The Apex
World's Most Innovative Writing Group!
J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis had the Inklings as a writing group.
Hemingway worked with Faulkner and Steinbeck to achieve greatness.
Now it's your turn!
What is Apex
Writers Group?
Whether you want to break into the publishing field, level up to bestseller, or begin selling more books than you've ever imagined…
In Apex, you'll get access to the training, motivational tools, and supporting community that you need to succeed in your career.
Click Here to Enroll Now
Meet Your New Writing Mentor:
David Farland was one of the world's foremost writing instructors, and a New York Times Bestselling author himself. Over the past 40 years before his death, he trained dozens of internationally successful writers, including #1 New York Times Best sellers such as:
Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time & The Way of Kings)
James Dashner (The Maze Runner)
Brandon Mull (Fablehaven)
Stephanie Meyer (Twilight)
and many who have only climbed onto the bestseller lists without hitting #1.
He helped push J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter to become the bestselling novel of all time.
Farland also judged and taught writing workshops with L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future, one of the largest worldwide writing competitions for new fantasy and science fiction authors.
The contest has helped discover and launch many authors into professional careers, with nearly 100 new science fiction and fantasy books released in just the last year.
Dave passed away in January 2022, but his wisdom remains with us today through several pre-recorded courses and seminars.
"I still use the writing techniques he discussed, and constantly reference him and his instruction when I teach creative writing myself. . . His explanations led me directly to getting an agent, and subsequently, my first book deal."
#1 Bestselling author of the Way of Kings and Mistborn
Join Industry Expert Lectures!
With Apex, you get a unique opportunity to ask questions and gain insights from top experts in their field. We're lining up to 3 special guests per week with industry experts to help our authors stay motivated and focused while learning new skills in how to write, edit, publish, and market their work. Our goal is to make this the single most beneficial writers' group in the world!
Apex Past Guest Speaker's Include:
#1 New York Times Best Seller
Has published more than 170 books, 58 of which have been national or international bestsellers.
New York Times Best Selling author. Dan Wells is best known for his horror series I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER.
Award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller and dark fantasy author as J.F. Penn.
I'm an award-winning podcaster on writing and the publishing industry at The Creative Penn Podcast.
Elizabeth Chatsworth
International and award winning author of The Brass Queen
New York Times bestselling author
23-time NY Times Best Seller sold over 25 million book copies
#1 NY Times bestselling Author of Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow.
Michael Anderle
Michael is the bestselling author of "The Kurtherian Gambit". He is also the founder of 20booksto50K, a group of 40,000+ authors that come to learn from Michael on how to self publish like a pro!
Beth Meacham
Edited works include Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game, Pat Murphy's The Falling Woman and Tim Powers' The Anubis Gates.
All meetings are recorded and made available in our archive.
Join programs to help authors learn how to get books published well, how to make the bestseller lists, and also to get books made into films!
How to brainstorm, write, edit, and publish your novels.
Keeping motivated through the process.
How to advertise your upcoming releases so that you hit bestseller lists.
How to impress and work with publishers.
How to break into the film industry.
Maintaining and growing your career.
Join a network of supporting like-minded writers
Access 200+ Courses, Recorded Conference Calls and Trainings.
We're releasing up to 3 weekly videos with tips on writing, editing, publishing, marketing and staying motivated.
Join Forums and Groups
Genre-specific interests and more, such as brainstorming and accountability groups! In addition, you can take courses together, find critique groups, or join writers rings.
Network with Community
You'll be welcomed into a worldwide community of writers at all levels. With this network you can learn from their success, exchange news and information, brainstorm and critique novels, plan for book launches, and so on.
We understand there is no one way to become a successful author, so we value the advice of "industry experts" who have made it, whether it be how to market, plot, compose, revise, or simply get motivated…
In Apex, you'll find a wide variety of industry experts who run publishing companies or those who already are well on their way to become some of the bestselling authors in their genres.
Whether you're a budding writer, or a seasoned veteran, in Apex you'll be in good hands, receiving sound advice. Our community is forthcoming and truly seeking the success of each other.
Apex is a community of writers dedicated to publishing. I can't explain how badly I needed this. As an aspiring author, there is a glut of gurus out there pointing in every direction based on what has worked for them or misinterpreting what they think worked for others. David leads a group of pros who not only know the many ways to succeed, but are happy to explain the hows and whys the different ways that work for different writers. And the personal support and relationships I'm building with like-minded people is incalculably important to my career.
WOTF Honorable Mention recipient​
Through membership in Apex, this year (2020), I've grown and accomplished the scary - built my web site (https://jannerenberg.com), have my novel "Stand In Stone" being reviewed by a major publisher, won an HM from Writers of the Future, and have completed NaNoWriMo. The support of fellow writers, weekly information on how-to from pros, and access to David Farland's classes are an invaluable resources.
