The only novel development and writing workshop that starts before you arrive and continues after you leave.

We will explain below.

The French Quarter A-M differs in several fundamental ways. First of all, and most importantly, the French Quarter AMW creates a way for the aspiring author to get close and relaxed with published authors and business professionals in a manner that larger events disallow. Sufficient private face time with the right people is priceless.

Second, attendees are taught (even before the workshop begins by means of pre-event assignments and mailings) to address all the major conflict/complication, plot, theme, narrative/voice, dialogue, scene construction, and character arc-and-development issues that affect their novel.

Third, writers are prepped in advance for their interactive sessions with authors, editors and literary agents, and the sessions are not rushed. The professionals are relaxed during the sessions and not bombarded by hundreds of conference goers.

Fourth, the French Quarter A-M provides a pre-event consult with a faculty editor, and as follow-up, novel building sessions online that take up where the workshop left off, and which conclude with more editorial review and assistance, as appropriate, with the query process. More information on this can be found on the Need to Know page.

Fifth, amateur opinions do not arise to compromise the quality of the workshop. Judgments on a writer's work are approved, filtered, and/or provided by professionals in attendance.

Because this workshop accepts far fewer writers than most conferences, those writers who are accepted are given more time to establish relationships with professionals who are present; and unlike several major celeb conferences, French Quarter AMW doesn't simply import name authors or agents to give inspirational messages and smile over cocktails.

Our prize-winning faculty are there to meet with writers in a setting conducive to productive discussion of writing and publishing. Writers with manuscripts will have an opportunity to pitch their work, and writers with works-in-progress will be able to network and learn about the publishing biz. To read more about the Algonkian approach in general, see our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

The French Quarter AMW employs the Algonkian workshop syllabus, the Algonkian Study Guide, as well as an array of craft essays and articles written by Algonkian faculty. Once you've overviewed them, it will be obvious that literary craft at the French Quarter event is utilized more exhaustively than at other commmercial or academic workshops. [more]

The Hotel Monteleone (reviews) is a posh classic in the core of the French Quarter, combining an ideal location with the sort of personalized attention you'd expect from a top rated hotel. In old Nawlins they say the French Quarter begins in the lobby of Hotel Monteleone: shop after shop of unique art and antiquities from around the world, quaint restaurants and drinking establishments line the French Quarter streets while primary tourist attractions are just steps from the Hotel Monteleone, including Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, the French Market, and the Riverwalk, where you can watch the steamboats along the Mississippi River.

More Photos of The Hotel Monteleone