I teach a number of online and in-person writing classes and workshops, or you can book onto one of my one-to-one novel coaching courses. This page has all the details!
WRITING COURSES (online asynchronous classes) – these classes take place at multiple times across the year, and all can be studied independently with no live class components.
AN INTRODUCTION TO STORY FORMS (WITH PORTFOLIO CREATION) — 12-week course
NARRATIVE STRUCTURES – 6-week course
HOW TO WRITE A YA DYSTOPIAN NOVEL – 8-week course
WRITING HORROR AND GOTHIC FICTION – 7-week course
EDITORIAL MENTORSHIP SCHEME – 16-week course
INDIVIDUAL MASTERCLASSES (while these are mostly online classes, they can be taught at in-person events if requested)
WRITING ASEXUAL CHARACTERS – 90-minute masterclass
WRITING HORROR FICTION – 2-hour masterclass (presentation plus live Q&A)
THRILLER-WRITING WORKSHOP – 3-hour interactive and generative workshop
WRITING YOUR WAY THROUGH TRAUMA – 90-minute generative workshop
BEACH-WRITING WORKSHOP – 90-minute generative workshop
NOVEL COACHING
Got a problem with your story and don’t know how to fix it? Have an idea you want to write about but not sure where to start? Want to write a book and need guidance through every step? Well, novel coaching may be for you…
I offer one-to-one, personalised coaching for all writers of fiction and nonfiction, regardless of their levels of experience or expertise. For fiction, I specialize in young-adult and adult genre fiction (mainly thriller, gothic, crime, and fantasy), but I have experience teaching and editing across all genres and for all readerships (including middle-grade fiction and picture books). For nonfiction, I specialize in memoir and autofiction, and for fiction and nonfiction alike, plot-doctoring and narrative structures are my strengths.
What does coaching include?
- A weekly meeting of 1 hour via Zoom or a similar platform. In this meeting, you will let me know what you want to discuss and focus upon this week. This can include goal-setting, planning, craft-focus, research guidance, or plot doctoring. At the end of each meeting, I will advise on what you should work on across the following week in preparation for our next session. This “homework” will be mutually agreed upon and can take the form of writing a new chapter, producing a structural template of your story, performing detailed character/worldbuilding work, researching a specific area, and more. (Our first meeting will also include a small amount of ‘admin’ and questions about your preferred learning styles and what you want to achieve from the coaching.)
- Ahead of each week’s meeting (after the first meeting), I will read up to 5,000 words of your work and provide feedback (either in written form or in the Zoom/StreamYard session).
- As applicable and as requested, I can also provide further resources/reading for you each week. This may be in the form of novel suggestions or critical and contextual pieces that relate to your chosen topic.
- I am on hand to answer all your questions! Via email, you can ask me any questions at all during our coaching time together. These questions can be on topics such as the publishing industry, querying, self-publishing, marketing, and more, alongside the craft of writing.
Essentially, with coaching, you tell me what you want from each week and we’ll go from there.
Coaching packages can be bought on a monthly basis, and one coaching package costs £250 per month. You can choose to have one coaching course or you can arrange for back-to-back coaching courses (I have some writers who’ve been working with me for 12 months so far). These courses are tailored to your own individual needs, and if you wish, we can work on different projects across the course.
To book, please email me at Madeline@MadelineDyer.co.uk
Editorial Services
– Developmental editorial evaluation: £8 per 1,000 words. You will receive a developmental editorial report of your completed manuscript (one round of edits).
– Line and copyediting are only taken on in a case-by-case basis and/or for authors that I have worked with before.
If you have other editorial or coaching needs, please get in touch!