Jan Nerenberg
Novelist and WOTF Honorable Mention recipient
Get Immediate Access to all Apex Training!
Members of Apex enjoy access to David Farland's complete Super Writers' Bundle.
This includes the audited versions of his 14 bestselling writing workshops and courses. Plus, you'll also get his seminars and 4 books on writing as a FREE BONUS!
How different would your life be if tomorrow you woke up and discovered that your book…
…the one you poured hours, weeks, months, years (?) of your life into…
…was suddenly sitting atop the bestsellers list?
What would it be like to finally get your book written and out into the world…
…and you could – once and for all – call yourself a published, bestselling author?
Now, getting there (I can tell you) is like a long trudge through murky waters.
The path lined with wrong turns, dead ends, and often painful and costly lessons.
But we both know that's not the only way…
There is another road to authorship – one paved, direct, and clear of obstacles.
A well-worn route that begins with one clear-cut step…
Which is – to craft a 'million-dollar outline' with those 'bestseller' components already woven in.
And it's MY goal to help guide you there.
It's also the 'reason why' behind my virtual workshop's in 'The Super Writers' Bundle '…
To help up-and-coming authors craft their first (or next) bestseller blueprint.
And I have the bundle available now
(Yes, this is the same step-by-step process I took bestselling authors James Dashner, Brandon Sanderson, and Stephenie Meyer through)
Now, you can get a good look at the class itinerary, the incredible bonuses we've got set up for you below.
Best of luck on your writing journey,
An Over $2,500 Value! FREE!
"If you're like me, stuck trying to get a novel completed for years, then you'll love David Farland's writing courses as much as I do. I was reading dozens of how-to books, attending writing conferences, but on square one. Since taking The Story Puzzle, Professional Writers Workshop and Writing Mastery 1 my critique group writers tell me they can't believe how much I've improved, and want to sign up themselves. I'm surprised how much more confidence I have. All because I have a best-selling expert at my side coaching me along. I'm finally on my way to publication."
Jeanette AndersonAuthor
"David Farland's writing courses gave me the tools to build my writing career. I wrote the first chapter of *The Brass Queen* as a worldbuilding exercise in the *Story Puzzle* class. Dave's kind words of encouragement inspired me to expand that exercise into an entire novel. As I worked through Dave's courses, I learned how to create unforgettable characters, thrilling plotlines, and emotionally resonant themes. I also gained an insider's perspective of the publishing industry that helped me to become a traditionally published author. Dave shared the tools to build my rocket ship and pointed me toward the stars. I couldn't have wished for a better launch!"
Elizabeth Chatsworth​Actor & Author of award-winning fantasy THE BRASS QUEEN​
"I paid the full $2,400 for these courses and books over the years, which were all well worth it!"
Jeff KasunicDigital artist helping bring stories to life including HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 3, SHREK, KUNG FU PANDA and more
"Dave's work spans many genres and is always good!"
Kevin J. Anderson #1 New York Times Bestselling science fiction author
"If there's an aspiring writer in your life, this is a princely gift. If YOU are the aspiring writer, this is an investment in your own success."
Kary Englishaward-winning past student
"This is a seriously good deal. The classes I've taken from Dave have been some of the most useful, thought-provoking writing lessons I've had."
Kate Julicher award-winning past student
"He understands storytelling and writing on a freaky level. All of us feel like we owe a huge debt to him."
James Dashner#1 Bestselling Author of the Mazerunner
"Invaluable! These workshops kicked my writing into high gear"
Jessica Day George​Bestselling Young Adult Author of the Dragon Slippers Trilogy and Princess of the Midnight Ball​
"Dave Wolverton's workshop is a hands on Master's Course in developing all aspects of your novel. Whether you're interested in making the transition to professional author or are already published and wish to facilitate your move to the next level, Dave will give you the skill set necessary to make it happen. It is rare to find such an in-depth analysis of both craft, as well as a thorough examination of the publishing business, offered with such frank generosity. This class will motivate you to reach higher and dig deeper. I highly recommend it."
Day LeclaireUSA Today bestselling author
"I took the Story Puzzle course on My Story Doctor. The course is all about building a satisfying narrative for your reader. I highly recommend it and other My Story Doctor courses for anyone who wants to write professionally. Dave is a wonderful instructor who has an ability to explain concepts in an understandable and engaging way. He is encouraging toward students while also being able to dig into the problem areas in the prose they produce. This, coupled with the community he is building makes My Story Doctor one of the premier locations for writer education."
