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Fiction Writing 6: Authoring a Book, Part 1: How it Works, What it Takes, and How to Succeed (HS 11-6)
Live course taught by Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA for Spring 2026 High School Advanced Fiction Writing & Literary Form (11 and X Series)
Summary

Do you want to publish a book? Get your need-to-know essentials here, for how to be an author -- as you learn what professional authors do every day, what goes into a manuscript, how to write a query letter, what you need to know about agents and publishers, and more…

authoring book 1 photo

NOTICE: This is an older course recorded with Adobe Connect and/or Vimeo recordings.
We are currently working to replace the recordings with new Zoom recordings. 
Please don't hesitate to email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com with any questions.

Instructor: Erin M Brown (AKA Erin Brown Conroy/E.B. Conroy), M.A, M.F.A.

Course Description: This course teaches what it takes to be an author, from personal practices to how to approach the publishing world and contact professionals in the industry. The course will also discuss what it’s like to be a Catholic author today.

 

©2015-2026 Homeschool Connections and Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA (aka author Erin Brown Conroy/E. B. Conroy) All rights reserved.

This course is designed by Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA.

  • This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.

  • You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.

 

7c58a8b46f5c8fbf928eea74a532cf40074507d7.pngTechnical Help: If you experience technical difficulty with watching the recorded classes or have a question about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

Special notes

Series Description: There are eight parts to the Write Your Own Fiction Book Series. Students can jump into this continuing series at any time.

Total classes

4

Class dates

Mondays and Wednesdays, April 20, 22, 27, and 29, 2026.

Starting time

4:00 PM Eastern (3:00 Central; 2:00 Mountain; 1:00 Pacific)

Duration

55 minutes

Prerequisites

None

Suggested credit

One-third (1/3) of a semester credit for Creative Writing or English. Add other writing or literature courses for a full semester credit.

Suggested grade level

High School and Professional/Continuing Education

Outline

Course Outline:

  • Class 1: Personal practices of successful writers

  • Class 2: The manuscript and query

  • Class 3: The platform, marketing, and the Internet

  • Class 4: Agents, publishers, and self-publishing

Materials

  • All materials are provided FREE via the instructor

Homework

LIVE and Instructor Access students will have weekly writing assignments with grading and direct feedback from the instructor (parents will grade Recorded students’ work). Expect an estimated two (2) to four (4) hours per week for homework outside of class time, depending on the student’s ability; homework includes reading, writing, and responding to feedback.

Fees

Fee: For all 4 classes: $99 if you register on or before Nov. 15; $119 if you register after November 15. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $25 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Course name
Fiction Writing 6: Authoring a Book, Part 1: How it Works, What it Takes, and How to Succeed (HS 11-6)
Instructor
Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA
Semester
Spring 2026
Category
Writing ➤ Advanced Fiction Writing & Literary Form (11 and X Series)
Grade levels
High School
Editors
Aubrey Heki, Sharon Hamric-Weis, Bonnie Donlon, Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA, Donna Graziose, Daniel Massett
Monitor
Nicki Knight
Start time
April 20th, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET
Course type
Live
Price
$119
Seats available
25 seats available
Seats remaining
19 seats remaining
Relative due dates
Relative due dates are disabled for this course.
Enhanced quiz security
Enhanced assignment security

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Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA
ebconroy@homeschoolconnections.com

About Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA


Erin M. Brown, MA, MFA, is the creator and Director of the Aquinas Writing Advantage program. She is the author of 22 books (including Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Writing Success) and has been a professional author, editor, and university professor for over 30 years. Professor Brown has been coaching professional authors and writers worldwide, speaks at conferences and webinars often, and is a writing judge for multiple fiction writing/novel writing contests each year.

Professor Brown has been designing online writing courses for students of all ages since the 1990s and has designed the online writing program for three universities. She taught at two universities for 17 years (writing courses, interpersonal communication, management and leadership, and critical thinking). Professor Brown was also the General Education Communications curriculum development lead (writing, communications, critical thinking) for Western Governors University and served almost 20 years as a Senior Global Strategist in writing and as a marketing director.

Professor Brown has a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing/Genre Fiction from Western Colorado University, a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Rehabilitation, and a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree in Education from Western Michigan University. Professor Brown was a homeschooling parent for 34 years and homeschooled 10 children. She lives in Michigan and enjoys writing Science Fiction and Fantasy books in coffee shops, speaking online and at conferences, and walking her dogs.

Click here for more info about Erin Brown!

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Nicki Knight

Ms. Knight is originally from Washington but now calls Arkansas home. She’s a proud mom of two teenagers and a lifelong animal lover—especially chickens and other farm animals. Over the past 4 years, her family has traveled the country in an RV, exploring new places and making great memories!