Christopher Klim frequently addresses audiences, inspiring listeners with his unique insights and unusual path to success. His experience ranges beyond that of a highly praised author with careers that include space program physicist, journalist, magazine entrepreneur, and college professor.

The author's learning and critiquing sessions are one day and multi-week seminars, which are greeted with a great deal of success and enthusiasm. Mr. Klim strips away the hype and delivers the essence of modern storytelling to potential authors of fiction and creative nonfiction. For intensive critique and instruction, consider his mentor program.

Read testimonials for writing programs with Christopher Klim.

His Popular Workshops:

Fiction/Memoir Writing Techniques

Storytelling evokes the writer's responsibility to entertain, and modern readers demand sharply focused stories. Learn techniques to engage and sustain a reader's interest, while developing the basic framework for a contemporary work of fiction or memoir. Most students exit the class with a promising story opening. (6 evening sessions)

Fiction/Memoir Writing Workshop

Emphasizing the basic techniques of character, setting, plot, and point of view, writers develop skills during interactive classroom writing exercises. Expand your creativity, while learning how to build story elements from the ground up. Two writing sessions per class. Recommended prerequisite: Fiction/Memoir Writing Techniques. (6 evening sessions)

The Nonfiction Book Project

Learn key aspects of contemporary nonfiction, including development, structure, proposals, and marketing concepts. The writer is encouraged to market and sell his nonfiction book concept prior to drafting the bulk of the material. He/She must have a toolbox of marketing devices at the ready. Uncover and investigate worthy nonfiction book projects by employing an analytical approach to testing book concepts. Build a cogent nonfiction structure that attracts editors and readers. (3 hour session)

Desperate People

Learn to craft memorable characters with compelling desires that define their own stories. Uncover the core agendas and motivations of your story people. Christopher Klim is an author, master’s writing teacher, and the senior editor of Writers Notes Magazine and will answer your publishing and writing questions. (one day session)

Writer’s Critique

Experience reading and listening to your fiction and nonfiction work. This is a serious and respectful writing critique forum, which is guided by a published author, journalist, and master’s writing teacher. Please bring a manuscript, a copy of your favorite short work, and a blank audiocassette to the first class. Limited to 8 students. (4-6 evening sessions)

How to Get Published

Learn how to attract editors, agents, and ultimately readers in the modern fiction and memoir market. This intensive one day seminar covers the essentials of story craft, preparing your work for publication, and penetrating the highly competitive publishing industry. The author reveals hard-won tips and practical advice that can enhance your chances of reaching publication. NOTE: attendees can submit a single 5-page manuscript for critique according to the following rules without exception: manuscript must be double-spaced, left-justified, at least one inch margins, at least 12 point font, 1,200 word maximum, and include SASE for return comment. (one day session)

Self-Publishing Seminar

The digital revolution has made publishing easier and more accessible than ever. This one day seminar outlines the steps and pitfalls for bringing a finished book to print. Learn about the different self-publishing options, how to prepare a manuscript for print and commercial sales, and marketing considerations for the finished product. Follow a book from design through production and sales. NOTE: attendees can submit a single 5-page manuscript for critique according to the following rules without exception: manuscript must be double-spaced, left-justified, at least one inch margins, at least 12 point font, 1,200 word maximum, and include SASE for return comment. (one day session)

Read testimonials for writing programs with Christopher Klim.

An author visit can help complete your school year. Award-winning author and journalist Christopher Kim enriches the student and faculty experience with speaking engagements, workshops, and residencies for both students and faculty. View the author's school programs brochure or read the information below. The author is also available to autograph books in the popular juvenile fiction series, Firecracker Jones. The author and Hopewell Publications will be happy to work with your school’s particular needs. To book Christopher Klim for an event or discuss fees and terms, visit the author/publisher contact page.

“He absolutely gets everyone involved, even my most hard to reach students.” – Christine Smith, NJ 5th grade teacher.

Inspiring Students

Each year Christopher Klim visits dozens of primary and secondary schools. His fun and engaging style is a student favorite, whether in the classroom, specialized peer groups, or general school assemblies.

Speaking Engagements

The author’s wealth of personal history will reach and inspire students. He is a descendant of Robert E. Lee and the Iroquois Nation. After overcoming a childhood struggle with dyslexia, he launched successful careers in the space program, journalism, and teaching, as well as being the author of several books. He integrates these aspects and others into lively and topical presentations, which often include freedom, choices, self-esteem, and working toward your dreams.

“His speech to our honors writing graduates will be remembered for a long time. Gripping and superb!” – Marcy Devon, NYC high school teacher

Classroom Workshops

The author’s interactive classroom writing workshops are a perennial favorite. Using fun and flexible techniques, he concentrates on the planning and storytelling elements that are essential to all good writing. These sessions have been successful with even the most challenging students.

“We were able to extend his lessons through the rest of the semester.” – Cookie Robertson, PA 6th grade teacher

Educator Workshops

Author visits are not only for students. They can reinforce the curriculum and promote the faculty experience. Christopher Klim is a master’s writing teacher who has mentored many students toward publication. He is also the senior editor of Writers Notes Magazine—an international publication of prose, journalism, and visual arts. He brings his experience as writer, teacher, and editor to faculty workshops, which may include:

Storytelling Essentials
Inspiring Creativity
30-Minute Classroom Exercises
Writing for Children
Memoir Writing
Breaking into Print
Avoiding Writer’s Block

Note: The author has experience in many aspects of writing and publication. He can tailor a workshop to satisfy your specific faculty needs.

