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So much useful information that goes beyond what writers are typically taught."
— STEPHANIE, OUTLIERS STUDENT
How It Works
Join Now
Choose your risk-free plan and become a member online in a matter of minutes
Instant Access
Unlock your invitation into the Circle community and access your member-only resources
Live Classes
Attend online writing classes with bestseller authors the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month
Before You Can Get Published, You Have to Write a Story Worth Publishing
That might sound obvious. But it's the goal most writers underestimate.
Publishers aren't just looking for writers. They're looking for storytellers — authors who understand the craft behind a compelling story. The elements that keep readers turning pages and make a book impossible to put down.
Structure. Character. Tension. Voice. Pacing.
When these elements work together, a story feels effortless. When they're missing or underdeveloped, even a great idea can fall flat.
The good news? These are skills you can learn. You can strengthen your storytelling, develop your instincts, and learn to recognize what makes a story work — and how to make yours better.
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You don’t have to master the craft alone. That’s where Outliers comes in.
Outliers Writing University is a membership for writers who want to master their craft, build confidence in their storytelling, and take meaningful steps toward their writing goals. Learn from bestselling authors, explore the techniques behind powerful stories, and find the guidance, resources, and community to keep growing as a writer. Because your story deserves more than a great idea. It deserves the craft to bring it to life.
What Changes When You Join Outliers...
You finally recognize what’s been holding your manuscript back and how to fix it
You stop writing in isolation and find writers who take this as seriously as you do
You have a clear, proven path forward instead of a pile of conflicting advice
You write stronger characters, sharper dialogue, and scenes that actually land
You build the skills and momentum that'll help you finally reach the finish line
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It's one thing to be entertained by a class; it's another to walk away doing something differently because of it."
— NIKI, OUTLIERS STUDENT
The Classes That Set Outliers Apart
This is the heart of your membership — live, author-led instruction on the craft elements that actually matter.
Taught by award-winning, bestselling authors — the ones already on your bookshelf
Live on Zoom every 1st and 3rd Tuesday, with 30-day replay access so you never miss a session
Live Q&A in every class — get your questions answered directly by the instructor or the Outliers team
Topics include structure, dialogue, character, pacing, voice, point of view, and more — plus genre-specific deep dives in crime, thriller, historical fiction, fantasy, and beyond.
"I profited from the many lessons learned...Each Outliers session made my manuscript stronger."
Michael Rigg | Outliers Student Success Story
Agatha, Macavity & Anthony Award Nominee
"Kudos to Outliers Writing University and its co-founders DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim. You’ve developed an exceptional writing program. Thanks to you both for your professionalism, personal example of excellence, and encouragement to a new (notice that I didn’t say “young”) writer. I profited from the many lessons learned from your cadre of instructors. Each Outliers session made my manuscript stronger. I wish I had discovered your courses earlier in my writing career."
Excerpt from Rigg's novel, Shadows of Frenchmen
WHAT YOU GET
Everything Inside Your Outliers Membership:
2 Monthly Live Writing Classes
Taught by bestselling authors with 30-day replay access + live Q&A
Anthology Submission Opportunity
Your chance to become a published author in 2027
Advanced Workshop Discounts
Members-only savings on intensives and deep-dive sessions
Curated Class Archive
Hand-picked recordings of past classes, available anytime
Digital Writer Resources
eBooks, workbooks, and guides built for writers at every stage
Private Writer Community
Built on Circle, for committed writers who push each other forward
Outliers Membership combines bestselling-author instruction, practical craft education, and a community of serious writers who help each other stay motivated, improve faster, and keep moving toward publication.
Become a member today and join writers who are committed to finishing what they started.
I’ve been sitting on this book idea for 3 years, unable to move on it because I just didn’t have the courage or the know-how. I’ve started it a number of times, but honestly didn’t believe in myself enough to keep going. You’ve inspired me and equipped me and encouraged me to the point I just had to dive in.”
— SYLVIA, OUTLIERS MEMBER
JOIN OUTLIERS TODAY
Be The Writer Who Stands Out
Outliers Writing University helps you develop the craft, confidence, and commitment to take your writing further.
Your first class starts soon — and it may be exactly what you need to take you from stuck to bestsellerdom! Try Outliers for 30 days. If you’re not completely satisfied, we’ll refund your money.
Stay as long as you want. Cancel anytime.
Now's the Time: Join Before Prices Increase
We’re continually adding value to Outliers with new instructors, resources, and opportunities. To support that growth, membership prices are increasing in 2027. Join now to lock in your current rate for as long as your membership remains active.
2027 ANTHOLOGY SUBMISSION
A Limited Opportunity for Outliers Members Only
What if your short story became your first (or next) publishing credit?
This isn’t a contest with a certificate. This is a real publishing opportunity. If your story is selected, you’ll:
Work with a real editor on your submission
Appear in print alongside Outliers instructors and fellow writers
Hold a traditionally published author credit you can add to your author résumé
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OUTSIDE THE BOX: Crime That Can’t Be Contained
A brand-new crime fiction anthology featuring 14 hand-picked student stories, alongside work from Outliers instructors.
This opportunity is exclusively available to Outliers members — and the submission window closes on February 28, 2027.
If you’ve ever wanted a publishing credit, a reason to finish that story, or the chance to work with a real editor — this is it. The sooner you join, the more time you have to work on your short story and hit the deadline!
Join Outliers to Submit Your Story
BESTSELLING AUTHOR INSTRUCTORS
Who You Get to Learn From
Your Outliers instructors aren’t writing coaches or industry bloggers. They’re working, bestselling, award-winning authors — the writers whose books are already in bookstores and stories are being told on your favorite streaming services.
Getting published is competitive. Writing a story that stands out takes craft.
Thousands of new books enter the market, and only a small fraction reach the most recognized bestseller lists.
A compelling idea is a starting point. Learning to develop memorable characters, build tension, control pacing, and create a story readers can't put down can help you give that idea its strongest possible chance.
The writers who stand out understand that great storytelling is a craft — and they're willing to invest in learning it.
That's what being an Outlier is all about.
What it means to be an Outlier...
It's choosing to approach your writing with intention. To learn from bestselling authors who've mastered their craft. To surround yourself with people who share your ambition. And to keep showing up for your story, even when there's more to learn.
You don't have to be a bestselling author to belong here. You just have to be willing to do the work that moves you closer to your goals.
Because the next story that stands out could be yours.
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Outliers helped me to see my story the way a ready would. That alone was worth it!"
— DEE, STUDENT & DEBUT PUBLISHED AUTHOR
*Sources and context: The 4.17 million figure represents U.S. book ISBN records in 2025, as reported by Publishers Weekly using Bowker data. The 15.4% figure is calculated from the 642,242 traditionally published records as a share of the 4,172,222 total ISBN records; figures include print and e-book formats, and different formats or editions of the same title may be counted separately. The “fewer than 500” figure comes from a peer-reviewed study published in EPJ Data Science examining New York Times hardcover fiction and nonfiction bestseller lists. It is a historical estimate, not a count of all bestseller lists or a current annual total. Sources: Publishers Weekly (March 17, 2026); EPJ Data Science, “Success in books: a big data approach to bestsellers”.