Hit Submit
Self-Guided
$35
$25
As a new writer, this class was like finding gold!
How do I submit my work to a literary magazine? What goes into an artist statement for a residency or writing workshop? How do I approach an agent? Designed for fiction writers ready to get their work out into the world, this asynchronous class will answer these questions—and more—about how to present your work and yourself to the editors, agents, and selection committees on the other side of the submit button. You’ll leave armed with the skills you need to prepare your work, organize your submissions, and craft great cover letters and artist statements to use in applications to residencies, MFA programs, writing workshops, and beyond.
In addition to three days of class content, students will also have access to a pre-recorded panel of industry professionals moderated by Lena Valencia with author Rachel Cantor (Good on Paper), Mina Seçkin (managing editor, Apogee Journal), and Jade Wong-Baxter (literary agent, Frances Goldin).
This is a self-directed class. There are no discussion boards or live interaction. Students will have access to the content for one year after purchase.
About Lena Valencia:
Lena Valencia’s fiction has appeared in Ninth Letter, Epiphany, Electric Literature, the anthology Tiny Nightmares, and elsewhere. She is the recipient of a 2019 Elizabeth George Foundation grant and holds an MFA in fiction from The New School. She has taught writing classes at Sackett Street, Catapult, the Hudson Valley Writers’ Center, and One Story. Originally from Los Angeles, she lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she is the managing editor and director of educational programming at One Story and the co-host of the reading series Ditmas Lit. Mystery Lights, her debut short story collection, is forthcoming from Tin House Books in summer 2024. For more information please visit lenavalencia.com.
FAQ
When can I register for this class?
Registration is open now. There is currently no end date.
How does the class work?
Once you purchase the class, you will receive an email with a link to access it on Thinkific, our online learning platform. The class is divided into four sections: Submitting to Literary Magazines, Applying to Residencies, Querying Agents, and the Panel Discussion. Lessons are mostly text-based with some video elements and downloadable resources. You will have access to the content for one year after you purchase the class.
Can I take the class on my phone?
Yes, the class can be taken on a mobile device, but we recommend a computer or tablet to get the most out of the experience.
Are there discussion boards where I can interact with the instructor and other students?
No, unlike some of our other course offerings, this class is completely asynchronous and does not include discussion boards.
Is there homework?
There are some optional exercises designed to help you build out your cover letters, query letters, and artist statements.
How much time will the class take?
Plan to spend about 45 minutes per chapter reviewing the lessons and completing the assignments or exercises. The panel is a little over an hour.
Can I save the material for later use?
There will be some downloadable documents provided by the instructor, but otherwise class content lives on the learning platform. Students are not permitted to copy/paste the lessons to prevent distribution of the material without our knowledge, but are of course welcome to take notes.
Can the instructor give me feedback on my cover letter/artist statement/query?
No. There is no feedback element in this class.
I write nonfiction/poetry. Is this class for me?
Those working on poetry or nonfiction may find some of the information useful, but the class is designed with fiction writers in mind.
I’m a new writer who has never sent work out to a literary magazine. Is this class appropriate for me?
Yes. This class is designed for anyone who is looking to take the next steps in their writing career.
I’ve been published in a few magazines, attended some residencies, and have an agent. Should I take this class?
Though this class is designed for writers of all levels, writers who have experience submitting to magazines, attending residencies, and who already have an agent may find some of the material familiar or unnecessary.
Do you offer financial aid or scholarships for this class?
If the cost of the class is a significant burden, please email edu.support@one-story.com
Troubleshooting FAQ
I paid for the class but never received an email with a class link.
Please visit one-story.thinkific.com/ and enter your email and password. The class should appear on your Thinkific student dashboard. Remember that you will need to use the email address associated with your One Story account. Do not create a new Thinkific account.
I paid for the class but I forgot/don’t know my Thinkific password.
Visit one-story.thinkific.com/ and click “Forgot Password.” Enter the email address connected with your One Story account. Do not create a new Thinkific account.
Discounts & Policies
Our online classes are designed to be safe spaces for all who participate. One Story will not tolerate hate speech, bullying, or harassment directed toward instructors or fellow students, and reserves the right to remove participants who engage in such behavior from our classes.
Patron Discount: In order to qualify for our patron discount, you must be a member of our patron circle at the time of registration. Patrons commit to annual donations and receive benefits that allow them to participate in our non-profit organization in more meaningful ways. Not all One Story subscribers or supporters are patrons. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a patron, you can do so here.
Refund Policy: One Story asynchronous class payment is non-refundable. For questions about the refund policy, or if you are unable to take the class after you have registered, please contact maribeth@one-story.com.
If you have any questions, please contact edu.support@one-story.com.
