Course Syllabus

Course Description

Statistics from the American Bookseller Association and Book Industry Study Group show that women's fiction makes up 40 percent of adult popular fiction sold in the United States. It also makes up about 60 percent of adult popular fiction paperbacks sold. A recent Gallup Poll shows that women's fiction is a 24 billion dollar industry. Wowza!

So what is women's fiction, exactly? Well, according to Women's Fiction Defined, women's fiction "is a book about a woman or women... The protagonist's journey is about self-discovery, self-preservation, self-acceptance, or self-improvement. And this journey is taken in the company of others who affect the main character, influence her, but do not save her. In women's fiction, the main character saves herself."

And, according to the Romance Writers of America, women's fiction is: "a commercial novel about a woman on the brink of life change and personal growth. Her journey details emotional reflection and action that transforms her and her relationships with others, and includes a hopeful/upbeat ending with regard to her romantic relationship."

So, basically women's fiction is just that: fiction about women's issues written for a female readership. But note that it is not the same as chick lit or romance. Because, while women's fiction does utilize literary prose, it is very commercial in its appeal. The characters of this genre are often women attempting to overcome both personal and external adversity.

In this course, we're going to show you how to write creative women's fiction. We're going to review what is how and how to create a compelling story step-by-step. Don't worry if you have no prior experience, we will start at the beginning and move up from there until you have the confidence and ability to master writing great women's fiction. So join us today!

Completely Online
Self-Paced
Printable Lessons
Full HD Video
6 Months to Complete
24/7 Availability
Start Anytime
PC & Mac Compatible
Android & iOS Friendly
Accredited CEUs

Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

Describe what, exactly, is women's fiction.
Demonstrate setting your work schedule and dumping writer's block.
Describe subgenres of women's fiction.
Describe the rules of women's fiction.
Summarize common themes of women's fiction.
Demonstrate choosing and writing your central character.
Describe positive aspects of women's fiction.
Identify common threads and big picture thinking.
Demonstrate setting the scene, plotting your course, and using subplots.
Summarize publishing guidelines for women's fiction and dealing with agents.
Demonstrate writing query letters for your work.
Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Assessment Guide

Assessment	Points
Assignment 1A	1 points
Assignment 1B	100 points
Lesson 1 Quiz	5 points
Assignment 2A	100 points
Assignment 2B	100 points
Lesson 2 Quiz	5 points
Assignment 3A	100 points
Assignment 3B	100 points
Lesson 3 Quiz	4 points
Assignment 4A	100 points
Assignment 4B	100 points
Lesson 4 Quiz	3 points
Assignment 5	100 points
Lesson 5 Quiz	3 points
Assignment 6A	100 points
Assignment 6B	100 points
Character Building Worksheet	5 points
Lesson 6 Quiz	5 points
Assignment 7	100 points
Lesson 7 Quiz	4 points
Assignment 8A	100 points
Assignment 8B	100 points
Lesson 8 Exam	3 points
Assignment 9	100 points
Lesson 9 Quiz	3 points
Assignment 10	100 points
Lesson 10 Quiz	4 points
Assignment 11A	100 points
Assignment 11B	100 points
Lesson 11 Quiz	4 points
Assignment 12	100 points
Lesson 12 Quiz	4 points
Assignment 13	100 points
Lesson 13 Quiz	4 points
Assignment 14	100 points
Lesson 14 Exam	5 points
Assignment 15	100 points
Lesson 15 Exam	4 points
Assignment 16	100 points