Workshops & Classes

Available both in person and virtually.

I’d love to teach at your next workshop!

 

As an experienced developmental editor for over eight years, I can teach these topics and many more!

 

8 First Chapter Tips To Hook Your Readers

How To Make Your Secondary Characters Really Come to Life

Antagonists, Villains, and Other Bad Guys, Oh My!

 So You Want to Write A Spicy Sex Scene and Don’t Know Where to Start

 

 

Looking for a topic that isn’t listed here? Ask me and I’ll see what I can come up with for you!

 

 

 

Contact Me Today to Get Scheduled!

virtual classes

Check out some of my most popular classes!

8 First Chapter Tips to Hook Your Readers

In 2024, I was invited to speak at the Wanna Write Romance Virtual Summit. I knew immediately that I wanted to teach about one of the most important chapters in any book—the first chapter! 

The first chapter has several important tasks. It needs to introduce the characters, set the stage, and create an emotional hook that makes the reader want to keep turning the page.

In this hour-long session, I chat with fellow romance editor Sue Brown-Moore about the top 8 things that are necessary to include in your first chapter. And we talk about some of my favorite romance novels as examples. (We wouldn’t be book lovers if we didn’t talk about our favorite books!)

You can purchase access to the recording below. Afterwards, if you want help with your first chapter, you can book a plotting session with me and we can work on it together.

Buy The Recording Here

She's So Much More Than An Editor

“Casey is the kind of editor who will stand right beside you through every step of your process, focused just as hard on that wall of ten thousand haphazard sticky notes while you try to plot your next book over the course of hours and days. She’ll offer ideas and encouragement. A joke to lighten your mood. A margarita at the end of the night when you’re feeling like you got absolutely nowhere, and a promise to do it all again the next day. And when you pass out in a chair while staring at said wall—hopeless, your brain little more than a bowl of cold oatmeal because you’ve hit a massive block—she’s the kind of person who will go find the blanket you packed, lay it gently over you, and tuck you in for some much needed rest.

 

She’s so much more than an editor, and her retreats are more than a week to get some work done. They are community and conversation and laughter. A safe place for support and healing, if you need it. Peaceful and hilariously chaotic in turns. A veritable ass-ton of genuine fun.
 
Time and again, Casey provides an environment that says everything about who she is as a human being, and I cannot possibly recommend her enough. Just go. Go. You won’t regret it.”

 
K.R. Fryatt, Author of really long, epic romantasy books

Left Motivated and With New Friends

“This spring I had the opportunity to go to one of Casey’s hosted writers retreats in a luxury cabin in Tennessee. I had never been to the area before and first let me say The Smoky Mountains are absolutely magical—a great place for a retreat. Throughout the planning and then on the trip, Casey’s communication, thoroughness, and mindfulness were apparent with every little detail from activities, like forest bathing, creating vision boards, and meal provisioning. Getting to spend time with her for one-on-one sessions and with the other amazing writers was awesome. Also just getting a chance to hang out for a week with like minded folks and have my spirits lifted by the positive energy and the peaceful time I was able to dedicate to writing was the best. I left the retreat motivated and with new friends!”

Jennifer M. Waldrop, Author of spicy romantasy and quirky speculative books

Invigorated and Relaxed

"This retreat was an absolute blast! Not only was I very productive, but I was able to workshop ideas with Casey as well as the other writers. I felt both invigorated and relaxed throughout the week, and I cannot wait for the next one!

Roseanne Beck, Author of hilarious Rom-Coms

I felt heard, and seen and very motivated!

"This has been the BEST writer's retreat by far. Editor Casey gave each writer consistent 1 on 1 time. She made sure we not only met our goals for the week but had a solid plan for the future. I felt as if Casey was genuinely invested in me as a person and as a writer. Casey created a comfortable and nurturing environment that encouraged us to write, unwind, and create life-long relationships. I will attend her retreats every year.

Casey constantly checked in with each of us to see what we needed. She made it clear when she was available for discussion. She went above and beyond to assist each of us to complete our goals for the retreat AND to set goal for after... I feel like she gave a lot more time to each of us than expected. I felt heard, and seen and very motivated!"

Elle Riley, Author of hilarious Rom-Coms

Even For A Seemingly-Hopeless Introvert Like Myself

"If an editor invites you to essentially come and live with them for eight days—offering their time, knowledge, and guidance—give it serious consideration. If that editor is Casey, don’t even think about it. Just GO!

Even as a writer, I hardly have the words to describe what a wonderful experience it was, and she was the highlight. She helped me to break through a tough chunk of my book, took the time to read and go over the result, and was so unbelievably supportive.

Everyone that attended was incredible. I feel like I was really able to bond with the other authors because Casey created an environment in which that was possible to do—even for a seemingly-hopeless introvert like myself. She provided a comfortable, safe space with tons of laughs and an endless well of encouragement. It was like summer camp for authors—complete with bonfires and marshmallows, mountains and a sky full of stars, and lots of late-night sharing/storytelling. I went for the writing, but left with friends and amazing memories.

I am already looking forward to the next retreat, and simply cannot recommend it enough. Go, go, go!"

 
K.R. Fryatt, Author of really long, epic romantasy books

Get To KNOW Your Editor

"I 100% recommend attending your retreats to get to know your editor.  Don't get me wrong, I did get a sense of who you (Casey) were when we Zoomed, but it was the in-person aspect that made me understand you better (and love you more)." 
 
Elle Riley, Author of hilarious Rom-Coms
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