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ODYSSEY BOAT
ODYSSEY WORKSHOP
Become the writer you've always known you could be.

The Odyssey Writing Workshops Charitable Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed with a simple yet inspiring mission: to help developing writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror improve their work.

If you’re a writer of fantastic fiction, Odyssey’s programs and resources are designed to help you take your writing to the next level. Odyssey is based on the principle that the journey to become the best writer one can be is lifelong. If writers want to reach their full potential, to have their work live and grow along with them, they need to constantly strive to improve. Because of this, the Odyssey Writing Workshops Charitable Trust offers feedback and guidance to writers at all levels, from beginners to successful professionals. Become the writer you’ve always known you could be!

Your Personal Odyssey

Next Sessions Starting
June 5, 2023 (6 weeks)
August 14, 2023 (12 weeks)
November 27, 2023 (18 weeks)

Deadline - March 13, 2023

Have you ever wished that you could attend your own private writing workshop that would teach you exactly what you need to know, at the right pace for you, and respond to your questions, problems, and needs in extensive one-on-one sessions? That's what Your Personal Odyssey Writing Workshop is. We've combined the renowned Odyssey lectures, expert feedback, and deep mentoring to provide an intensive, personalized one-on-one online workshop experience.

ODYSSEY ONLINE

Odyssey’s online classes will provide you with valuable tools and techniques and will guide you as you practice using them.

SERVICES

Odyssey Writing Workshops provides writers of all levels, from beginners to successful pros, in-depth, insightful, professional-level critiques on their work, coaching, and consultations.

resources

RESOURCES

Odyssey makes available Podcasts of Workshop Lectures as well as Writing & Publishing Tips. You can also gather once a month at our Salon and talk writing, or check out the latest news from our Blog.

ONLINE CLASSES

Angled Dialogue:
Crafting Authentic-Sounding Dialogue to Convey Information, Escalate Conflict, and Advance Character-Driven Stories

Course Meets:
Thursdays
Jan 5 – Feb 2, 2023

Instructor:
Gregory Ashe
Application Deadline:
November 21, 2022

One Brick at a Time:
Crafting Compelling Scenes

Course Meets:
Tuesdays
Jan 3 – Jan 31, 2023

Instructor:
Barbara Ashford
Application Deadline:
November 21, 2022

Emotional Truth:
Making Character Emotions Real, Powerful, and Immediate to Readers

Course Meets:
Wednesdays
Jan 4 – Feb 1, 2023

Instructor:
Scott H. Andrews
Application Deadline:
November 21, 2022

THE ODYSSEY BLOG

Gregory Ashe

Interview: Graduate & Guest Lecturer Gregory Ashe

Odyssey graduate and bestselling author Gregory Ashe will be a guest lecturer at this summer’s Odyssey Writing Workshop. Gregory is ...

RSS Odyssey Writing Workshop Blog

  • Interview: Graduate Nicole Magoon
    Nicole Magoon is a 2022 graduate of the Your Personal Odyssey Writing Workshop. She lives in London, by way of innumerable US cities. She has one husband, three children, and four superpowers, including [REDACTED BY GOVERNMENT]. By day she works on “corporate strategy,” which is def vaguely villainous, and by night she writes*. She has […]
  • Odyssey Podcast #159: Steven Barnes
    Odyssey Podcast #159 Odyssey Podcast #159 is an excerpt from a question and answer session with Steven Barnes for Your Personal Odyssey in 2023 in which he discusses speaking your truth and dealing with writer’s block. Steven is a NAACP Image Award winner and New York Times bestselling novelist who has published over three million […]
  • Interview: Graduate Donna Glee Williams
    2011 Odyssey graduate Donna Glee Williams was born in Mexico, the daughter of a Kentucky farm-girl and a Texas large-animal veterinarian. She graduated from Tulane University, then earned an MFA and PhD from Louisiana State University, but it was really her years of wayfaring across twenty countries and four continents that led her to her novels, The […]
  • Odyssey Podcast #158: Steven Barnes
    Odyssey Podcast #158 Odyssey Podcast #158 is an excerpt from a lecture by Steven Barnes for Your Personal Odyssey in 2023 on creating the Hero’s Journey both for your characters and for yourself as a writer, the steps involved, and the change that results. Steven is a NAACP Image Award winner and New York Times […]

THE ODYSSEY EXPERIENCE

I love working with developing writers, helping them to realize their potential and make their work the best it can be.

My experiences over Odyssey's twenty-five previous years have been incredible. Talented writers of all ages, some already published, have come from all across the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Spain, France, Germany, Israel, India, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, and embarked on this epic journey of discovery with me. I've watched students make major breakthroughs during the six weeks, and I've followed their progress after the workshop as they've submitted their work, piled up the rejection slips, made sales, and built wonderful writing careers for themselves.

—Jeanne Cavelos

I love working with developing writers, helping them to realize their potential and make their work the best it can be.

My experiences over Odyssey's twenty-five previous years have been incredible. Talented writers of all ages, some already published, have come from all across the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Spain, France, Germany, Israel, India, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, and embarked on this epic journey of discovery with me. I've watched students make major breakthroughs during the six weeks, and I've followed their progress after the workshop as they've submitted their work, piled up the rejection slips, made sales, and built wonderful writing careers for themselves.

—Jeanne Cavelos

I love working with developing writers, helping them to realize their potential and make their work the best it can be.

My experiences over Odyssey's twenty-five previous years have been incredible. Talented writers of all ages, some already published, have come from all across the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Spain, France, Germany, Israel, India, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, and embarked on this epic journey of discovery with me. I've watched students make major breakthroughs during the six weeks, and I've followed their progress after the workshop as they've submitted their work, piled up the rejection slips, made sales, and built wonderful writing careers for themselves.

—Jeanne Cavelos