Alida Winternheimer

Alida Winternheimer is a novelist, writing coach, and developmental editor based in Minneapolis. She holds an MFA in writing from Hamline University and has spent over a decade teaching story craft to writers across genres, from sci-fi and fantasy to memoir and literary fiction.

Her fiction is set in the small towns and lakes of the upper Midwest, with stories that examine the secrets behind what looks like ordinary Minnesota life. The Skoghall Mystery Series, beginning with Murder in Skoghall, blends paranormal suspense with a strong sense of place. Her short fiction has been nominated three times for the Pushcart Prize and earned a notable mention in Best American Essays. Murder in Skoghall won the Page Turner Award through reader votes from Minnesota librarians.

For writers, she is best known for The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction series, a set of craft books that includes The Story Works Guide to Writing Character and The Story Works Guide to Writing Point of View. Each book breaks an element of story craft into teachable parts, with exercises drawn from her years as a teacher and editor. The books are designed for self-directed study and used in writing programs and reading groups.

She co-hosts the Story Works Round Table podcast, which interviews working writers and walks through craft questions with practical examples. She also runs an online school for fiction writers, teaches live workshops, and has served as a mentor and instructor for the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop. She is a member of PEN, the Professional Editors Network, and the Women Fiction Writers Association.