Ascent 2012 Writing Track
PART 1 : Writers’ Intensive workshop
Register for one of the lively Writer's Intensives that opens our program each year, enjoy the energy of other writers in a small-group setting and gain new skills that will revolutionize your creative abilities and writing techniques. Find out more
You can register for this workshop only and be better equipped to write on your own. Or you can enroll in our full 2012 Guided Writing Program, which also includes Part 2 and 3 (below).
PART 2: Guided Writing Program
From March through October, our trained publishing professionals will help guide and motivate you, month by month, as you write. You'll also be coached in journaling strategies that increase your creativity and benefit from writing retreat days that advance your skills and your project.
Finally! - you can focus and make headway on that great idea… or finish that manuscript-in-the-works. Find out more
PART 3: Publishing Essentials Seminar
In November, we’ll train you in making your work marketable, and in the art of connecting with literary agents and publishers. Find out more
View our Registration Page Form for Costs.
Register for Parts 1 - 3, and enjoy a reduced fee for the full program.
NEW for 2012:
Executive Coaching Track
Starting with private, personalized, intensive coaching in the style of writing your project requires, our Executive Service is tailored to the individual whose lifestyle or career demands call for one-on-one coaching attention from start to finish. Consult with us to discuss services and pricing.
Limited offering.
David Hazard was the editor on my first three books, and his work went much deeper than the normal editing process. He understood me, and helped to develop my each manuscript from its core concept. This made my writing, and each book, much stronger. Undoubtedly, this helped open doors to my career in television.
—Jeff VanVonderen
Co-host of the Emmy Award-winning program, Intervention (A&E)
David gave me the idea to write the first book in my series for women. David has rare insight. That first huge bestseller launched the whole series that came after. With 14 million books sold, I owe David Hazard much thanks.
—Stormie Omartian
The Workshop helped me to formulate my book concept, something I was having a very hard time with on my own. I came away with focus, an outline, and a plan… . I highly recommend the whole Ascent program.
— Sharon Rainey,
Author of Making a Pearl from the Grit of Life
After drafting a manuscript on my own it's been amazing to go through Ascent's Guided Writing Program. The difference in After Action, between my draft writing and the finished product after coaching, is night and day. I've learned how to connect with an audience. What I wrote before had importance to me. Now it has relevance for other people.
— Dan Sheehan, Iraqi War Vet, Bronze Star recipient
Part 1: Writers’ Intensive Workshops
March 1 - 4, 2012: Winchester, VA Directions
March 15 - 18, 2012: Frederick MD Directions
March 29 - April 1, 2012: Leesburg, VA Directions
The goal of our Intensive Workshops is to help you sharpen-up a creative idea you want to develop, or help you shape a rough work-in-progress.
With 32 hours of lively professional coaching — you’ll gain greater access to your creativity, stronger writing techniques, an outline to develop your work… and a “personal contract” to help you “reach” your writing goals.
We call this Workshop an “intensive” because it’s intensely motivational, creative, and instructive. Come join other aspiring writers in the lively and welcoming atmosphere of a small group setting.
David Hazard, bestselling author, writing coach, and former publishing executive - and founder of Ascent - is your guide to a lively and fun event. Meet David Hazard
Mornings begin with guided “exercises” that will open and focus your creative consciousness.
Full days of lively interactive sessions help you develop strong techniques in both fiction and non-fiction writing.
Short-burst writing exercises punctuate the workshop, to help ignite your creativity while you explore your own writing style. (During one of these sessions, one writer had a youth novel “come to life” inside her. Now she’s eagerly at work on it in our 8-month Guided Writing Program.)
Attendees who submit writing samples will receive a personalized, professional review, with motivational directives for developing your work.
Meet our associate presenters.
You may choose to attend only this event.
Participation in this workshop is recommended before enrolling in Part 2: The Guided Writing Program.
The VanderZee Art Gallery hosts Ascent's Writing Intensive Workshop in Alexandria, Virginia.
Part 2: Guided Writing Program
March 1 - October 31
Our Guided Writing Program keeps you motivated and on-track with your personal writing goals. Month-by-month - for 8 full months - you’ll submit your outlines, drafts, and writings for review. Then you’ll meet with a coach to resolve questions, and keep your words flowing.
Working from your basic concepts, or with a rough manuscript-in-the-works, a professional writing coach will guide you from March through October. (Before entering this program, attendance at one of our Writing Intensive Workshops is recommended.)
Included in the program is a separate training day in Conscious Journaling, a practice that clears your mind and boosts creativity.
Three writing retreat days at the charming and secluded Stone Manor will help you gain ground on your writing project — with more instruction, one-on-one coaching, and peer camaraderie. Dates TBA. If you wish, overnight reservations can be made separately.
Among Ascent’s coast-to-coast network of coaches are bestselling authors and leading editors — each one bringing decades of experience to your writing project.
A unique feature of the Ascent approach is that your monthly “meetings” are conducted via Skype™. You and your writing coach will discuss your writings “face to face” on the internet.
At the outset, you and your coach set a schedule of monthly writing goals, interim deadlines, and end-of-month appointments. Then, each month, you'll submit your work online via email. Then you'll follow up your submission with an online appointment to discuss your work and receive a new set of writing directives.
Along the way, you'll enjoy our motivational "prompts" and personal encouragements.
Return to summary
Part 3: Publishing Essentials
November 10 - 11, 2012 Leesburg, VA Directions
How do you attract a literary agent? How do you captivate a publisher’s interest in your writing? What can you expect in a publishing contract?
Ascent's 2012 Writing Track culminates with this final, two-day workshop in which you’ll learn how to develop a proposal that generates interest among agents and publishers.
You will learn how to create professional pitch letters and proposals that gain you entrée to agents and publishers.
In the 26 years since we attended David’s writing school — which launched our careers in publishing — we have authored more than 60 books. David is a master at the craft of writing, and he knows the publishing field. He also knows how to motivate! His ongoing mentorship over the years has been invaluable. Attend his training school. It’s well worth it!
Geoff and Janet Benge,
Authors of Heroes of History and Christian Heroes series
(over 2,000,000 in print)
The Ascent Adirondack Writing Sojourn
The Sojourn is a very limited-registration event, held annually in the wild beauty and solitude of the Adirondack Mountains. For five days and six nights, enjoy intensive, one-on-one coaching, small-group instruction and constructive critiques… also evenings beside a mountain lake under the stars, listening to a crackling bonfire and the call of loons and other nightbirds. 8 Writers Maximum.
The five-day Adirondack Writing Sojourn is separate from the Writer's Track. Register for the Sojourn here.
September 2012
The wilderness sanctuary allowed me freedom and the comfort to explore writing from the deep heart. This instruction and coaching caused my writing rise to a new level. David's coaching also helped me to maintain that high level of writing — and to protect my creative space — when I returned to my daily life. Along with those gifts... I'll never forget seeing constellations from the dock under a full moon, making s'mores, discussing our writing with each other....And the friends I made during the Adirondack Writing Sojourn are a priceless, unexpected gift!
— J.R., Washington, DC
