The Character Workshop with Erin Swann
Craft Compelling Characters that Readers, Agents, and Editors Love

June 15th to July 18th, 2026
Fiction • Online • Saturdays, 12pm–2pm ET

If you want to win over readers, agents, and editors, developing the right characters is a key component to success.

Within the first few pages, readers will decide whether to keep reading your story. Doing this successfully depends on laying the right groundwork for your characters before you even start writing.

This course gives you the time, tools, and techniques for bringing your characters to life from the very first page, so you can hook readers, meet the needs of agents/editors, and honor your vision for the story.

This course doesn’t just focus on the opening pages – it gives you the tools and techniques that allow you to create compelling characters that pull readers through the entire story with depth, nuance, and emotion.

Each week of this course gives you one fundamental building block for creating compelling characters, with a focus on learning through practice, so you can have those “aha” moments that only come with real-world experience. (Plus, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop friends and make lasting connections with your fellow course participants.)

You’ll learn the role of backstory (and how to use it effectively), how to guarantee a satisfying ending, how to effectively write relationships/side characters, how to manage tension throughout each scene, and much more.

This course includes in-depth personal feedback on your writing, directly from Erin Swann. In addition to the weekly live meetings, you’ll work one-on-one with Erin, so you can apply the lessons to your unique situation. Erin will then give you detailed written feedback on the first 3,000 words of your story, with a focus on meeting the needs of agents and publishers, so you can have polished writing ready to send out.

Please note, enrollment is strictly limited due to the level of personal feedback Erin is offering for this course. This is also the only time this year that Erin is able to offer this level of feedback.

If you’re interested in participating, you’re encouraged to enroll right away.

Enroll Now for $450

Get Personal Feedback On Your Writing

During this course, Erin will give you detailed written feedback on the first 3,000 words of your story. She'll also give you two one-on-one meetings, so you can discuss your work in-depth.

  • Get detailed written feedback on the first 3,000 words of your story.

  • Get two one-on-one meetings, so you can get even more in-depth personal feedback, and make sure the entire course is tailored to your unique needs.

Get Five Weeks of Craft Lessons and Inspiration So You Can Make Real Progress On Your Writing

The course is held entirely online, using our online community discussion platform, as well as Zoom for live interaction.

The first live meeting is on June 20th, and the course concludes on July 18th, 2026. The live meetings will be on Saturdays, 12pm–2pm ET.

The meetings will be recorded for those who cannot attend live.

While the live meetings are on Saturdays, each week of the course includes asynchronous class discussions, and handouts. You'll also have the opportunity to share your work with others, and the chance to make connections and find potential long-term writing partners.

  • 5 weeks of live sessions designed to transform your ability to create compelling characters that readers love.

  • Get detailed written feedback on the first 3,000 words of your story and two one-on-one meetings with Erin, scheduled for a time that works best for you.

  • Weekly discussion prompts that get you thinking about your writing and engaging with peers

  • Opportunities to post work in a community space for sharing, support, or feedback

  • Lessons aimed to be practical and easy to apply immediately to your writing.

About Erin Swann

Erin Swann is a speculative fiction author, novelist, and writing instructor. She's been widely published in publications such as Andromeda Spaceways, Flash Fiction Online, and Factor Four Magazine.

Her work has also been longlisted or a finalist for many awards, including the Parsec Short Story Award, the Page Turner Award, and the Writers of the Future Award.

Erin lives and writes in Maryland.

A photo of Erin, with logos of the publications she has been featured in. Including Cloaked Press, Flash Fiction Online, Andromeda Spaceways, Brigids Gate Press, and Factor Four Magazine.

What Writers Are Saying About Working with Erin

“This has been an amazing class and you are an INCREDIBLE TEACHER, ERIN! You are generous, supportive, engaged, and so knowledgeable. To be one of these things is great, but all of them? Rare. I would literally take any class you taught. (Well, not horror. I’m a scaredy cat.)
I have so much gratitude that you make your classes more affordable. As a working person, I am also not usually able to take classes because they are on work days, so thank you for offering a class on the weekends. I went to bed excited every Sunday night in anticipation of Monday’s poll. I loved the breakout groups where I connected with some wonderful humans. Thank you, Erin. Truly. ”

Rachel P.

“This class has been such a wonderful experience. The writing prompts were not only inspiring but helped me unlock new ideas and add meaningful content to my book. Each session sparked creativity and growth in new ways.
It has also been amazing to get to know the other writers. It is a gift to share space with such thoughtful, talented people.”

Sylvia M.

“Every session, I nod along, thinking ‘Yeah, of course! We all know this.’ Then, we get to the application and I realize ‘Wow, I need to apply this.’”

Jill W.

“I learned so much in this class. I’ve read some of the books you referenced but had trouble understanding how to apply the ideas. Your step-by-step approach broke it down into an interactive experience that enabled me to actually apply these techniques. Thank you!!”

Kim R.

FAQ

  • Who is this course designed for?

    This course is designed for authors of fiction who want to learn the art and craft of developing memorable character for their stories.

    More specifically, this course is perfect for those working on a novel, or shorter fictional pieces, and want to enhance their ability to create characters readers that resonate deeply with readers.

    The exercises, prompts, and lessons in this course are designed to benefit experienced writers, as well as those new to writing.

  • What if I can't make it to a live meeting?

    All of the meetings will be recorded, so you can participate "asynchronously" after the fact.

    In addition, lessons and discussions will be available in our community learning platform on your own time, outside of the live meetings.

  • When does the early bird tuition expire?

    To take advantage of the early bird tuition, please register before June 14th. Note, the course may sell out before this date.

  • Why are you limiting enrollment in this course?

    Space in this course is strictly limited due to the personal attention and one-on-one meetings Erin is providing to every participant.

    The course is designed to have enough participants to develop a strong community, while still allowing Erin to meet with every participant twice, and also give each participant careful attention and support.

Enroll Now

Enrollment closes June 16th.