testimonials
"I have taken several classes with Mike and credit much of what I've learned about crafting a suspenseful novel to him. From characterizing compelling villains to appreciating the tension between hope and dread, it was under his tutelage that I finished my second novel, The Nine, which went on to win the 2020 FOREWORD Indies Gold Award in Thriller and Suspense, and the 2020 National Indie Excellence Juror's Choice and Winner for Contemporary Fiction. Mike teaches the craft of storytelling using both literature and film, techniques that make each class intellectually stimulating and filled with great discussion. As a movie reviewer, he is also a living catalogue of American pop culture, the type of guy who pulls the perfect reference out of his back pocket. After each class, I'd have a list of movies I needed to watch and books/short stories I needed to read. Even if you aren't a writer, I would recommend Mike's classes for the sheer intellectual content. Whether it's 'Writing the Smart Page-Turner,' 'Mastering the Art of Suspense,' or a primer afternoon playing Dungeons & Dragons, it's a good bet putting yourself in Mike's hands. Employing healthy doses of humor and wit and a master at stimulating lively discourse, he was a gift on my path to becoming a solid writer."
— Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg, Author of Eden and The Nine
"Mike is one of the few writing instructors I've had who treats both genre fiction and mainstream/literary fiction with the same level of due respect. (In an ideal book-loving world, there would be no genre feuds.) What I loved about his 'Smart Page-Turner' courses was taking apart and analyzing pieces of literature and film to see how they mash up both modes of storytelling and then applying what we learned to our own stories. In his courses, I felt affirmed giving observations of what we had read or watched and giving and receiving critiques during workshop. His courses, in fact, helped me confirm and settle into my own sensibilities as a writer. Storytelling cross-pollination all the way! To this day, I approach my writing projects with what I learned from him."
— Christian A. Coleman
"To this day, Michael Marano's 'Smart Page-Turner' classes are the most important writing courses I ever took. They influenced the way I think about writing, help me look at ideas for my books from a new, fresh perspective, and, using techniques from popular and literary fiction that I learned from him, come up with something that readers devour. Michael made me the writer I am today."
— Mariah Stone
"Marano's lively and wide-ranging intellectual curiosity will stoke your thinking and desire to write. He will show you how to deconstruct a novel to identify the elements of great writing and then give you a practical toolkit to enliven your own. I've taken over a half dozen classes with Marano. What I've learned from him over the years has been invaluable in making me a more compelling writer."
— Kiki
"Using an eclectic mix of readings, clips, and films, Mike gives you a concrete toolkit of tips and techniques to elevate your prose and add tension to your writing. His techniques help you find that sweet spot between literary and commercial fiction. And best of all, there is never a dull moment in a Mike Marano class."
— Marti
"After years of writing classes and workshops, conferences, and the 'Novel Generator' program at Grub Street, I thought there was nothing left to learn until I took Mike Marano's 'Suspense' classes. He provided me with the practical tools and mechanics of writing a page-turning suspense thriller. He broke down the mechanics of great suspense novels, films and short stories in an understandable way that was immediately applicable to my own work. I am a better writer today because of these classes and Mike. He is down to earth, funny, engaging, and knowledgeable. You can't go wrong."
— Patrick Sullivan
"I have taken two courses with Michael, both dealing with Suspense. Michael is a fantastic teacher. At least every half-hour during class, he stops and asks the students if they are finding the material useful. Every minute of the class is aimed at making you a better writer. No time is wasted teaching you abstract concepts about literature that you then have to find a way to apply to your everyday work. He's teaching you real techniques that you can begin to apply the minute you leave class. The curriculum is well-designed and well-explained. Michael facilitates class conversation and steers it to areas most useful to all students. Michael is exceptionally well versed on the topics he's teaching, so you have the benefit of his wide breadth of understanding and context. The workshop component of the class is incredibly helpful. Michael improved my writing enough during the workshop periods that the workshops alone were more than worth the entire tuition cost. I'll keep signing up for classes with Michael. I consider myself lucky to have been invited to join by a friend two classes ago. I can't wait for his True Crime class to begin."
— Denise