Novel in a Year: Revise and Launch
with Abby Geni
THIS IS THE YEAR TO FINISH YOUR NOVEL…
Novel in a Year: Revise and Launch is the ideal class for any writer who is close to completing a novel. Students will join a writing cohort, learn about the revision and publication process, workshop the first 40 pages of their book, polish their synopsis, query letter, and elevator speech, troubleshoot particular issues in their writing, and prepare to send their work out into the world.
It’s a chance to devote an entire year to your novel, giving it the attention and effort your work deserves. Award-winning author Abby Geni will lead workshops, offer detailed craft lessons, and provide intensive feedback on your full manuscript.
This program will be online throughout the 2024 cohort.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Students who have finished a novel manuscript of any genre. The class will be most appropriate for students with a complete draft that has already seen some revision, though anyone with a finished draft may apply. Short story collections are also welcome. This application-based class is selective, and you will find your classmates to be gifted, dedicated writers.
Please note: StoryStudio offers several Novel in a Year classes, each designed for students at a specific experience level so you find the program that is the best fit for you. Skill and determination are a prerequisite for all the classes, and you will find remarkable, gifted, and devoted writers in every group.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Specific topics covered during the class sessions include:
- The Stages of Revision
- Novel Structure
- Outlining as an Editing Tool
- Consistency in Voice & Pacing
- Balancing Scene & Summary
- Beginning & Ending Your Book Well
- Small Edits & Big Cuts
- Making Sure Your Writing Is Always “Doing Work”
- Fulfilling Your “Contracts” with the Reader
- How to Know When You’re Done
- Looking for the Right Agent
- Writing a Synopsis
- Query Letters & Elevator Speeches
- The Ins & Outs of Publication
PLEASE NOTE: This program is for novelists who are ready to make a strong commitment to their work, and our waitlist for the course is typically very long. Students will be expected to participate in the full program.
HOW IT WORKS
Students will meet monthly for three-hour sessions to discuss the revision process, learn about novel craft, problem-solve particular issues in their work, workshop the opening of their novel, and share some snacks and beverages. In between class sessions, you’ll have plenty of time to write and revise while still staying in touch with other students via StoryStudio’s private online class forum.
We’ve structured this program to provide maximum benefit without demanding too much time away from focusing on your own writing. In addition to workshopping short scenes in class, participants will meet individually with Abby for full manuscript reviews.
Students enrolled in this course will receive complementary admission and early registration to three (3) classes from our acclaimed Master Class series throughout the year—a $195 value. (Recent and upcoming writers include Alexander Chee, Pam Houston, Vu Tran, R.O. Kwon, Sara Paretsky, and Garth Greenwell, among others.)
Following completion of the program, you’ll also have access to a private meeting with an agent or small press editors during our winter Publishing Intensive. A portion of the course prepares you for pitching to agents and writing a compelling query letter, as well as general guidance through the publication process.
The class also includes optional evening social gatherings via Zoom, to be scheduled between Abby and the cohort as desired. As a writer in our Novel in a Year program, you’re considered a “VIP” at the studio with early-bird access to programs and events.
Throughout the course, you’ll have access to a private online forum for exchanging additional work and sharing articles and links of interest. And most importantly, these courses provide accountability check-ins to report your progress and struggles, and keep you writing.
YOUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Whether you’re already drafting query letters to send to literary agents or just focusing on revision, your cohort will provide the structure, companionship, feedback, good humor, and emotional support to help you see your project through.
You’ll also join StoryStudio’s larger community—in person and on social media—where you can connect with students from other classes, receive “first chance” invitations to special programming, and stay informed about literary events around the city.
The Novel in a Year program has been going for TEN+ years strong, and you will have the opportunity to benefit socially and professionally from a wonderful network of alumni, many of whom are experiencing publishing success.
The program fee is $3,220.
This tuition includes:
11 sessions, meeting once per month for 11 months
A full manuscript review with Abby Geni
One agent meeting at our Publishing Intensive
3 comped passes to our Master Class/PJ Seminar series
A private online chat forum
VIP status at the Studio
A literary community to take well beyond this program
2024 Schedule Meets on the Following Dates on Thursdays, 6:30pm – 9:30pm Central:
January 18, 2024
February 8, 2024
March 14, 2024
April 11, 2024
May 9, 2024
June 13, 2024
July 11, 2024
August 8, 2024
September 12, 2024
October 10, 2024
November 14, 2024
HOW TO APPLY
APPLICATIONS OPEN OCT. 17 – NOV. 27, 2023
This course is limited to 12 students and is submission based.
- You will be asked to submit a 10-page writing sample in a .doc or PDF. The sample can be a short story or novel excerpt.
- Someone who submits on the first day has the same chance as someone who submits on the last day, so don’t worry, and don’t rush.
- Payment isn’t due until after the application period is closed and acceptances have been sent out. We are happy to discuss payment plans with students who are accepted.
- You can indicate you’d like to be considered for the Doro Boehme Scholarship fund, which awards the recipient a $500 grant.
The next cohort will begin in January 2024. Please subscribe to our newsletter to get the most up-to-date information. When applications open, we will update this page as well. To be notified when details are available, please put your name on our waitlist and we’ll contact you.