Updated 5/25/2012

(Unless otherwise noted, all classes are being taught at the Tampa Bay Phoenix Club in Largo, Florida. Click here for a map link.)

Writing Classes

(Each class is a stand-alone session, so feel free to pick and choose what suits you best.)

Price: Free

Time: 2-4pm

Dates:

Class 1: Sunday 3/25

"Modern Publishing Paradigms" (or, "Oh, Crap, I Can Write and Make Money!"): The face of publishing has radically changed over the past ten years. Bestselling author Tymber Dalton will walk you through the ins and outs of not only pursuing lucrative indie publishing (and saving yourself agent fees), but how to go about self-publishing if that's your intended goal. Topics covered will include effective social marketing methods, querying, writing good blurbs, and other important aspects of modern publishing that leave the big New York traditional houses in the dust.

FetLife Event Link
Facebook Event Link

Class 2: Sunday 4/29

"Controlled Chaos": Brainstorming, mind mapping, plotting and pants-ing, and corralling those pesky characters who seem bound and determined to take your book in a different direction than you'd intended. Ah, but there's more to all of that than just writing down plot points. Learn how to apply conflict and tension and archetypes to your story, how to use them to reverse-engineer your way through writer's block, and more.

FetLife Event Link
Facebook Event Link

Class 3: BEING RESCHEDULED DUE TO MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

"Polish That Baby" (or, "Whadaya Mean Spellcheck Isn't Good Enough?"): The difference between a mediocre manuscript and a good one that will grab editors and/or readers is learning how to effectively self-edit. Learn about the common pitfalls all writers suffer their way through. More importantly, learn how to self-correct your writing while you're creating to help smooth out the editing process later.

FetLife Event Link
Facebook Event Link

Class 4: Sunday 6/24

"Evil Day Job: Writer" (or, "Take This Job and Shove It, You Douchewaffle Boss!"): It is possible to turn your passion into a paying career. Unfortunately, too many fledgling authors take a "magic thinking" approach to authorship and end up flipping burgers after a few rejection slips. Learn successful techniques and mindsets to parlay your love of writing into a sustainable career (or second career if you really like your first one).

FetLife Event Link
Facebook Event Link


DIY Bondage and Toys Class

Do you long to expand your toybox, but pesky things like bills and groceries get in the way? Are you new to the lifestyle and want to start somewhere, but don't have an opportunity to do some full-scale toy shopping right now? Do you wish you could figure out how to make your own toys, but you could hurt yourself with power tools? Do you travel a lot and want easy access to inexpensive toys at your destination without carrying your own and triggering a TSA full body cavity search? Do you have the desire to experiment with making your own toys, but need some ideas to get you jump-started?

This is the class for you! You'll learn how to shop discount and home improvement stores (or even your local grocery store) with an eye for repurposing, off-label uses, or just downright perverting something for kinky deviousness!

This class will also cover safety information on how to properly use the toys you create.

Time: 7-9pm

Dates: 5th Fridays

March 30 FetLife Event Link Facebook Event Link
June 29
Aug 31
Nov 30

Gateway Class

Think of the Gateway class as a BDSM 101 type of experience. A humorous, low-stress introduction, if you will, to not just the lifestyle in general, but also to the dungeon and tools. Regardless of your gender, relationship situation, orientation, or BDSM status -- or even if you're unsure about any or all of the above -- this is the perfect opportunity to get your questions answered by a non-judgmental, experienced member of the community. Newbies will especially enjoy the myth debunking and predator-avoidance sections of the discussion. Feel free to come in street clothes and prepare to laugh at the instructor, yourself, and at the many "wun twu way sacred cows" that will be shot down and served in a delectable stir fry of reason and sanity.

2nd Saturdays at 7pm