Ascent 2010 Writing Track
PART 1 : Writers’ Intensive workshop
Register for one of our February or March “lively intensives” and gain new skills that will revolutionize your creative abilities and writing techniques. Find out more
You can register for this workshop only and be better equipped to write on your own. Or you can enroll in our full program, which also includes Part 2 and 3 (below).
PART 2: Guided Writing Program
From March through October, our trained publishing professionals will help guide and motivate you, month by month, as you write.
Finally! - you can focus and make headway on that great idea… or finish that manuscript-in-the-works. Find out more
PART 3: Publishing Essentials Seminar
In November, we’ll will train you in making your work marketable, and in the art of connecting with literary agents and publishers. Find out more
View our Registration Page Form for Costs.
Register for Parts 1 - 3, and enjoy a reduced fee for the full program.
See you at your book signing!
David Hazard has done us all a great service by bringing the story of Elias Chacour to our attention in Blood Brothers … It reminds us how the great gears of history sometimes grind up the lives of innocent people. Chacour's life demonstrates how one courageous man can illuminate the truth ….
—former U.S. Secretary of State, James A. Baker III
Blood Brothers has been published in 21 languages. After its publication, Elias Chacour became a Nobel Peace Prize nominee.
Read about the Ascent Writing Track
Part 1: Writers’ Intensive Workshops
February 4 - 7: Winchester, VA Directions
February 11 - 14: Alexandria, VA (Old Town) Directions
February 25 - 28: Frederick MD Directions
March 4 - 7: Leesburg, VA Directions
The goal of our Intensive Workshops is to help you sharpen-up a creative idea you want to develop, or help you shape a rough work-in-progress.
Over the course of four days — with 32 hours of professional coaching — you’ll gain greater access to your creativity, stronger writing techniques, an outline to develop your work… and a “personal contract” to help you “stick to” your writing goals.
David Hazard was the editor on my first three books, and his work went much deeper than the normal editing process. He understood me, and helped to develop my each manuscript from its core concept. This made my writing, and each book, much stronger. Undoubtedly, this helped open doors to my career in television.
—Jeff VanVonderen
Author, and co-host of the acclaimed program, Intervention (A&E)
We call this Workshop an “intensive” because it’s intensely motivational, creative, and instructive. Come join other aspiring writers in the lively and welcoming atmosphere of a small-group setting.
David Hazard, bestselling author, writing coach, and former publishing executive - and founder of Ascent - is your guide to a lively and fun event. Meet David Hazard
The Workshop helped me to formulate my book concept, something I was having a very hard time with on my own. I came away with focus, an outline, and a plan… . I highly recommend the whole Ascent program.
— Sharon Rainey, Reston, VA
Author of Making a Pearl from the Grit of Life (due out in 2010)
Mornings begin with guided “exercises” that will open and focus your creative consciousness.
Full days of lively interactive sessions help you develop strong techniques in both fiction and non-fiction writing.
Short-burst writing exercises punctuate workshop, to help ignite your creativity while you explore your own writing style. (During one of these sessions, one writer had a youth novel “come to life” inside her. Now she’s eagerly at work on it in our 8-month Mentorship Program.)
Attendees who submit writing samples will receive a personalized, professional review, with motivational directives for developing your work. Return to summary
You may choose to attend only this event.
Participation in this workshop is recommended before enrolling in Part 2: The Guided Writing Program.
David Hazard gave me the idea to write The Power of a Praying Woman. David has rare insight, and he could see that prayer was, and is, the great passion of my life. That first huge bestseller launched the whole series that came after. With 11 million books sold, I owe David much thanks.
—Stormie Omartian
Part 2: Guided Writing Program
March 1 - October 31
Our Guided Writing Program keeps you motivated and on-track with your personal writing goals. Month-by-month - for 8 full months - you’ll submit your outlines, drafts, and writings for review. Then you’ll meet with a coach to resolve questions, and keep your words flowing.
Working from your basic concepts, or with a rough manuscript-in-the-works, a professional writing coach will guide you from March through October. (Before entering this program, attendance at one of our Writing Intensive Workshops is recommended.)
Even though I am a professional writer by trade, I was much in need of wise, patient, and skilled guidance when it came to developing my book. Thank you, Ascent, for offering this eight-month program to carefully walk me through the long-haul of developing my book manuscript.
— Geary Morris, Falls Church, VA
Among Ascent’s coast-to-coast network of coaches are bestselling authors and leading editors — each one bringing decades of experience to your writing project.
A unique feature of the Ascent approach is that your monthly “meetings” are conducted via Skype™. You and your writing coach will discuss your writings “face to face” on the internet.
At the outset, you and your coach set a schedule of monthly writing goals, interim deadlines, and end-of-month appointments. Then, each month, you'll submit your work online via email. Then you'll follow up your submission with an online appointment to discuss your work and receive a new set of writing directives.
Along the way, you'll enjoy our motivational "prompts" and personal encouragements.
Return to summary
David Hazard became a valued writing coach, and then co-writer during the development of No Compromise, and with his great help it became an international bestseller. David also proved to be a wise friend as we worked together on this very challenging book — which was about the life and death of my late husband Keith Green and two of our four children. His careful guidance helped turn my memories — both good and painful — into a book that has offered support, comfort, and courage to more than a million readers.
— Melody Green
Author of No Compromise
Part 3: Publishing Essentials
November 19 - 20
How do you attract a literary agent? How do you captivate a publisher’s interest in your writing? What can you expect in a publishing contract?
Ascent's 2010 Writing Track culminates with this final, two-day workshop in which you’ll learn how to develop a proposal that generates interest among agents and publishers.
Authors, literary agents, and acquisitions editors — “industry insiders” — will advise and guide you in the essentials of creating pitch letters and proposals that capture attention.
(Location and Presenters to be announced.) Return to summary
In the 23 years since we attended David’s writing school — which launched our careers in publishing — we have authored more than 60 books. David is a master at the craft of writing, and he knows the publishing field. He also knows how to motivate! His ongoing mentorship over the years has been invaluable. Attend his training school. It’s well worth it!
Geoff and Janet Benge,
Authors of Heroes of History and Christian Heroes series
(over 500,000 in print)
The Ascent Adirondack Writing Summit
Our Writing Summit is held in the stunning and inspiring atmosphere of the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. Mornings, you can write amid the scent of balsam, with the sound of loons calling on a clear mountain lake. Afternoons, you can meet and discuss your work with a writing coach… or keep pursuing your inspiration. Evenings you can sit by an open campfire, relaxing and discussing your progress with other writers.