Short Story Incubator
“It was an experience that definitely took my writing to the next level. I would recommend it to all serious writers!”
In a Nutshell
A competitive, accessible – and repeatable – MFA-level course, spanning 8 months, for ten short story writers from all backgrounds who want to move their stories from “workshop good” to publishable quality.
Date of Course: September 2022 - April 2023
Applications for the 2022-2023 Short Story Incubator are now open! Click here to apply. The application deadline has been EXTENDED to August 8th, 2022, at 11:59pm EST.
Free Open House and Info Session
Thinking of applying? Every summer, GrubStreet offers a Short Story Incubator Open House and Info Session with instructor Ron MacLean to answer any questions you have about the Incubator, including the workload, the application process, what the program does and doesn’t entail, the schedule, the philosophy behind our approach, and anything else on your mind. The next Open House will be held on June 23rd, 2022 at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston. Click here to register!
Overview and Goals
Most MFA-level writing programs focus on eliminating major problems in a story – getting it to the point where no one in workshop has any serious objections. Rarely does a program or course focus on developing a story into an outstanding, finished piece that fully realizes its writer’s vision. The Short Story Incubator was created to do just that: fill the gaps missing between regular short story workshops and MFA programs. Our unique model was designed to provide concrete and specific tactics to navigate the distance between “workshop good” and “publishable.” It is founded on two core premises:
- The short story is a living – and evolving – art form that every writer both follows and reinvents to provide their particular window on human experience.
- Essential to effective workshopping is honoring each writer’s material and approach, whether traditional or experimental, western-based or grounded in the traditions of another culture.
In this program, each writer helps define for themselves the measures that will take essential elements of story (e.g., grounding, tension, motion, resonance) and incorporate those into a narrative that reflects that writer’s vision, priorities, values, and intentions. We believe that all voices must be spotlighted with the range and fullness they deserve and that stories are made better when different voices and approaches are part of the conversation. Students working toward a story collection will have an opportunity to discuss – and check in on – their approaches and goals with the instructor, and will receive access to a 90-minute session on putting together and publishing story collections. They can also tailor their second-term goals toward milestones related to a collection.
There is no multi-term commitment. Students apply for each six-month program term and can take as many terms as they wish, with a new goal each time.
Want to learn more? Check out instructor Ron MacLean's explanation of the program in this podcast.
Measurable Successes
Among the achievements by writers in the program’s first two years:
- 2 agents contracted
- 10 published stories
- 1 O. Henry Award
- 1 semi-finalist, Katherine Anne Porter Prize
- 3 writing residencies
- 3 MFA programs
- 1 AWP Mentor Program
Testimonials
“The Short Story Incubator gave me the confidence to acknowledge and respect my own point of view. More than anything, the Incubator made me willing to take my seat at the table. And now I'm developing a collection.”
“It's a stunningly well-conceived and executed program.”
“Definitely took my writing to the next level. I would recommend it to all serious writers!”
“A wonderful experience with a group of writers of such high caliber and a level of workshop critique that I had not encountered before.”
Tuition
The entire cost of the program is $3,995. Tuition is payable in two installments.
Partial or full tuition fellowships are available and based on a combination of merit and financial need.
See more information about our submission guidelines, instructors, and curriculum.
Covid-19 Update
Prospective applicants to the Short Story Incubator or any other Incubator or Generator programs at Grub should either be local to Massachusetts/Boston area in order to participate in this program in-person. GrubStreet requires proof of vaccination and booster to participate in in-person programming. We will be following the lead of health experts and the city of Boston, and working alongside other arts organizations in our decision-making regarding in-person classes.
Questions?
If you have specific questions about the Short Story Incubator program, please email [email protected], or call the office anytime at 617.695.0075.