Class Description
A competitive and affordable MFA-level course, spanning 12 months, for ten fiction writers interested in deep revision of their novel drafts, a comprehensive craft-based study of the novel form, and a thoughtful introduction to the publishing world.
The Novel Incubator year is divided into three distinct phases, each with its own requirements and structure. The year begins at the 2014 Muse and the Marketplace conference, a three-day symposium with over 90 sessions on the craft of fiction and the process of publishing.
- Phase I: (May - August), students receive full critiques of their entire novels in a workshop setting and craft lectures directly applicable to the novel form.
- Phase II: (September - December), students focus on discrete chapters and study the mechanics of chapter-writing as well as micro-editing.
- Phase III: The final phase (January - April) will follow the same format as the first, except that students receive full critiques of their entire revised novels. During this phase, students also submit their revised novels to an outside reader, an established author who will offer comprehensive macro feedback and suggestions for revision.
Throughout the year, students are guaranteed a certain number of one-on-one meetings with the instructor and the outside consultant to discuss the specifics of their projects as well as novels read outside of class. Toward the end of the final phase, prominent local authors, editors and/or agents will visit as guest speakers. At the end of the program, students will have a chance to meet with an agent and/or editor as part of the Manuscript Mart at the 2015 Muse and the Marketplace conference; this agent or editor will read an excerpt of the student's novel with an eye toward representation.
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 detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. Please visit the Resources tab to access the video-conference link.
Zoom Participation:
Students are not required to turn their camera on, but are encouraged to participate any way they feel comfortable through functions such as the live chat, emoji reactions, and unmuting the microphone. Learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
We ask that instructors enable closed captioning and send a transcript of the session after class. You can also enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting. If your instructor forgets to send the transcript, just send ’em an email!