Class Description
GrubStreet’s Online Novel Incubator is a ten-month, intensive program for writers ready to elevate their novel drafts and shape them into polished, submission-ready manuscripts. In this rigorous program, a small cohort of ten carefully selected writers intensely revise their novels. Along the way, they are guided by advanced craft discussions, instructor one-on-one mentorship, and an introduction to the publishing world. This includes a guest speaker series just for the class, and both formal and informal connections with literary agents and editors.
A key feature of the intensive Online Novel Incubator program is that writers receive workshops and reviews of their full manuscripts–a missing component from most MFA programs. Long after the program ends, graduates stay connected to the writing community they develop through the program, offering mutual support, motivation, and opportunities in a generous, ever-growing ecosystem of supportive writers.
We welcome writers of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Whether you’ve been writing for decades or just finished your first draft, we believe great writing comes from an expansive, curious, and inclusive mindset.
Ideal applicants have a complete draft of a novel (even a rough one), experience giving and receiving feedback in a workshop setting, and a commitment to growing in community. All genres are welcome. Writers still working toward a full draft may want to explore one of our Novel Generator programs, designed for earlier stages of the novel-writing journey.
Below is a quick list of key dates and information. More details about the program can be found via the side links.
Key Dates & Information
- Location: The 2026-2027 Online Novel Incubator will take place on Zoom.
- Application Opens: Monday, March 30, 2026
- Submission Deadline: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
- Notifications sent: August 2026
- Program Duration: September 2026 - June 2027
- Class Time: Mondays from 6-9pm ET
- First Day of Class: Monday, September 28, 2026
- Tuition Total: $9,225
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. After registering, a yellow Resources tab will appear in this section containing a link to join class. Please note that you will need to be logged into view the Resources tab.
Zoom Participation:
In our experience, the intimate nature of a writing workshop benefits from on-camera participation. Students are of course welcome to turn their camera off whenever they need to, but it is a community norm for cameras to be on most of the time. You can learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
You can enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting by clicking the CC button at the bottom of the screen. If you'd like to access the transcript after class, please make sure to let your instructor ahead of time that you'd like a copy.