Industry Insider Alert: Learn the Art of Writing for Franchises with Tim Waggoner’s New Guide and Live Workshop

What do Alien, Resident Evil, Doctor Who, Grimm, Transformers, Supernatural, and Terrifier all have in common?

Aside from being beloved (and occasionally blood-soaked) cornerstones of genre fandom, they’ve all had stories brought to life by Tim Waggoner, an author who’s not just survived but thrived in the world of media tie-ins.

Now, for the first time, Waggoner is sharing exactly how he did it.

Just Add Writer is more than a how-to guide. It’s a career road map built from decades of hands-on experience navigating the wilds of IP work. From breaking in and pitching ideas to writing inside someone else’s sandbox while still maintaining your creative spark, this book is your survival kit for shared universes and reboot culture.

Whether you’re a horror author curious about writing for your favorite franchise or a genre fiction fan who’s always wondered how licensed novels actually come together, this is a rare peek behind the curtain. Just Add Writer includes:

• Real-world samples of pitches, outlines, and chapters from actual assignments
• Advice on meeting deadlines without losing your mind (or your voice)
• Tips on how to get hired for IP projects—even if you’re not famous (yet)
• And guidance for working with beloved characters while still telling fresh, exciting stories

🎁 Bonus: You can preview the first chapter online for free!
👉 Read it now

Just Add Your Writing – The Workshop

To celebrate the book’s release, Tim is hosting a one-time online workshop packed with exclusive insights, personal tips, and highlights from his acclaimed Writing in the Dark symposiums. He’ll walk attendees through the process of working in media tie-ins, answer questions in real time, and provide guidance tailored to where you are in your writing journey.

🗓️ Registration Opens: May 30 at 5:00 PM
⏳ Closes: June 1 at 8:00 PM
💵 Cost: $25
📍 Sign up here: Register Now

This event is a rare opportunity to connect with a true industry veteran, ask your burning questions, and get actionable advice to help you write inside your favorite universes—or build your own with the same discipline and craft.

From the Mind Behind Writing in the Dark

Many of you know Tim from his Bram Stoker Award-winning horror writing guides (Writing in the Dark, Writing in the Dark: The Workbook), both of which have become essential reading for dark fiction writers. But did you know he’s also penned more than 60 novels and taught creative writing as a tenured professor?

This is someone who has lived in every corner of the publishing world—from indie horror to blockbuster tie-ins—and Just Add Writer is the distilled essence of that experience. Whether you’re looking to land your first IP gig or just want to understand how your favorite Halloween or Alien novel came to life, this guide delivers.

Why Writers Should Be Interested

In today’s publishing landscape, IP writing is booming. From novels to comics to audio dramas and games, major franchises are expanding into new formats—and they need writers like you. But breaking in without a roadmap can feel like navigating a haunted house with no flashlight.

Just Add Writer is that flashlight.

And with this workshop, Tim Waggoner is holding the door open.

Whether you’re a die-hard horror writer, a sci-fi scribbler, or a speculative fiction author who’s been circling the idea of tie-in writing for years, this is the moment to go from curious to confident.

So grab your favorite fandom hoodie, fire up your imagination, and… Just Add Writer!