Novel in a Year: Young Adult/Middle Grade

with James Klise

THIS IS THE YEAR TO WRITE YOUR NOVEL

Novel in a Year: Young Adult/Middle Grade is a unique opportunity for aspiring novelists to study the art of fiction, refine their craft, share their work, get and give constructive feedback, and join a supportive, educational, and literary cohort of fellow writers. 

It’s a chance to devote an entire year to your novel, giving it the attention and effort your work deserves. Award-winning YA author James Klise will lead workshops, offer craft lessons, and provide comprehensive, supportive feedback on your young-adult or middle-grade manuscript. Within the workshop, your group will examine the total novel-writing process, from initial drafting through revision, and conclude with some tips for approaching agents and editors with your work.

This program will meet virtually for the 2023 cohort.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

The class is appropriate for writers anywhere in the first draft of a novel. Some students already may have completed 100 pages (or more) of their manuscripts; others may have nothing more than a first chapter or initial scenes. Work of any genre is welcome.

It will help all students to have some knowledge of the marketplace: Do you eagerly read middle grade novels and/or young adult novels? If not, this will be a good year to dive in! There’s never been a better selection of diverse, compelling, imaginative, and meaningful work for young readers.

This application-based class is selective. We are looking for students with talent and drive, though familiarity with the workshop process or previous experience writing a novel is not necessary.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Specific topics covered during the class sessions include:

  • The Author’s Promise (to the reader and to herself/himself)
  • Voice, Tense, & Point of View
  • Character Building
  • Effective Openings
  • Setting & Description
  • Using Scene & Summary
  • Plotting and Pacing
  • Tension & Dialogue
  • Satisfying Endings
  • Revision
  • How Publication Works
  • Submitting Your Novel to Agents/Editors

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 craft, solve drafting challenges, workshop scenes, and share some snacks and beverages. In between class sessions you’ll have plenty of time to write and generate new work while still staying in touch 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 work. In addition to workshopping short scenes in class, participants will meet individually with James for 100-page 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.)

Additionally, the class also includes optional evening social gatherings via Zoom, to be scheduled between James 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’ve already made headway on your novel or are just gathering ideas, 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 strong network of alumni, many of whom are experiencing publishing success.

The program fee is $2,500. 

This tuition includes:

11 sessions, meeting once per month for 11 months
A 100-page manuscript review with James Klise
3 comped passes to our Master Class series
A private online chat forum
VIP status at the Studio
A literary community to take well beyond this program

2023 Schedule Meets on the Following Dates on Tuesdays, 6:30pm – 9:30pm Central:

Jan 24
Feb 21
March 21
April 18
May 23
June 20
July 18
Aug 22
Sept 19
Oct 24
Nov 28

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

This course is limited to 12 students and is submission based.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. You can indicate you’d like to be considered for the Doro Boehme Scholarship fund, a $500 grant toward tuition.

The next cohort will begin in January 2023, and applications will be open fall 2023. 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.