To book, please email me at Madeline@MadelineDyer.co.uk
TESTIMONIALS
“I want to thank you formally for the great class, Narrative Structures. I enjoyed the lectures, readings, and exercises. I bought the books and consider them heirlooms. Our Zoom conference today was beyond the final mile. I needed badly to work on showing versus telling. The class worth [was] every nickel, I got my money’s worth and then some. You were informed and exhaustive. Gearing the assignments to a level I was able to perform gave me confidence. It was rewarding to rewrite to your specifications where my work came out transformed into a piece with balance, clarity, and punch.” – Christopher Bremicker, Narrative Structures Student
“Before taking Madeline’s amazing and informative class, I had only ever really learned about the basic rise, climax, fall structure. Beyond my own writing craft development, this awareness has added so much more to the plays, movies, and television programs I watch—and the text that I read. I now have the knowledge and vocabulary to articulate why some stories capture me and others are dull to my mind. I look forward to taking many more classes from Madeline Dyer. The course was complex, comprehensive, deep, and full of fun.” – Mary Ruetten, Narrative Structures Student
“I have played with writing like singing in the shower, alone and off pitch. The Narrative Structures Class helped me dry off and truly embrace technique to advance my craft. I feel like a writer now. Madeline pays attention to detail, provides a wealth of resources, and offers the perfect combination of humility and expertise. I could ask her questions without feeling embarrassed. Throughout the duration of the course I was stunned at how much I received for the cost and told Madeline more than once, we should pay you more. Madeline is truly brilliant. Gifted and a gift. I am grateful and can’t wait to take another class with her.” – Alicia Luna, Narrative Structures Student
“An informative overview of the asexual and aromantic spectrums, with on-point tips for what to know–and, stereotypes to avoid!–when including asexual and/or aromantic characters in fiction. Most helpful of all are the many book excerpts discussed, including examples of introducing a character’s sexuality as part of their identity, presenting the love interest in an ace-romance story, as well as tackling harmful stereotypes and misconceptions within the narrative.” — Sam Taylor, author of We Are the Fire on Writing Asexual Characters
“Writing Asexual Characters Masterclass by Madeline Dyer is not only an excellent guide. It is a great source of information on asexuality, what it is, what it isn’t, and why representation is so important. Writers will also find useful examples in Madeline’s own work, which encompasses all genres and includes characters all along the asexual spectrum.” — Jane Tesh, author of Ghost Light on Writing Asexual Characters.
“This course was extremely comprehensive and is a great fit for a variety of levels. Madeline does a great job of tailoring the course to your needs and supporting your creative vision. Her kind, thoughtful and intelligent approach makes for a really wonderful class. Highly recommend!” – Jade Small, How to Write a Dystopian Novel Student
“M. Dyer does a thorough job of looking at, not only the parts but the whole of the work when she beta-reads. You’ll get insight and honesty with every comment. She takes real time with each line, with each moment in the manuscript and shares a reader and a writer’s perspective on it.” — E. Mitchell, author, Editorial Client
I highly recommend this course to anyone new to writing dystopians irrespective of their experience in other genres. The comprehensive coursework and Madeline’s razor-sharp feedback will meet writers wherever they are and take them to the next level. – Mary Helen Sheriff, author of Boop and Eve’s Road Trip, How to Write a Dystopian Novel Student
“This is going to sound like an idle compliment but I mean it with all my heart— you’re the best editor I’ve ever had. Like seriously everything I’m implementing is making this story so much better. Your notes have encouraged me to go deeper in so many ways. I basically want to hire you for all my future books.” – Sarah Anderson, author of the Starstruck Saga and Aix Marks the Spot, Editorial Client
“M. Dyer’s critique is worth every penny. She is thorough and tough on the manuscript, but every comment helps make it just a little better, and by the time you’re done, with all her comments and suggestions, you’ll be sure to have a book to be proud of. – Rose Withering, author of Thornburg’s Daughter, Editorial Client
“Madeline’s YA course (and her three-hour thriller course) are hands down the best on-line writing courses I’ve ever done. Madeline is an excellent tutor. The course content is rich with information, with online workshops, exercises and feedback on homework, as well as support if you have any questions. Madeline also offers detailed critique, which has been invaluable. I had an idea for a YA story and by the end of week 6, I had a full plot, chapter by chapter structure and had several scenes ready to go. One of my favourite parts was the opportunity to talk science and ask questions with an expert, as part of the research week. It’s hard to imagine doing all this in six weeks after 4 years of procrastination!
I’m presently on Madeline’s Narrative Structures course and I am loving it. If you’re looking for a writing course, I totally recommend any of Madeline’s courses. They are worth every penny.” – Lottie McKnight, How to Write a Dystopian Novel Student and Narrative Structures Student
