Novel in Progress: Online

Class Description

First drafts of novels can be messy, amorphous, and daunting. Extensive critical feedback can be counterproductive before the first draft is finished, yet writers often find themselves losing focus without support and guidance. This intermediate to advanced course is for writers who have made significant progress on their novel or are close to completing a full draft, and are looking for accountability, community, and motivation.

This is a generative course rather than a formal workshop. The focus isn't necessarily on learning new aspects of craft--though that learning will happen--but on the process of completing and beginning to revise a draft. Each week’s lesson will include writing prompts that can be applied to a work in progress, short podcasts, and craft and revision technique discussions in the context of the novel. At least three times during the course, writers will have the opportunity to post up to five pages of their work for impressions from their fellow students, and in the last week, all writers will be invited to submit twenty pages of their manuscript to the instructor for a written critique. Novels of all genres are welcome.

*Note that while our handy dandy "Schedule" tab states a 6-7pm class time, there are actually no live meetings for this class! Assignments and deadlines will be given by your instructor. Students will have access to the online class portal starting at 5pm on the first day of class. Instructions for logging onto the online portal will be emailed to registered students before 5pm the first day of class.

Did you know that we have scholarships available for all GrubStreet classes? To apply, click the "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button in the top right corner of this page. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your scholarship application and await our Scholarship Committee's decision before registering for the class. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.