WHAT’S NEW?

• Barbara has completed her latest novel, BIRTHRIGHT, a political thriller set in New York and Israel, and is now hard at work on a new novel. Her agent is Gail Hochman of Brandt and Hochman Literary Agents Inc.
• Barbara is delighted to announce the launch of www.nextlevelworkshop.com, a new website devoted to her teaching and editing work. In addition to the two workshops currently listed, two new ones are in the works: “One Good Scene” and “Selling Your Fiction.” She also offers a manuscript evaluation service for novelists who want frank, professional feedback on their work from someone who has been an editor and literary agent as well as a novelist.
• Barbara will be teaching several on-line writing courses in 2008. On May 8, she will lead “Focus on the Novel,” for Writers’ Digest’s online school. This class is most suitable for writers working on their first novels who want some guidance and feedback. After eight two-week sessions, students will have an opening for their novels, several pivotal scenes, a cast of characters, and a well-organized plan for continuing. If you sign up for the class, use code BR407 for a 10% discount.
• For more advanced students who’ve completed at least a first draft of their novels or body of short stories, Barbara will also be offering her acclaimed Next Level “Revising Fiction” workshop. (See comments from former students.) This intensive 8-session workshop provides a step-by-step guide to getting from first draft to finished manuscript, along with instructor and peer critiques. The workshop requires a significant commitment of time, but the reward is commensurate with the effort, for students invariably emerge from it with work that is far more polished and coherent than their previous versions. Class size is strictly limited and applicants are asked to submit a writing sample. This class will begin on May 29, 2008. Writers interested in applying are invited to contact Barbara.