What's Your Hook

What's Your Hook?

Virtual

May 16, 10am-12pm

Age Group: Adult 18+
Skill Level: All levels

Description: A strong hook pulls the reader in from the very first line, making them feel like they need to find out what happens next. The big question is—how do writers create that kind of interest and intrigue? In this workshop, participants will learn the ingredients of an effective hook and the types of hooks that are often used in novels, short fiction, memoirs, and essays. Then, we’ll do some exercises to identify a piece’s hook and make sure it’s present from the very beginning of the work. This is often something that happens during revision, so participants are encouraged to bring a work-in-progress to use in the exercises (though this isn’t a requirement! The same ideas will still apply to a brand-new piece).

By the end of this workshop, participants will... understand how to identify a story’s hook and integrate it into their writing to catch and hold a reader’s interest.

About the facilitator:

Jess Simms is a freelance writer from Pittsburgh, PA, where they're a co-founder of Scribble House and the managing editor of After Happy Hour Review. They are the author of the flash fiction chapbook Cryptid Bits (Last-Picked Books, 2024) and have published stories and essays in Mythaxis, Orca, SLAB, Atlas Obscura, Rinky Dink Press, and elsewhere. Find them online at 

https://jesssimms.com

Refund & Cancellation Policy: Attendees can cancel their registration 7 days or more before the event for a full refund (minus ticketing fees). If there is a need to cancel registration less than 7 days before the event, 50% of the ticket cost will be refunded (minus ticketing fees). 

Write Pittsburgh reserves the right to cancel events due to unforeseen circumstances including low registration. If this happens, registrants will receive a 100% refund of the workshop cost (minus ticketing fees). Please note that Humanitix does not allow us to refund ticketing fees, so that is not something that we have any control over.