Nina NiskanenAuthor
"David Farland is a phenomenal creative. An unusual mix of left- and right-brain thinking: an artist, but also a technician. A brilliant man, but also so nurturing. The list of his students is long and impressive—people who may well not have achieved their greatness without David's guidance. His workshops, instructional books and newsletters are all invaluable. (With his constant stream of help, advice and instruction to new and developing writers, I sometimes wonder when he finds time to write novels. But he does!)" David is one of my own most valued mentors.
MilesAuthor
"I can say completing Dave's Writing Mastery I class has been invaluable to improving my skills as a writer and I can't thank Dave enough for his tutelage. Now, I'm moving on in the next phase of my plan to prepare the first book of my Fantasy Series to submit seeking a publisher. I'm comfortable with Dave Farland, and have learned a great deal from him. I'm embarking on a higher level online class with Dave called Rewriting to Greatness which is geared toward teaching authors the ins and outs of editing and revising their own work. My goal is to revise my book to make it the very best it can be in order to secure a publishing contract. I'm confident that with Dave's guidance I'll be able to develop the professional skills that will help me launch a successful career as a professional writer."
Jay WillisFantasy Author
"Does anyone know more about the craft of writing than David Farland? It's possible, but you can't go wrong with his books and courses. As a general rule I don't review other writers, but this isn't a review of a specific book. This is a review of the Story Doctor; in short, everything Farland has done to share his unique insider knowledge of writing, publishing, and working with Hollywood. The information he shares is invaluable. Farland can show you what elements make a best-seller and why. The information provided in his book "Million Dollar Outlines" alone will probably change the way you write. If you can't afford all of his courses (I'm still saving!) at least sign up for his newsletter and try a couple of the inexpensive video courses. You won't regret it."
Jamie SedgwickAuthor
"Aside from being a talented writer, David Farland is an excellent writing teacher. Hearing him teach live and reading his written advice has helped me focus many of my own thoughts about the writing process. Those who would like to learn more about the craft of writing would be wise to pay attention."
Brandon MullNew York Times Bestselling author of Fablehaven and Beyonders
"I first took a class from David Farland called Writing a Blockbuster Novel (or something like that) at LDStorymakers several years ago. He talked about writing novels in a way I could understand--in terms of movies. I love to read, but MOVIES really stick in my head. And the best books I've read (and those I want to write) READ like movies. But until Dave I hadn't had "permission" to think of them that way. Since then I've attended one of Dave's workshops, taken a couple classes from him at various conferences and read his books. The man is brilliant. And his creative way of looking at the writing process (statistics? movies for research? drawing on cultural preferences?) really resonates with me. I highly recommend any of David Farland's writing workshops and books."
Ali CrossUSA Today bestselling author of the Desolation Series
"I took one of Dave's in-person training seminars and it proved to be a major milestone in my writing career. I learned the reasons why my beloved first novel would never sell. More importantly, I learned how to approach re-working the novel from the ground up, which I did. The end result is 10 times better and will be released within the year. I absolutely and without reservation recommend David Farland's training classes."
Frank MorinAuthor of Set in Stone
Magnificent Middles ($399 Value)
For many writers, the most difficult part of a novel to write is the middle. Even professionals who outline well will often find that at the midpoint, they tend to second-guess their work, sit back and analyze their opening, consider their ending, and try to figure out how to get there in a way that will be entertaining and powerful.
Writing Mastery 1 ($399 Value)
What are the nine most common weaknesses that keep new authors from publishing successfully? This course will help you identify these problems and overcome them, strengthening your own writing through education and practice. Each topic is addressed in a taped lesson, followed by learning material, recommended reading, and a writing assignment. Learn to take your writing from "okay" to "powerful" and then "mesmerizing" in this first Writing Mastery course.
In Writing Mastery 2, the focus will be on your story, which means that you will spend more time brainstorming scenes and working to build your story as a whole. Many of these exercises are designed to help you see your story in a new way, brainstorm new scenes, and then begin writing them, so that you build on the existing framework of your novel. settings that can give birth to incredible societies and characters, plus how to take those characters' cores and generate enthralling conflicts for your plot.
The Advanced Story Puzzle ($399 Value)
Creating a story is like putting a puzzle together, one with missing or misleading pieces. In this workshop, you'll learn how to recognize what pieces of your story you have (such as characters, scenes, or conflicts), determine what pieces are still missing, and fashion the pieces you need. Dave will show you how to create imaginative settings that can give birth to incredible societies and characters, plus how to take those characters' cores and generate enthralling conflicts for your plot. This course is especially effective when combined with Dave's Amazon #1 Bestselling Writing Book, Million Dollar Outlines, also included in this bundle.
Writing Enchanted Prose ($399 Value)
You've read stories that absolutely swept you away into another world, stories that made you forget you were reading and ultimately left you changed. This Course will help you learn the skills to do that!
