There’s a story inside you. It’s time to tell it.
Write your story in just one year with personal, expert guidance
In the Year of Writing Magically Workshop, you will learn how to combine the magic of your own personal style with unshakable storytelling craft under the personal guidance of story expert and New York Times Bestselling author, Lani Diane Rich.
Through her college classes, her podcasts, and her book, How Story Works, Lani has taught hundreds of writers how to translate their inspiration into finished stories.
Are you ready to be one of them?
Whether it’s your first story or your thousandth, writing is hard
You want to write.
You may even already have a story idea you're excited about.
So why is it so hard to do something you enjoy? And how will you feel if you let this story growing inside you float away?
You owe it to yourself, to your readers, and to your story to write it, and to write it to the absolute best of your ability. To do that, you need to dedicate your time and energy to your story.
Imagine doing that under expert guidance on how stories work, and with a group of people who will support your efforts as much as you’ll support theirs.
Stop cramming your creativity into the margins of your life.
For one year, make writing a priority in your life with the positive reinforcement you need to write successfully.
Stories are magic.
Make your own magic this year.
COMPARATIVE PROGRAMS
Fishtrap: $7,250 (not including travel costs)
Loft: $7,500 (not including travel costs)
Clarion West: $3,250 for six weeks
Year of Writing Magically: $2,200
What makes the Year so Magical?
Lessons.
Exercises.
Brainstorming.
Community.
And, most of all, time.
You have a year to discover, draft, and twice revise your long-form project.
A year of writing magically.
A coach who gets it.
Lani Diane Rich has spent two decades taking stories apart and figuring out what makes them work. Now she’s sharing the knowledge of how to write with the wisdom of how to keep writing with you in live coaching sessions, specialized homework assignments, and assistance with scheduling your writing life.
Other writers who get it.
You’ll be surrounded by 10-20 other writers who understand the need for a supportive, bonded community and are on the same journey you are.
A space to write it.
You’ll be surrounded by other writers who understand the need for a supportive, bonded community and are on the same journey you are.
Story-first, no matter the form or genre.
Novels, screenplays, graphic novels, stage plays, TV series pilots... we're focused on story, and story is form-independent and works in every genre.
Lani Diane Rich, NYT bestselling author,
story expert & writing coach
Hi.
I’m Lani.
Some years back, I was a first-time novelist who sold a book and then panicked when my publisher asked for more. I’d accidentally caught lightning in a bottle… what if I couldn’t catch it again?
That question started my twenty-year journey to learning everything I could about storytelling so I’d know for sure I was writing good books. I distilled what I learned and taught others into a 175-page book that is, quite frankly, the last story craft book you’re ever gonna need.
If you’ve been wanting to complete a novel, screenplay, or other long-form work, yet aren’t sure where to begin, this is the workshop for you.
Lani’s approach provides you with an amazingly accessible creative structure, with both expert guidance and peer support baked into the experience. I can’t recommend it strongly enough.
—Anne, 2023 cohort
As with everything Lani creates, the best part of the workshop is the community. Even though I’ve written more than one novel, I can honestly say that I could not have written my current story without the research assistance, encouragement, and support of my fellow classmates.
—Melissa, 2023 cohort
The YOWM class structure balances instruction, participation and practice. The assignments are always marching you closer to your own goals of completing a project and fully takes into account that everyone in the class has other commitments.
When I am ready to start my next project, I will be applying to participate again without a single moment of hesitation.
—Caitlyn, 2023 cohort
Class participants love the Year of Writing Magically experience!
The Year of Writing Magically workshop gave me the tools to finally tackle writing the book that has been whispering in my ear for nearly a decade. The way Lani broke down the writing process and focused on the magic (instead of the mess) made the writing process less overwhelming and more of a joy, and the cohort of writers in the workshop were amazing and supportive accountability buddies. I've written a few manuscripts over the years, but the one I worked on in the workshop has the clearest characters and the sturdiest structure I've ever written.
—Liz, 2023 cohort
The Year of Writing Magically workshop gave me the community, structure, and guidance to prove to myself that I can write after a prolonged absence. It is well worth the money for personal guidance and a team at your back that truly knows your fears and hope. Lani delivers knowledge and support that is indispensable and has my eternal gratitude.
—Danielle, 2023 cohort
COMPARATIVE PROGRAMS
Fishtrap: $7,250 (not including travel costs)
Loft: $7,500 (not including travel costs)
Clarion West: $3,250 for six weeks
Year of Writing Magically: $2,200
How to go from idea to draft to done
Apply for the workshop. Click the link below to apply for the next Year of Writing Magically workshop.
Connect with your cohort. Through exclusive access to online forums and video coaching sessions, you’ll link up not only with Lani, but with other storytellers. You support them. They support you.
Write your story. With the customized class schedule, you’ll enhance your understanding of the basic building blocks of story while receiving the tools necessary to make the time and energy you need to bring your story to life.
Unlock your magic.
Magic is what you bring to a story.
Craft is how you make that magic accessible to others.
In the Year of Writing Magically Workshop, you will learn how to combine these elements under the guidance of story expert Lani Diane Rich. Through her college classes, podcasts, and book, How Story Works, Lani has taught hundreds of writers how to translate their inspiration into finished stories.
In this workshop, she will personally guide you from the desire to write to a finished product ready to shop or independently publish.
It’s time to tell your story.