"About half an hour ago, I received another request for a partial from a literary agency. Brenda, I have to say a huge thanks. If it hadn't been for your advice on restructuring chapter one of my manuscript, none of this interest would be possible. I now have three agents and one publisher all interested in reading more.

"If you're reading this post and have suffered rejection in the past, but think your WIP is worthy of publication, I would recommend Brenda's service and suggest you have your first chapter reviewed by her for a small fee as I did. It's worth every cent and you certainly won't regret it."
Jenny Woodall,
writing as Victoria Howard

Pushcart Prize nominee

"Brenda Hill has helped me with several writing projects. She offers invaluable advice and editorial critique to help me present my best possible writing. I would recommend her services to anyone."

Candace Simar,
Spur Award winning author

"Brenda Hill's knowledge is extensive. She has a talent for spotting sentence structure errors and word usage problems. She also has a keen eye for strong writing."
Wendy Rosnau,
A Thousand Kisses Deep and The Spy Wore Red

Writer of the Year

Midwest Fiction Writers

"I attended a workshop Brenda conducted for the Palm Springs Writers' Guild and it was very helpful. The workshop was about the important first page and it really opened my eyes. Any aspiring writer will benefit from Brenda's workshops. She is entertaining and insightful."

Ted Wakefield,

Palm Springs Writers' Guild

"Your class on "Critical First Chapter" was so helpful. It's now engrained in my writer's mind how important that is. Grab the reader while he's looking at your book, and you have a follower for life.” 

Dodie Cross

Author of: A Broad Abroad in Thailand, 

A Broad Abroad in Iran

"I have attended a number of sessions on writing that all-important first chapter, but none as useful and informative as Brenda Hill's 'Critical First Chapter' workshop.  Her information hit all the right topics and was invaluable in the retooling of my novel's opening page and first chapter.”    

Jim McFarlin, President

Palm Springs Writers Guild

“A good workshop should be informative, practical, and well organized.  Brenda Hill’s 1st Chapter Workshop met the criteria in every aspect.  I was motivated to look carefully at the first chapter of each of my novels and implement Hill’s advice.” 

Libby Grandy,

Author of Desert Soliloquy

"Brenda provided valuable insight that proved instrumental in the publication and success of my first novel, The Burning Hills. She has a  keen eye for a good story, understands sound literary structure and pays attention to detail. I welcome her input on my work anytime."
Will Garret,
The Burning Hills

"Thank you for editing my last four short stories. I appreciate not only your attention to detail, but also the leading questions that you asked. I was able to better communicate my characters when you asked what they were feeling, why she acted in such a way, or demanded a better ending. Your active reading makes my work stronger." 

Sherri Cook Woosley

A Novel Writers Workshop Member a Finalist in the Clive Cussler Contest!

by Ken Barnett

Back in March, on a pure whim, I entered my self-published novel, Skeletons of Weavers Needle in the Clive Cussler Collectors Society Adventure Writers Competition for 2016.

With the contest not closing until the end of June and semi-finalists not being announced until late July, I actually pretty much forgot about it.

On July 20th I received notification that my novel was among the ten semi-finalists, selected by a judging panel of thirteen authors. Well, needless to say, that got my attention. Then, last Sunday, I received an e-mail advising me that Skeletons was among the three finalists for the $1,000.00 first prize and possible publishing considerations!

If you know of Clive Cussler, you are aware that he is the adventure writing superhero of our age. His son, Dirk, now writes also, and will be the sole judge of the three remaining finalists. The contest chairman contacted me this morning, and I will be on my way to Denver in October for the ceremonies. Stunning!

I’m letting you know all this in praise of Brenda, because without her workshops and critiques this never would have happened. After each of her classes, I went back and re-read and re-wrote on my book based on her input and suggestions, as well as that of others in the class. If you are just starting out on your writing career, I can’t recommend her classes highly enough, and even if you’re already published, like my granddaddy used to say, “That can’t hurt none neither.”

Thanks, Brenda