Stark Beginnings With Style: A Fiction Workshop

Your opening sentences carry more weight than any other words you'll write. They set the tone, establish your voice, and — most importantly — decide whether a reader keeps going. But crafting a compelling opening is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned, practiced, and sharpened.

In this hands-on workshop, novelist and journalist R.J. Huneke leads an in-depth exploration of how great fiction begins — and how to bring that same power to your own work.

What to Expect
Over two focused hours, you'll dig into the craft and mechanics of dramatic openings across genres and forms. The session combines guided discussion, close reading of examples, and short in-room writing exercises — giving you both the analytical tools and the practical reps to make your own first pages land harder.

The workshop includes:

• A craft discussion on opening sentences, paragraphs, and pages — what makes them work and why
• Friendly critique of attendee submissions (optional to participate)
• Email me here [info@doubleedgedpress.com](mailto:info@doubleedgedpress.com); please refrain from including any context, blurbs, or summaries of your work - just paste into the email the very start of your fictional piece (from one line up to one page) and have your name and the title up top, so that legally your ideas are protected, on record, ready for critique.
• 2–3 short in-room writing sessions to put new ideas into practice
• A brief Q&A to close

Whether you're working on a novel, a short story, or just trying to finally crack the opening that's been giving you trouble, this workshop is designed to move you forward.

Accessibility
For anyone who may have a disability or special needs and that I may be able to help make the workshop more accessible to you, please reach out to me at [info@doubleedgedpress.com](mailto:info@doubleedgedpress.com).

Suggested Cost: €10
We operate on a pay-what-you-can model (we'll message the group in Whatsapp after you RSVP). If you're experiencing financial hardship but would like to participate, please RSVP and send a private message.

Spots are limited to 10 writers — please RSVP to reserve your place.

Who Should Attend
Fiction writers of any level who want to write openings that hook readers from the first line. All genres welcome.

About Your Workshop Leader
R.J. Huneke began his writing career as a journalist in New York, contributing to Newsday, Gadizmo, and The Examiner. His cyberpunk thriller Cyberwar was published in the US and worldwide in 2015, and his fantasy novel Ants Waking was released in October 2025. A full member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), R.J. holds an honors degree in English Literature and Writing from Stony Brook University and is the co-founder of Double-Edged Press. He lives and writes in Porto.

If You Cannot Make It In-Person, Attend Online!
If you cannot make it in person, RJ will be giving the same workshop live on Zoom Saturday May 16th, 2026 @ 10:00 am ET / 15:00 pm UTC. You can RSVP [on doubleedgedpress.com/attend Here](https://doubleedgedpress.com/attend/).