Hatrack River Writers Workshop Hosted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury • Introduction • Enter the Forum Write to Kathleen Dalton Woodbury Former Boot Campers Success Stories • Chris Todd Miller • Jessi Cole Jackson • Brian McClellan • Ty Franck • 2008 Bootcamp • S.D. Smith • John Brown • Brad Beaulieu • Jamie Ford • Judson Roberts • Danielle Friedman • Scott Andrews • Christine Amsden • Patricia Esden • Rick Novy • Aliette de Bodard • Alethea Kontis • Mary Robinette Kowal • Scott Roberts • Mette Harrison • Eric James Stone • James Maxey • Luc Reid • Douglas Cohen Links of Interest • OSC urges writers to look at this LA Times interview with mystery writer Robert Crais Says OSC: "Crais, one of my favorite writers, has come quite independently to many of the same conclusions I've reached - and which I've taught in my writing workshops for years. It's nice to have an independent source for the ideas! Besides, Crais is an outstanding writer who deserves to be listened to for his own sake." • Parker column: A writer teaches writing • Garrison Keillor's Excellent Advice about MFA Programs • Want a critique of your manuscript from a published author? Mette Ivie Harrison has been praised as one of the finest writers of fantasy and YA literature working today - and she has taught writing workshops with OSC • Bernard Cornwell shares OSC's emphasis on story, letting the author's voice take care of itself. (Thanks to Scott Roberts for pointing this out.) • Comments on Uncle Orson’s Literary Boot Camp • Hatrack Utility Belt • Tor Submissions Guidelines • Using invented language in speculative fiction

"Boot camp turned everything around for me," says John Brown, who just received a very nice, three-book deal from Tor. His debut as a novelist includes the forthcoming epic fantasies from Tor: Servant of a Dark God, Curse of a Dark God, and Dark God's Glory. The first in the series should appear in the summer of 2009.

During the 2002 boot camp, Brown learned a number of critical things about the creative process that had eluded him for years. On the last day of the boot camp, he made a goal to finish a number of novels in 5 years and sell one of them. Before the boot camp he couldn't finish anything. Afterwards Brown consistently produced and 5½ years later made his sale.

Says Brown, "Scott Card will deny playing any role in what I learned, but that's only to keep his head from growing so large he can't walk straight. The fact is, the boot camp employed a number of critical principles that maximize learning. Yes, it was the right time for me to learn what I needed to. But it wouldn't have happened without Scott's excellent instruction and facilitation of the workshop."

You can read more about Brown's breaking-in story and be updated on his novels at www.johndbrown.com