Promising Starts ($399 Value)
Think you're ready to begin your novel? The new author is faced with a lot of tasks: introducing his world, his characters, and building his story. For most people, starting well is a struggle. This workshop will help guide you through the process of writing that difficult opening.
Powerful Endings ($399 Value)
New to this bundle! When an author delivers a powerful ending, readers will take notice of the author's name–and put them on their "to read" list. In this workshop, you'll learn how to structure the ending, create an exciting "reversal," and write cascading scenes that create an "emotional symphony" for the reader and lead to powerful complex.
Rewriting to Greatness ($399 Value)
In this workshop you will learn why you need to become your own editor, and you'll get an overview of the editorial process. You'll learn why it's important to make multiple passes while editing, and Dave will help introduce you to some of the best tools to guide you as you revise your novel.
+ Multiple new video's created weekly!
"Whether you're interested in making the transition to a professional author or are already published and wish to facilitate your move to the next level, Dave will give you the skill set necessary to make it happen."
Day Leclaire
Award-winning and Bestselling author of over 50 romance novels
Kickstarting Your Career ($399 Value)
Dave helped numerous authors hit the New York Times Bestseller lists, so one of his most frequent questions is "How can I break into writing quickly?" In this series of lectures, Dave talks about some of the steps you need to take in order to build a successful career as a writer. This goes especially well with his book Million Dollar Book Signings, also included in this bundle.
Publishing Today ($199 Value)
Many new writers put together a great book proposal, then send it to a lousy agent or publisher. By doing that, they may set their own career back by 5 years. So in this seminar, I talk about how to vet agents and publishers, how to meet them, and basically get a leg up on a stellar career. Just as importantly, I'll give advice to help you decide whether to go Indie, because in some genres, you might not even want a publisher, and getting one could hurt your career.
Recharge Your Creative Batteries ($199 Value)
Every writer gets tired at times and feels that he has hit a creative block. In these lessons, Dave talks about how to combat that fatigue and get excited about your art once again.
Worldbuilding ($199 Value)
In every genre, the works at the very top of the all-time bestseller list tend to be those where the author has spent time to develop a unique and compelling world. In this series of seven lectures, Dave will talk about some of the elements of worldbuilding that you should explore.
Writing For YA & MG ($199 Value)
Dave helped launch the careers of or train such notable writers as J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Brandon Sanderson, and James Dashner.
Many of these people write for the middle-grade and young adult genres, audiences which have their own particular needs.
Learn about special considerations for these audiences and tells why they can be so hard to break into, but also so lucrative.
Heinlein's Rules ($199 Value)
More than 65 years ago, Robert Heinlein gave a few simple rules about how to approach your writing career. The advice is considered timeless, but a few things have changed since then, and maybe it's time for some revision.
David Farland talks about what Heinlein got right, what he oversimplified, and what has changed in the intervening 65 years since Heinlein made his famous rules.
Five Tips for Writing to a Large Audience ($199 Value)
"Five Tips for Writing to a Massive Audience," tells the criteria Dave used when he selected Harry Potter to be the book that Scholastic pushed to become a bestseller, and he reveals the marketing strategy he devised that made it the fastest-selling middle-grade novel of all time—a strategy that helped launch J.K. Rowling to become the wealthiest writer of all time.
Included Books on Writing:
Drawing on the Power of Resonance in Writing
Every genre of writing has a "secret language" that builds up around it, a way of presenting itself to the world.
In this book, Dave helps you see the importance of learning how to resonate well with other books and films in your genre while resonating with real-life experiences, so that your novel will garner an audience as big as the genre that you write in.
Blockbuster Book Signings
Blockbuster Book Signings will tell you everything you need to know to make your signings a success. This insightful book includes: – Ideas for Alternative Venues – Effective Publicity Strategies – Optimal Dates and Seasons for Signings – A Checklist of Items to Bring and Tasks to Complete and more.
Whether you're a new author or a seasoned one, throw a book signing that makes readers wanting more–more books, more of you, and more signings.
Million Dollar Outlines
Many writers can tell you how to outline, or not, but in this #1 Amazon bestseller, Dave takes it several steps further by helping you decide not just how to outline a novel, but how to create one that will become a bestseller.
Writing Wonder
From the time when children first began gathering around campfires, we have been seeking tales of wonder–the feeling you get when something is strange and exciting.
Most of the books we read are what I call "wonder literature", yet writing wonder is a lesson seldom taught.
This book will delve into what "wonder literature" truly means and how to increase the level of wonder in your novel.
Brandon Mull
#1 NYT Bestseller, author of Fablehaven and Beyonders
If you are unsatisfied with your purchase for any reason, just contact us in the first 30 days and I'll give you a full refund.
Just email service@mystorydoctor.com or use the Contact Us link on the site.
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