 lecture • 26min

Planning Your Novel12 lectures • 3hr 22min

Drafting Your Novel7 lectures • 2hr 8min

Editing Your Novel4 lectures • 1hr

The Publication Process5 lectures • 2hr 5min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: