That’s what happened when I walked into Julie Korogodon’s event in Ridgewood, New Jersey—and hugged people I had only ever seen on a screen. Writers I knew. Writers whose words I h…

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Writers often serve as witnesses. They notice what others overlook, ask questions others might not ask, and find meaning in places that can seem ordinary at first glance.

In this month’s Voices issue, our contributing Summiteers invite us to slow down and pay attention—to the wisdom within ourselves, to the unexpected joys found in everyday life, and to …

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There are moments in a writer’s life that feel almost impossible when you’re still in the middle of them.

A project no one around you even knows exists. Years of uncertainty. Waiting. Revising. Continuing to write the next thing while hoping the last thing eventually finds its way.

And then one day, somehow, that screenplay becomes a Netflix film starring…

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Something meaningful is happening on Substack right now.

Writers are showing up not just to publish, but to reconnect with parts of themselves that may have been quiet for a long time.

Their curiosity.
Their voice.
Their creativity.
Their desire to have deeper conversations and build genuine connection around the things they…

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Summiteers can sign up for Okoboji under a special bundled price so we can all enjoy a Story Summit retreat within the retreat.

Hope you’ll join us in Okoboji, and for future Substack live conversations!

Get more from Story Summit in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

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At the start of a brand-new year, many writers are still feeling curious about Substack.

Substack is an amazing tool for writers—not because it’s trendy, but because it puts writing at the center. It’s a place where writers develop and share ideas, and where they cultivate connections with readers and other writers over time.

Writers are using Substack to…

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Two New York Times bestselling authors, Sadeqa Johnson and Julie Cantrell, will be teaching a year-long debut writing class designe…

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At Story Summit, we don’t believe creativity has an expiration date. Stories come to us when we’re ready—not according to age or timeline, but according to the depth and curiosity of our lives. The important thing isn’t when the story arrives, but that we eventually answer the call to write the story that only we can tell.

For many women, the nudge to write a novel doesn’t arrive at age 22 with an MFA program and a tidy life. It arrives at 42, 55, 63, or 71—right in the middle of a beautifully messy, complicated, deeply lived life. Whether your story has lived inside you for years or has just begun to stir, now is the perfect timing to bring it to life.

Bonnie Garmus, author of the international bestseller Lessons in Chemistry, shared in her interview with Story Summit that readers aren’t concerned with an author’s age. They don’t even think about it. They just want to read a great story. The only deadline that exists in telling our story, is the one we impose on ourselves.

Bonnie didn’t publish until her sixties. Her novel went on to become a global phenomenon.

And she’s not alone.

Recently Julie Cantrell, Co-Director of Story Summit, interviewed NYT Bestselling Author Alka Joshi, who published her first novel, The Henna Artist, in her 60s.

Alka shared that writing a novel wasn’t a lifelong plan. It was really more of an accident. It emerged from a moment of upheaval—after 12 years running an advertising agency, during the 2008 recession, when business collapsed and she suddenly had space to ask:

What else could I learn? What else could I create?

In Alka’s case, she used fiction to give her mother, the inspiration for her main character, the life she never had—a life of choice, freedom, and possibility. She shares more about why she chose fiction and the importance of women encouraging and supporting one another in sharing our stories.

By midlife, you’ve lived enough for three novels. You’ve survived things you never thought you would. You see people and the world around you more clearly. You understand nuance. You’ve developed wisdom, humor, discernment, grit, and compassion—everything fiction requires.

And the publishing world is embracing this. In addition to Bonnie and Alka, here are women who have achieved great success publishing their first novel at 40+ :

• Delia Owens — Where the Crawdads Sing (debut novel at 69)

• Sue Monk Kidd — The Secret Life of Bees (published at 53)

• Toni Morrison — first novel at 39, Pulitzer Prize for Fiction at 57, and Nobel Prize in Literature at 62

• Mary Wesley — published her first adult novel at 70

• Laura Ingalls Wilder — published her first book at 64

If something inside you is saying, “maybe now is my time,” Story Summit is here to support you on your journey to writing your debut novel.

As an added bonus, paid subscribers can view the full Story Summit interview with Alka Joshi at the bottom of this page. Not a paid subscriber? Upgrade your subscription for access, plus many more bonuses to come.

Subscribe or Upgrade

Novel Writing Support and Free-Takeaway

If you’ve ever wondered about whether or not you could write a novel…if you have a story inside you that needs to be told…Story Summit’s Write Your Debut Novel year-long program could be right for you.

Find out for yourself. Join us for FREE by clicking on the image below:

During this warm, supportive conversation, you’ll learn:

• What this guided year-long journey includes

• Who the program is designed for

• How the coursework and feedback are structured

• What kind of time investment is realistic

• What support systems are in place

• Which payment options are available

Plus, you’ll meet our co-instructors and learn more about the additional VIP guest instructors you’ll learn from LIVE throughout your journey.

This is a no-pressure, come-as-you-are session to help you understand whether this program is the right fit for you.

Register for the FREE Q&A and you’ll receive a Debut Novel Quick Start Guide, regardless of whether you sign-up for the annual Write Your Debut Novel year long program.

In the meantime, remember:

• Your story is not behind schedule.

• It’s never too late to share your voice.

• Your perspective is not outdated.

• Your age is not an obstacle—it’s your superpower.

Like countless women whose stories changed the world because they were finally written and shared.

All the world is waiting for is for you to begin.

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During a recent Story Summit Book & Film Club session, we had the joy of welcoming Karen Schaler — Emmy Award–winning journalist, bestselling author, screenwriter, and the creative force behind some of the most beloved modern Christmas stories, including Netflix’s A Christmas Prince, Hallmark’s Christmas Camp series, and multiple Lifetime features.

Karen joined us to introduce her newest novel, A Ruff Royal Christmas, a cozy, heartfelt holiday adventure featuring a royal family, a spirited border collie, and a heroine determined to prove herself. It’s classic Karen: warm, funny, emotional, and grounded in the kind of universal truths that keep readers and viewers coming back year after year.

That grounding is exactly what she emphasized during our discussion.

Early in the session, Karen shared a line that became the heartbeat of the entire conversation:

“It’s not about tropes — it’s about truth.”

We all know the familiar holiday beats — small towns, snowstorms, royal balls, the grumpy vs. sunshine pairing, a last-minute Christmas miracle. Those elements are fun, comforting, and instantly recognizable. They’re part of why readers flock to holiday stories in the first place.

But tropes alone aren’t enough.
A trope is the decoration.
Truth is the tree.

Karen reminded us that the stories that resonate — the ones that get published, optioned, streamed, reread, or rewatched every year — do so because they tap into something deeply human beneath the twinkle lights:

• the loneliness someone hides during the holidays

• the longing to belong

• the fear of disappointing people

• the hope that change is still possible

• the courage it takes to reconnect

• the reminder that love, in all its messy forms, is still worth believing in

Audiences don’t return to Christmas stories for the snow. They return because they see themselves — their flaws, their dreams, their heartbreaks, their resilience — wrapped inside a world that feels safe enough to let those truths come forward.

That is what Karen means by writing from truth.

When you start from emotional honesty rather than from trope-checking, the tropes naturally fall into place in a fresher, more meaningful way. The story begins to feel both classic and new — and that’s exactly what producers and readers are looking for.

For more from Karen, visit her Website or Substack.

And… a Quick Invitation

If this conversation has you inspired, you’ll love what’s coming next.

Tonight kicks off our brand-new Story Summit holiday program:

A joyful, craft-focused, hands-on writing experience designed to help you create your own holiday screenplay.

And the best part?

and Joany Kane will be our featured instructors. Joany is the writer of The Christmas Card, which started the holiday movie craze, plus 17 other Christmas movies.

Together, they’ll walk you through the ins and outs of holiday screenplays, help you polish your own script, and share insider secrets from the thriving world of holiday movies.

Whether you’re dreaming of writing a cozy holiday romance, a heartfelt family story, or a made-for-TV-style script, you’ll walk away with:

• a strong holiday concept

• a clear character arc

• meaningful stakes wrapped in seasonal magic

• a polished logline

• real next steps toward a story that sparkles on the page

You’ll also learn how to create a pitch-perfect one-pager to sell your holiday screenplay — and you’ll get to attend a live pitch session with holiday producers via Zoom, observing what works, what doesn’t, and how real industry conversations unfold.

Seats are still open — and class begins tonight, December 2.
The program continues on December 3, 9, and 16.

And a little secret?
Holiday writing is one of Story Summit’s most popular and beloved genres.
These classes are always filled with energy, inspiration, laughter, and a warm community of writers who genuinely root for each other. It’s festive, it’s fun, and it’s one of the most joyful creative spaces we offer all year.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start your own Christmas story… this is it.

Join us for Lights, Action, Christmas!

Plus, A Bonus PDF Download for Our Paid Subscribers

Holiday stories shine when their emotional stakes feel real, fresh, and meaningful — and nothing strengthens a story faster than sharpening the conflict at its core. To help you spark new ideas and deepen the emotional arcs in your Christmas writing, paid subscribers can download this special resource: 20 Spark-Starters: Holiday Conflict Prompts.

These prompts are crafted to help you instantly elevate tension, raise the stakes, and tap into the emotional truth Karen Schaler talked about in her Book & Film Club Session. It’s a simple tool — but a powerful one. And it’s yours as an extra perk below.

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Welcome back to Story Summit Voices, where we highlight work from our vibrant community of writers—stories rooted in craft, heart, and lived experience.

Today’s piece comes from , a writer and researcher fascinated by the way food connects us across time. This essay—part of her ongoing project A Sense of Occasion—invites us into a small-town café, a lega…

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Most people come to Substack because they want a place to write. But by the time they finish their first few posts, they begin to feel something they weren’t expecting:

It’s not enough to write.
You have to understand how readers actually experience your writing.

This single shift is where beginners stop floundering and start gaining traction.

It’s also the…

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In today’s publishing world, self-publishing—done well—is a professional, empowering path for authors who want creative control, speed, and connection.

The Shift Is Real

Once upon a time, “self-publishing” sounded like a last resort. Today, it’s a bold, strategic choice.

In the first session of our new Self-Publishing for Beginners series, bestselling auth…

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When comedian Dena Blizzard takes the stage—or the Zoom square—she knows how to grab attention. She’s hosted Miss America, bantered with Anderson Cooper, and built a loyal audience of 25,000 who show up weekly for her online “Tipsy Tuesday.” (“No really,” she laughed, “I get drunk on the internet and people join me. It’s a thing.”)

During Pitching with Authentic Purpose: A Fun and Practical Guide—part of Story Summit’s 10 Ways to Promote Yourself annual series—guest instructor Dena Blizzard, showed writers that pitching doesn’t have to feel like punishment. A comedian, host, and founder of the “Tell Me in Two” speaking classes, Dena used her signature humor and energy to show how to turn pitching into a repeatable, human moment: focus your message, practice until it feels natural, and approach every pitch with authenticity and even a little fun.

“You’ve written something amazing,” Dena told us. “Now what? How do you talk about it so someone else wants to read it?

Her answer: Start with the CBT Method.

The CBT Method: Connection, Body, Tell Me in Two

Dena’s approach borrows from comedy, where every performance is about rhythm, clarity, and impact.

• Connection – Your first job is to get people leaning in. That could be a surprising personal detail or a quirky fact. As Dena put it: “Specifics make your story stick. Broad strokes don’t make people care.” Delightfully odd details, like being accused of impersonating the First Lady of Guatemala (falsely) or how you survived accidentally eating poison oak, help people remember you and want to hear more.

• Body Language – You don’t have to be polished like a news anchor, but you do need to look alive. Position your camera so your face is centered, glance at your notes without burying yourself in them, and keep eye contact flowing. “I hosted Miss America with 15,000 people in the arena,” Dena shared. “The trick is you look up, grab a line, then connect back to the room. It works on Zoom too.”

• Tell Me in Two – The crown jewel of her method. If you can’t deliver your story or pitch in two minutes, four minutes won’t save you. Comedy teaches this: you earn longer sets only after you master the short ones. “It took me eight months to write one decent joke,” Dena admitted. “But once I cracked the structure, everything else built from there.”

For Dena’s step-by-step breakdown of how to construct a powerful two-minute pitch, and more, upgrade to a paid subscription.

Subscribe now

By the end of the session, everyone had laughed, swapped stories, and practiced sharper, more memorable introductions. Dena’s reminder was simple but powerful: connection—not perfection—sells your story. And nailing your delivery comes from putting yourself out there, then practice, practice, practice.

More from Dena Blizzard:

https://substack.com/@denablizzard

https://www.onefunnymother.com/

There are two important classes remaining in the year-long “10 Ways to Promote Yourself” series, and you can still sign up for individual classes. October 7^th, join us for From Blog to Global Impact: Turning Small Beginnings Into Global Impact and November 4^th, Before and After the Book Deal: Navigating Every Stage of Your Writing Career.

Unlock the Full Pitch Kit

Upgrade to a paid subscription to access Your Ready-to-Use Pitch Kit from Dena Blizzard. Inside, she breaks down her step-by-step Sandwich Technique for delivering a pitch with clarity and confidence in two minutes or less. She also shares an additional insider tip and gives you two practice exercises to sharpen your pitching skills right away.

PAID SUBSCRIBERS: Scroll to the bottom for your Pitch Kit.

Subscribe now

Class highlights and features are part of our ongoing Story Summit Substack column, where faculty and guest speakers share valuable professional insights, allowing writers at every level to hone their craft and be part of an encouraging and supportive writing community.

More from Story Summit…

Here are a few of our upcoming classes and events. Check out the complete schedule at www.storysummit.us.

Screenwriting Craft

September 18, 25. October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. November 6, 2025:

Write Your First Screenplay with Rex McGee

(This class has already begun, but you can still sign up and receive the video link to any class recordings you missed.)

Have you written your first script? Just starting to write one? Wanting to finally adapt that memoir or novel into a screenplay?

​Write Your First Screenplay is the right place for you. You’ll learn the screenwriting fundamentals, how to create an emotional connection with the reader and audience, and develop your all-important writing voice into the screenplay.

Writer’s Retreat

September 28 - October 1:

Okoboji Writers’ & Songwriters’ Retreat V

Founded by Julie Gammack, a partner of Story Summit, the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat takes place in northwest Iowa, nestled in a wooded setting along a sparkling resort lake. With 50 faculty members teaching in every genre, the retreat offers not only craft and inspiration but also camaraderie, fun, and renewal at one of the most beautiful times of year in the Midwest.

Storytelling Craft

October 1, 8, 15, & 22:

Beginning Storytelling for Writers: The Four Pillars with Lyn Liao Butler

Every great story—whether novel, memoir, or screenplay—rests on four essential pillars: character, plot, setting, and theme. In this highly interactive four-week course, you’ll learn how to build each one with clarity, creativity, and purpose. Think of it as the blueprint for your writing journey, saving yourself months (or even years) of trial, error, and rejection by mastering the fundamentals from the start.

​This is the first course in our new tiered storytelling program, with intermediate and advanced levels launching in the new year. By beginning here, you’ll be building the solid foundation every successful writer needs.

Learn more about Story Summit All-Inclusive Membership, which gives you access to the entire class roster, VIP speakers, Faculty Coaching Sessions, Write Together sessions, agent pitching sessions, and so much more!

​Visit our website or download the Story Summit App for Android or Apple for timely announcements on upcoming classes and so much more.

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Whether they’re describing the outrageous, laugh-out-loud chaos of first-time parenting told through the lens of a fairy-tale gone sideways, or the tender, memory-woven reflections of childhood that remind us where we come from, these two Summiteers capture what it means to navigate life’s defining moments.

Chase Norman delivers humor with bite and hear…

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Every writer wrestles with two questions: How do I build a story that works? and How do I get it into the world? At Story Summit, those questions are answered from both sides of the creative spectrum. Legendary screenwriter Carl Ellsworth insists the secret to a strong script is not in fixing the “saggy middle”, like so many people believe.

Meanwhile, Pamela Yaco—publishing fantasy as Kit Danforth—shows how she turned her manuscript into a debut release by founding her own publishing company and treating publishing like a business.

Put together, their insights remind us that a writer’s journey requires both a gripping problem on the page and a bold plan off the page.

What’s Your Problem?

Why the End of Act One Is the Fulcrum That Lifts Your Story

Every writer has felt it—that moment somewhere in the middle of a draft when the story starts to wobble. The dreaded Act Two wasteland. Suddenly the energy dips, the pages drag, and you wonder if you’ll ever reach the ending you envisioned. Legendary screenwriter Carl Ellsworth (whose credits include Unhinged, Disturbia ,and Red Eye) argues that this isn’t really a “middle” problem at all. The real culprit? A weak Act One turn.

Ellsworth calls the end of Act One the fulcrum of your story. Using a lever metaphor, he explained that the stronger and clearer the protagonist’s “big problem” at that point, the easier it becomes to propel the rest of the narrative forward. A wobbly fulcrum creates sagging second acts. A strong one? It practically launches the story into being.

Stakes, Antagonists, and Ordinary Heroes

Ellsworth emphasized that stakes should always feel life-or-death. Sometimes that’s literal survival like in Apollo 13, but often it’s emotional or internal like Clark Griswold’s dream of a perfect Christmas in Christmas Vacation. What matters is that the stakes feel like life-or-death to the character—and that the audience believes it, too.

Another practical tip: Always be able to answer the question “What does the bad guy want?” Whether it’s money, power, or simply to ruin the hero’s day, the antagonist’s clarity shapes the hero’s problem. Without that tension, the fulcrum collapses.

And finally, relatability counts. The most gripping stories often feature ordinary characters in extraordinary circumstances—mothers in panic rooms, off-duty cops at Christmas parties, everyday people suddenly forced to face impossible odds. That’s what keeps audiences leaning forward.

FOR OUR PAID SUBSCRIBERS - Scroll to the bottom for more tips from Carl Ellsworth on the inciting incident vs. the Act One turn, his three Ms to keep the engine of your story running, and a FREE downloadable pdf: A Quick Reference Guide to Strengthen Your Story’s Foundation.

Not a paid subscriber? Upgrade now for instant access. It’s just $8 a month for invaluable writing tips in every Story Summit Substack.

Subscribe now

How a Story Summit Author Turned a Finished Manuscript Into a Launch

The Top 9 Tips She Shared From Her Path

If you’re a writer looking for a pragmatic, energizing roadmap from draft to debut, Pamela Yaco—also know as Kit Danforth, the creator of the Immortal Alchemy Series and author of Soul Binder —laid it out with candor. Here are the core takeaways from her Story Summit conversation, distilled for anyone ready to move from “almost there” to “out in the world.”

1. Craft first, then everything else.
“Do your work first—write the best book you can,” Kit said. Invest where it counts: developmental edits, copyedits, and honest readers. (Think alpha readers for early direction, beta readers for readiness.)

2. Community accelerates everything.
Kit credits Story Summit’s mentors and peers for momentum and courage. David Kirkpatrick’s mantra—“It only takes one person to say yes”—became her turning point. Workshops, spotlight sessions, and peer networks shorten the learning curve and expand your opportunities.

3. Treat publishing like a business—because it is.
Pamela formed Danforth & Company, LLC in January and published her debut in May. Her guidance: Learn the mechanics yourself, like copyright page requirements and metadata/keywords.

4. Platform isn’t optional. Start now.
“People want to engage with writers,” she noted, pointing especially to Instagram and the bookstagram community. Show up consistently, share progress, and make it easy for readers to follow your journey.

