Classes, Workshops, & Talks
Danielle Grandinetti writes award-winning 1930s historical romantic mystery and suspense.
Her historical fiction has received numerous industry accolades, including the 2026 Holt Medallion, a Distinguished Faith in Writing Award, and two National Excellence in Storytelling Awards, alongside finalist honors in the Selah, Daphne du Maurier, and FHLCW Reader’s Choice contests.
Danielle is a second-generation Italian-American and holds a master’s degree in communication and culture. Fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature, she crafts historical romance novels exploring immigrant heritage, found family, and cozy Midwest traditions.
Writing Craft Classes
Writing Conflict Without Words
Nonverbal communication in fiction — what to write when your characters aren’t talking.
Looking to add conflict to your story? Want to improve your showing vs telling or move beyond standard dialogue tags?
This class teaches you how to use nonverbal communication to strengthen character interactions and deepen tension. Because more than half of human communication is nonverbal, learning how to show physical cues, gestures, tone, and subtle shifts in behavior can make your scenes more engaging and realistic.
You will learn the major types of nonverbal signals, how to show them naturally on the page, and how to layer them to reveal conflict, emotion, and motivation without relying on internal monologue or explanation. These tools work across genres and will help you write clearer, more dynamic scenes.
Writing Other Cultures
Intercultural communication in fiction — how to write from another perspective.
Writing outside your own community or background can be challenging. Whether your characters come from a different culture, economic setting, or language tradition, it helps to understand how communication shifts across these contexts.
This class offers practical tools for writing characters who are different from you with accuracy and respect. You will learn common pitfalls, how to avoid stereotyping, and how to use intercultural communication principles to build authentic conflict and clearer character interactions.
No matter your character’s background or your own, these foundations will help you write with confidence and care.
Writing Vivid Description
Bringing your story to life.
“Show, don’t tell” is common advice, but learning how to show well takes practice. This class focuses on how to build immersive settings and use description with purpose.
You will learn how to engage all five senses, how to balance detail without slowing the pace, and how to make your world feel real whether you write historical, contemporary, or futuristic fiction. Strong setting work also strengthens characterization, giving your characters a believable environment to move and react within.
Author Tools & Marketing Classes
BookFunnel 101
How to set up and use BookFunnel with confidence.
Do you want to send a free book to readers, deliver e-ARCs to your launch team, or join multi-author events? BookFunnel is a reliable tool for all of these, but getting started can feel confusing.
This workshop walks you through setting up your BookFunnel account, choosing the right plan for your needs, and uploading your books whether they are traditionally published, independently published, or in Kindle Unlimited. We also cover the main features available to you and how to use them effectively.
By the end of the workshop, you will be able to use BookFunnel in the ways that best support your goals.
(Note: Danielle uses BookFunnel but is not compensated for teaching this class.)
Loving Your Newsletter
How to build a newsletter you enjoy and your readers trust.
Newsletters can feel overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. If you’re unsure what to write, how often to send, or how to manage your subscribers, this class breaks the process down into clear steps.
We will start by looking at the purpose and tone of your newsletter, then move into practical skills such as design basics, sign-up forms, automation and drip campaigns, DMARC alignment, list maintenance, and effective newsletter magnets. The goal is to help you create a newsletter that feels manageable, consistent, and reader-focused.
By the end, you will have the tools to build a newsletter rhythm that works for you — and one you might even enjoy.
Story & Communication Workshops
Harnessing the Power of (Your) Story
Why storytelling matters and how to use it well.
Stories help us connect, understand one another, and make sense of our experiences. Research supports this, including studies showing that people respond to stories with increased empathy and openness — across backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.
This workshop looks at why storytelling is so effective and how you can use it in your writing, your conversations, or your daily life. Whether you write fiction, share personal stories, or simply want to communicate with more clarity, this session offers practical ways to use story to build connection and understanding.
Interested in Having Danielle Speak?
If you would like Danielle to teach a class, lead a workshop, or speak for your group, you can reach out to discuss availability, format options, and any other details. Contact her here.