The Author's Journey (2025) Sign-ups are now closed

The Author’s Journey (2025) Sign-ups are now closed

Unleash Your Novella in Just 13 Weeks!

Crystal Lake Academy presents our fourth Author’s Journey workshop (all online), and we’re proud to say that many of our students have gone on to receive publishing contracts.

Dive into the thrilling challenge of crafting your own novella with direct guidance from Joe Mynhardt, founder and CEO of Crystal Lake Publishing (as well as an award-winning editor and story coach), and a professional editing team by your side. This 13-week workshop is designed to transform your eerie ideas into a gripping novella, ready to chill the spines of readers worldwide. Preferred genres include Horror, Thrillers, Dark Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, and Suspense.

What You’ll Get:

You’ll start off with a one-on-one story coaching session with Joe before the course launches May 1^st. You’ll receive personalized guidance from a publishing/marketing veteran to help you navigate the challenges of novella writing.
Each editor will present a Zoom session throughout the 13 week workshop covering everything from opening scenes and plot development to character creation and building suspense.
We’ll have voluntary check-ins every second Saturday via Zoom to keep you motivated and on track. There will be deadlines for your first 10k words and so on.
Accountability deadlines, which is so important for any author’s journey.
Benefit from multiple rounds of feedback on your second draft, with input from at least two different editors and a fellow author/student during the peer assessment.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or need help finishing your first novella, this workshop is your gateway to bringing your stories to life. Secure your spot and start your journey to novella success today!

Description

Joe Mynhardt stands as a paragon in the horror literary world, a Bram Stoker Award-winning South African publisher, editor, story coach, and mentor with over a decade of experience. As the founder and CEO of Crystal Lake Publishing, Joe has transformed a humble 2012 startup into a multifaceted Intellectual Property powerhouse focused on books, games, audiobooks, a magazine, podcasts, comic books, and more.

With a track record of working with and publishing works by luminaries such as Clive Barker, Stephen King, Charlaine Harris, Ramsey Campbell, John Connolly, Jack Ketchum, Jonathan Maberry, Christopher Golden, Graham Masterton, Damien Angelica Walters, Adam Nevill, Lisa Morton, Elizabeth Massie, Joe R. Lansdale, Edward Lee, Paul Tremblay, and Wes Craven, Joe is the quintessential mentor for aspiring horror authors. His deep industry insights and extensive network place him in a unique position to guide both new and seasoned writers in the genre.

Joe’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering author careers is at the heart of Crystal Lake’s ethos. His approach is not just about publishing books; it’s about building a community, sharing knowledge, and being a beacon of friendship and guidance in the often-intimidating world of horror writing.

Since leaving his day job in 2016 to focus full-time on his passion, Joe has also excelled as a work-from-home dad, a role he embraced in 2018. His daughter, Cayleigh, named after his childhood influences Bruce Lee and Stan Lee, is a testament to his belief in the power of storytelling across all mediums. Joe’s love for great narratives extends beyond literature, encompassing comics, games, film, and television, with favorites ranging from Poe, Doyle, and Lovecraft to King and Connolly.

Joe Mynhardt isn’t just a figure in the horror industry—he’s a driving force behind it, leading a successful online business that goes beyond the traditional boundaries of publishing. Discover more about Joe’s journey and Crystal Lake’s offerings at www.crystallakepub.com or connect with him on Facebook or Patreon (includes author tiers and a 7-day free trial), where he continues to inspire and lead the next generation of horror storytellers.