A Series of Literary Events, with Daniel Handler
VFS IN-PRODUCTION BOOTCAMP
LEARN FROM THE CREATIVE GENIUS BEHIND LEMONY SNICKET AND CRAFT A SHORT STORY OF ENVIABLE PROPORTIONS.
A 2-day In-Production Bootcamp for emerging and established writers to learn the craft of short story writing – and other sneaky skills – from author Daniel Handler.
DANIEL HANDLER
Author
Daniel Handler is the author of seven novels, including Why We Broke Up, All The Dirty Parts and Bottle Grove, and most recently a memoir, And Then? And Then? What Else? As Lemony Snicket, he is the author of far too many books for children, including Poison for Breakfast, the four-volume All The Wrong Questions and the thirteen-volume A Series of Unfortunate Events, which has been adapted for screen and television. He lives in San Francisco with the illustrator Lisa Brown, to whom he is married.
How It Works
With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Daniel Handler’s literary genius has been experienced across books, film, and television. As Lemony Snicket, he penned the 13 novels in his A Series of Unfortunate Events series, which has since been adapted to film and an original Netflix series. Now, Daniel is coming to Vancouver Film School for a 2-day In-Production Bootcamp.
The event kicks off with an Ask Me Anything (AMA) Industry Talk, followed by an intensive day of writing lectures and exercises, culminating in a final project where all participants write their own version of a short story based on the same prompt.
This bootcamp is designed for both emerging and experienced writers looking to sharpen their craft. You’ll learn how to read like a writer, how to use being “wrong” as a tool for rewriting, and emerge with a finished piece of writing and new tools for approaching your work with greater intention.
VFS AMA (Ask Me Anything) Industry Talk
Attend a Talk with Daniel Handler
Friday, November 6 | 5:30 – 7 p.m. PCT | VFS Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street
Cost (AMA Industry Talk only): $20
In-Production Bootcamp:
Lectures, Writing & Rewriting Exercises, Presentations
Saturday, November 7 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. PCT | VFS Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street
Cost for Participant (AMA + In-Production Bootcamp): $275
Ensure that you scroll through the entire registration form below for all options.
AMA Industry Talk: Inside the Writer’s Process
How does a writer conquer the formidable foe that is “the blank page”? How does one know when an idea is worth pursuing and what to do when it goes spectacularly wrong?
Daniel Handler will pull back the curtain on his writing process, sharing lessons from his nearly 30-year career. Expect practical insight into developing ideas, finding the heart of a story, getting words on the page, and rewriting when the first attempt inevitably betrays you.
Come ready with your questions for an open, candid conversation about the craft, process, frustrations, and peculiar pleasures of being a writer.
What to Expect at the Bootcamp
Explore how to read like a writer – learning to identify the “centre of gravity” in everything from a single sentence to an entire story, with illustrated examples drawn from Daniel’s own work and experiences.
From there, you’ll put those techniques to work through individual writing exercises inspired by examples of exceptional writing. You’ll also venture into the art of rewriting, exploring how being “wrong” can be essential to making your work stronger.
The day culminates in a final writing exercise where everyone tackles the same prompt, followed by paired rewriting, presentations, discussion, and Q&A. You’ll leave with an original short story, hands-on experience taking it through the revision process, and practical techniques you can apply to your own writing.
FAQ
1. Who is the Daniel Handler In-Production Bootcamp for?
The bootcamp is designed for both emerging and established writers who want to strengthen their short-story writing and develop practical tools for writing and rewriting.
2. What will I learn at the Daniel Handler writing bootcamp?
You’ll explore how to read like a writer, identify the “centre of gravity” in a sentence, paragraph, or story, develop your own writing through hands-on exercises, and use rewriting to strengthen your work.
3. Will I actually write during the bootcamp?
Yes. The bootcamp is hands-on and includes individual and paired writing and rewriting exercises. The day culminates in a final exercise where all participants write their own short story based on the same prompt.
4. Will I have the opportunity to share my writing?
Participants will present their work and take part in paired rewriting exercises, presentations, discussion, and Q&A as part of the bootcamp experience.
5. Is the AMA Industry Talk included with the bootcamp?
Yes. The $275 participant registration includes both the Friday AMA Industry Talk with Daniel Handler and the Saturday In-Production Bootcamp. The AMA can also be attended separately for $20.
6. Where and when is the bootcamp?
The In-Production Bootcamp takes place Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PCT at Vancouver Film School’s Film Campus, 151 West Cordova Street. The AMA Industry Talk takes place the evening before, on Friday, November 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. PCT.
7. Will I leave with a finished short story?
Yes. The bootcamp culminates in a final writing exercise based on a shared prompt, followed by paired rewriting and presentation. You’ll leave with an original short story that you’ve taken through the revision process.