Ascent 2015 Writing Track

Ascent guides you on the right steps, starting with the seedfire of your book concept

We offer

Writing Intensive Workshops
Private Tutorials

Mentoring
in our Guided Writing Program

Other custom services include

Book design
Website development

Marketing and promotional support

Publishing pitch and proposal writing

Our aspiration is to help you reach your aspiration.

 

Program Overview

Ascent is an international coaching program for authors, who want to reach success at writing and publishing.

PRESENTERS

Our presenters and coaches are writing and publishing professionals, with decades of experience in training writers for careers in publishing.

David Hazard, bestselling author, writing coach, and former publishing executive - and founder of Ascent - is your guide. Meet David Hazard

Meet our Associate Presenters and Coaches.

We train men and women, professionals and everyday people, from all around the world in the art of writing and the business of publishing. Join us, and learn why authors from the United States, Asia, Africa and Europe choose our classic mentorship program.

Working with Ascent’s coaches you will learn creative writing techniques to help launch your writing project, starting with participation in one of our Writers’ Intensive Workshop or with a Private Tutorial.

Either choice makes a great beginning to our full Guided Writing Program. Start today and receive monthly coaching from a seasoned writing and publishing professional.

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

PART 1 Alternative: Writers’ Private Tutorial

Schedule a Private Tutorial and jumpstart the manuscript you want to start… or move toward completion. This one-day intensive will equip you to write on your own. Find out more

Completion of a Part 1 training prepares you for Part 2.

Jeff VanVonderenDavid 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 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)

PART 2:
Guided Writing Program

For ten months, 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

 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Stormie Omartian

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

Photo: Dan Sheehan
Cover: After Action

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

[A] sensitive and intensely presented memoir... Sheehan's vivid prose conveys the turmoil and danger of piloting a combat helicopter and the special psychology of fighting, but his real story lies in dealing with the return to “normal” life....

Sheehan presents with brutal clarity the illusory assumption that veterans can easily resume their prewar identities, and the impediments that the culture of wartime present to those needing assistance in adjusting to civilian life.... His writing and recommendations deserve the attention of anyone interested in this important issue, which is as topical as tomorrow’s headlines.

— Starred Review, Publishers Weekly Select

We Also Offer
boot print on the moon

Coaching for Executives

Executives who write discover that a well-written book has power — as a way to open new doors, make an important contribution, capstone a career, create a legacy, break ground with new innovative thinking or practical wisdom from experience.

Ascent’s coaching for executives will help you shape the power of your ideas, wisdom and experience into a book that makes an impact in your field … and sells. Learn more.


Japanese paper lantern celebration

Author and Book Launch Services

When your manuscript is completed … we can help you rise above the competition.

Ascent offers author and book launch services to support your success at publishing or self-publishing. From webpage designs, media kits, to book design and development, we add creative fire to your presentation that will launch your career in publishing. Learn more.

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The Ascent Adirondack Writing Sojourn

adirondack 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 2015

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