Author Residencies

Extended author visits are memorable events for students and teachers alike, an enriching process that reaches beyond the mere aspects of writing. Christopher Klim will design and coordinate a multifaceted program for your school or student peer group that makes the most of individual talents, abilities, and time allotments. Residencies can extend from one month to the entire semester or school year.

Suggested Residency Projects

Residencies can involve a combination of creative writing, journalism, essay, prose, or other areas of the writing craft. Think about stories, debates, plays, and publications. All projects will strengthen essentials writing skills, such as planning, structure, style, language, editing, and presentation. Whenever possible, the author will attach projects to specific classroom modules and reinforce the current syllabus.

Publication Possibilities

Arrangements can be made to publish student work and make it available to parents, the public, or use as part of your fundraising efforts.

Christopher Klim mentors writers of fiction and creative nonfiction who desire to take their work to a higher level. In an individual forum, he focuses on the elements of contemporary storytelling, providing insightful critique of manuscript submissions. Writers receive detailed and personal feedback on what they do well and where they need work, which is something rarely obtained from agents and editors. As writers strengthen their craft, their voice and style emerge in the forefront. There are tools that a writer must acquire to succeed in the publishing business, and this award-winning author reveals them through tailored analysis and practical lessons. Former students have received publishing contracts, published work in magazines such as Fiction, Story, and The London Review, and garnered national writing awards.

Read testimonials for writing programs with Christopher Klim.

How the Program Works

Reviews of short stories, novels, and memoirs occur through the mail. The author is always available for continued discussion via mail or e-mail. He encourages a dialogue on the writer’s specific needs and concerns. Most writers work in short sections at a time–25 to 50 pages–and wait for feedback before submitting the next piece. In general, their writing improves from submission to submission. There is no specific commitment or time limit involved. Elevate your stories and prose at your own pace. And of course, your copyright is always protected while your work is in the author’s hands. For complete information, contact the author.

Nothing replaces working with a successful author, but if you are not ready for one-on-one interaction, let Christopher Klim break down the writing craft for you in Write to Publish: Essentials for the Modern Fiction & Memoir Market.

Christopher Klim offers phone consultations through Writers' Notes online. Interested writers must purchase consulting times of 30 or 60 minutes, and then a consultation time will be arranged at your convenience.

Read testimonials for writing programs with Christopher Klim.

Testimonials (for writing programs with Christopher Klim)

Aspiring writers in search of a teacher and mentor will find Mr. Klim to be: candid and honest in his appraisal of your work; responsive to your needs; inspirational; sincere and therefore trusty; organized and prepared for lectures with high expectations for students; earnest; relevant; keen; literate; intensive; mannerly. – Amelia Blyden, Princeton, NJ

I have seldom been so impressed with any course, either during my undergraduate or graduate studies. Each session was animated; excellent interaction between instructor and students. – Robert Fantina, Skillman, NJ

Christopher Klim has a sense of humor that stretches from silly to cynical. That's a rare gift. He's a restless kind of teacher, always moving toward something more with his students. He's one of those rare teachers who never stops looking inward and never stops inspiring you along the way. It's a privilege to be his student. – Ann Garvey, Princeton, NJ

He helped me to find the story within me without compromising creativity. His book, Write to Publish, his courses and his mentoring program have simply given me a new sense of confidence and invigoration as I go forward with my writing. – Toni Profaci, Hightstown, NJ

His style is clear, and he teaches the practical information that is the heart of the writer’s art. … I look forward to attending other classes of his and would recommend him highly. – Ellen E. Whiting, Esq., Princeton, NJ

Christopher Klim's writer's workshop was filled with ideas about words, characters, settings, plots, motivation, points of view and how to break writer's block. He has earned the right to write and be published. He is a fine teacher and a very good writer. – Dr. Lenore Powell, author of Alzheimer's Disease, A Guide For Families and Caregivers

He revealed publishing secrets, advice I found in no other book or course on writing. – Bob Spinner, New York, NY

The course provided me with a great deal of valuable insight as to a path to follow in getting my work published. – Frank Kelly, Ewing, NJ

He shed light on a trade that often seems like a mystery. His humor and knowledge drove the point home in a direct fashion. I’m a better writer now and closer to being published. – Jane Hertz, Boca Raton, FL

I can’t image my first short story reaching print without Klim’s advice. – Shelly Gaeta, Brooklyn, New York

Klim’s Storytelling class provided a detailed, in-depth look at all the elements that go into writing a terrific short story. At every step he prepared fun and instructive exercises that helped students learn how these elements work. All and all, his class was an excellent and worthwhile writing experience. – D. Kaple, Princeton, NJ

This was exactly what I needed: plain talk, answers, and solutions to my specific writing problems. – Richard Diaz, Pittsburgh, PA

I have been to lots of workshops and unlike some, this time I came away with much good stuff to assimilate. – Nancy Hartog, Princeton, NJ

He was specific and direct. I will use all of his lessons along the way. – Sara Little, Trenton, NJ