Hearts on Paper

A writing workshop for folks who want to write romances

So you love a good love story …

We’re with you. Sometimes in this chaotic world we need a reliable happily-ever-after.

Also, romance has come a long way! It’s no longer just the hetero-normative Harlequins from the grocery store shelves of our youths. It can encompass all types of love, all shades of gender and sexuality, all iterations of what “happily ever after” might mean.

We'll welcome it all in this workshop, inviting writers to explore this genre in their our own voices, visions and values.

Here’s how it works:

In this 6-week workshop, a group of eight writers will dive into different areas of writing romance. From the first meeting to steaming up the windows (however explicit you want to get), we’ll explore plot theory, character development, dialogue, tension, and more.

Some stories may get explicit, and some might end with a chaste kiss. Some might take place in this world, and some might take place in another. Some might work with existing romance tropes, and some might be unlike anything ever written.

We'll share our writing as we go, and we'll have occasional homework to keep the writing going between sessions. The last class will be “show and tell” to share our most exciting scene yet.

- Are currently working on or want to start working on a fictional story with romance at its core.
- Are excited to explore the romance genre and go deeper into their creative process.
- Are motivated by the idea of a community of like-minded romance writers.
- Are ready to hear other romance writers’ work, even if they go a bit further (steamier) than your own story.
- Are excited to hear stories with a wide array of expressions of sexuality, gender identity and relationships.
- Feel aligned with our fundamental beliefs.
- Lots of new writing and progress on a romance story.
- Inspiration for exploring various aspects and tropes in the romance genre.
- Creative courage, and maybe a little heat.
- Encouragement and support from a group of allies, including multiple opportunities to workshop your in-progress work.
- A sense of what’s next in your romance writing journey.
- Critique or competition. We’re all about the love.
- Strict rules or guidelines on what romance stories are or should look like. This class celebrates the vast scope of what exists and what’s possible in this genre.
- A completed book-length manuscript.
- Feedback on already-completed work.

Details:

Coming back Spring 2025! Registration opens on February 4th.

Join our early bird mailing list for early access to registration or sign up for our newsletter.

Cost:

The fee for this 6-session workshop is $495. If you prefer, you can pay in 4 monthly installments of $123.75. Tax will be added for Canadians in your local provincial rate. See our financial policies.

Four times a year, we give out bursaries for our programs to people with financial barriers. Check out our upcoming dates.

If you don’t have a credit card, let us know and we’ll gladly find a way to make it work.

Sign up here:

Join our early bird mailing list for early access to future registration or sign up for our newsletter.

Questions?

Your answer is probably on this page.

Looking for more options?

Take a peek at our small group writing workshops, our large group writing programs, our retreats, and our coaching services.

Credit where credit is due

The photo we’re using to promote this page was taken by Jamez Picard and shared via Unsplash.

What clients are saying…

This workshop was a truly amazing experience. Imagine a place where everyone is writing romance – all perfect, whatever it is. It was empowering - a place to grow, to take risks. There was so much content packed in, all presented like a conversation with options, suggestions and discussion. Each week was a journey, a joy. The last week was incredible – listening, being heard. The facilitator created magic in those hours each week with her kindness, extra effort, and care. She included weekly summaries, documents, encouragement, and fun. I write sapphic romance and was worried about sharing all that, aloud. There was no need, this is a safe and perfect environment to share all your words. They are received and held in that flawless Firefly way. I would take this workshop again in a heartbeat; it was that great.

Shauna A
Writer