The Writer's Workshop @ Authors Publish

Expert guidance from an experienced teacher and coach who clearly loves writing and working with other writers. Always encouraging, tells you what works before he goes into what doesn't. Specific advice, nothing vague. He knows what he's talking about.

This well-organized course deftly melded attention, encouragement and practical advice with structural solidity. The weekly readings and assignments addressed key features of novel-writing; while providing a variety of interactive opportunities, including zoom office hours for group questions and a discussion board. The final consult itself was worth the price of admission. I highly recommend this course as an opportunity to advance your work while receiving benevolent guidance.

John Claude Bemis is a gifted teacher who draws from all genres to show how effective novels reach their readers. His feedback on assignments is spot-on, encouraging without sparing the truth. His enthusiasm is infectious and motivating. I've benefitted from this course, as well as his Plot Your Novel course more than I can say.

I don't outline. I'll bullet some thoughts then develop them into scenes. I'd gotten to the point where I wasn't sure where to put some scenes to make the story flow to both a satisflying character and book arc. John's course helped by making me think further than the next few chapters without taking away my spur-of-the-moment creativity. The 8-box exercise was a challenge. So was writing the synopsis. But I persisted and now have an informal road map on which to pluck in ideas, conversations, scenes, etc. I've taken many classes. This one wouldn't have worked for me without John's personal, step-by-step approach and endearing personality. It's clear he wants you to succeed. And that's the reason I took the class. Well done, John Bemis. And thank you Jacob Jans at Author's Publish for presenting this course.

A wonderful opportunity with abundant, easily accessible material in text with a discussion with others students and teacher, zoom meetings, even a one-on-one with John. The content of the course was welcoming and open to creative interpretation, yet definitive enough to provide real forward progress at whatever level a writer may be. The teacher's feedback, and flexibility with a writer's working pace and time restraints accommodate individual needs. I also appreciated the conversation on zoom with agent, Eric Smith, answering some necessary questions, and at the same time with John and Eric together, an example of the creative community of writing. Thank you.

John Claude Bemis not only delivers lessons in a practical, insightful way, but works with his students to help their individual projects become better refined and better defined. I rate this course highly because it has strong value for the beginning author as well as the seasoned pro.

This is an excellent course for writers who are ready to learn about plotting. The techniques John Claude explores can be applied to any style or genre of fiction (or non-fiction). I have taken some good writing classes in the past, including some in an MFA program, but this was by far the best and most useful for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop. I found every lesson useful and each one I could use towards my story. I now have a better understanding of the structure a story should have and how to develop each chapter in order to keep the reader interested in my story. I enjoyed reading the lessons, as well as listening to the videos. I also found the feedback given by Mr. Bemis for each assignment to be constructive and positive, and I was always waiting impatiently until I'd receive them. I absolutely recommend this workshop.

John taught the best course on Plot I've ever had anywhere; that includes the IOWA WRITER'S FESTIVAL. The lecture materials were well-developed in content, highly informative and inspirational, and just plain comprehensive. John has a wonderful "writing desk side manner" about him. He is funny, serious, shares his curiosity and sense of discovery with student writers in his video presentations. He does his homework on our submissions w/o the usual "wonderful, wonderful" gloss. I learned a lot about the craft from John's perspective and attention to excellence. Joe G