Better Villains, Stronger Stories

📚 Overview

Stories need a great villain just as much as they need a hero. Who would Luke Skywalker be without Darth Vader? Harry Potter without Voldemort? Batman without the Joker?

In this Monday Masterclass, award-winning editor Hannah VanVels Ausbury will teach you how to craft compelling and three dimensional antagonists. Whether you’re writing a thriller with a notorious killer, a fantasy novel with a power-hungry warlock, or a rom-com about two rivals going after the same goal, you’ll walk away with a clear roadmap to writing villains who are more than just plot devices.

Schedule

EVENT

3pm - 4pm EDT

In this one-hour masterclass you will learn:

Techniques for developing a believable motive and backstory for your antagonist
How to heighten conflict by putting your villain’s goals at odds with those of your protagonist
Tell-tale signs that you’ve created a two-dimensional villain (and how to avoid them)
Character development techniques that you can use across your work

The class will be followed by a live Q&A where you can ask Hannah questions about developing complex villains.

Speakers

Hannah VanVels Ausbury

Editor

Hannah VanVels Ausbury is an editor, writer, and book coach. Over the years, she’s worn many bookish hats: bookseller at Barnes & Noble, freelance editor for scholarly journals, editor at a children's imprint with HarperCollins, and literary agent. With over a decade of editorial experience, Hannah has edited everything from sweeping fantasies and fast-paced thrillers to immersive historical fiction, romantic comedies, and heartfelt contemporary stories. Find her on Reedsy.