Jumpstart Your YA/MG Novel

You’ve started out on a first young adult or middle grade novel—maybe you just have an idea, maybe you’ve written a few chapters, maybe you've written a lot, but have no idea where to go next. Have you found the right voice/age/perspective for your story? What is point of view, anyway, and how do you know when you’re doing it right? What about conflict, plot, and pacing? No matter where you are in the drafting process, this class can help! Each week we will focus on one area of novel-specific craft –– such as character development, scene building, and plot –– and generate new material through a series of prompts and exercises. Because the best way to learn to write a novel for young readers is to read novels for young readers, we will also read a YA/MG novel together and discuss how it employs the skills that we're learning, and how to incorporate these same skills in our own writing. Lastly, we will offer each other feedback and support, not only on each other's writing, but on our writing process –– we'll check in each week about our struggles and victories, and discuss strategies to keep ourselves motivated, during class and after. You will come out of this course with a slew of new scenes, and the insight, inspiration, craft skills to complete your draft.

Please note: Class does not meet April 3rd.

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.