5. Video is your new storefront.
Short-form video drives discovery (BookTok, Reels). Pamela and her son built AI-assisted, film-style trailers using OpenArt, Midjourney, and DaVinci Resolve to create character-consistent, one-minute mood pieces.

6. Readers really, truly love books.
A bookstagram tour reminded her how deeply readers welcome new stories: “We must not forget, we are going to bring joy to someone because they have a new book.” That enthusiasm fuels word of mouth, clubs, and early reviews.

7. Use Goodreads strategically.
Guided by a marketer, Pamela ran a Goodreads giveaway that drew over 26,000 entries and thousands of “to-read” adds—an immediate awareness boost with downstream benefits (blog updates, follow notifications, ongoing visibility).

8. Think series, think world, think hook.
Her Immortal Alchemy world began with the question “For whom does immortality serve?”—a sharp, thematic hook that powers continuity across titles and marketing assets. Start with your big idea first; then build.

9. Keep going.
From screenplay pitch to Disney to finished novels, Kit’s arc is persistence embodied. “Even if nobody ever reads one line of your book, you’re still going to write.”

If you want structure, feedback, and a supportive network while you put these playbooks into action, Story Summit classes and community are designed for exactly this—craft, career, and courage working together.

The above class highlights are part of our ongoing Story Summit Substack Column, in which faculty and guest speakers share valuable professional insights, allowing writers at every level to hone their craft and be part of an encouraging and supportive writing community.

Subscribe now

Don’t miss these Story Summit classes

Here are a few of our upcoming classes and events. Check out the complete schedule at www.storysummit.us.

Community Support

September 17: We See You, We Hear You with Debra Engle & Stacey Powells

Writing can break you open, revealing both the pain and preciousness of life. If you have something you need to write, say, and share—if you have something hidden deep or tucked away—this is a safe space to express yourself. Through prompts, reading, and guided meditations, Story Summit is offering up this free monthly session as a gift to every woman who wants the comfort of community.

Screenwriting 101

September 18—November 6: Write Your First Screenplay with Rex McGee

This eight-week live, interactive workshop is taught by produced screenwriter, script consultant, and and protégé of Billy Wilder—Rex McGee.

You’ll learn the screenwriting fundamentals, how to create an emotional connection with the reader and audience, and how to develop your all-important writing voice into the screenplay.

​"Rex McGee is a world-class instructor. A clutch of his students was so inspired that they kept the spirit of his class going, meeting every other week for five years after his class ended. He is a treasure and a gentle and realistic instructor. Just do it. And, he is a really swell guy to boot." —SMU student

Writer’s Retreat

September 28, 29, 30 & October 1: Okoboji Writers’ & Songwriters’ Retreat, founded by Julie Gammack

A partner of Story Summit, this retreat is an annual multi-day gathering held at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory on the shores of West Lake Okoboji, welcoming writers and songwriters of all skill levels—from memoirists and novelists to journalists and lyricists—as they explore their craft through panels, small-group workshops, and community-building activities. Set in a serene lakefront environment, the retreat offers inspiration, instruction, and storytelling across genres, with opportunities for interactive sessions, networking, and creative rejuvenation.

​Visit our website or download the Story Summit App for Android or Apple for timely announcements on upcoming classes and so much more.

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Learn more about Story Summit All-Inclusive Membership, which gives you access to the entire class roster, VIP speakers, faculty coaching sessions, Write Together sessions, agent pitching sessions, and so much more.

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Why I Hope You’ll Join the Story Summit Community Today

I just came home from the Story Summit Her Spirit writing retreat in Santa Cruz, California, and my heart is still full. The energy of being surrounded by writers and mentors who are brave enough to…

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Welcome to our living anthology, celebrating and supporting the talent of the emerging and seasoned writers of Story Summit.

In this issue, three powerful voices bring us into the heart of struggle, resilience, and unexpected transformation. These pieces remind us that a shift in sight doesn’t erase the struggle, but it can reveal a hidden strength, a de…

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