Manuscript Month

Manuscript Month

In a Nutshell

Writing a book is challenging enough, so getting your manuscript submission-ready while navigating the publishing landscape shouldn’t be even harder. But without meaningful opportunities for writers to learn how publishing really works or to connect directly with agents and editors, many talented writers can struggle with no real roadmap to success.

Taking place in May 2025, GrubStreet’s Manuscript Month is here to give you permission to a dedicate a full month to take serious steps in your writing and publishing journey. This is the only time of the year GrubStreet offers its exclusive access to literary agents and editors through our Manuscript Mart — an unparalleled opportunity to meet with leading agents or editors who will read your work in advance and provide feedback — alongside unique 90-minute seminars, advanced month-long workshops, and events packed with practical, no-nonsense advice from professional authors who know exactly what it takes to create an achievable path to publication.

Whether you’re polishing your manuscript or just want to demystify the publishing journey, Manuscript Month is here to inspire, connect you with the right people at the right time, and help you take the next steps for your writing.

What's Happening

• Manuscript Mart: Have a manuscript that’s ready to share? Want exclusive feedback from industry professionals? Book a 20-minute meeting with leading literary agents or editors who will read your work in advance and provide feedback from an industry perspective in our popular Manuscript Mart. Meeting will take place online the week of May 13–17. Note: Registration for Manuscript Mart opens for members on 2/20 and non-members 2/24.

Learn More About Booking Agent or Editor Meetings

• Sessions: Honing your pitch? Revising your manuscript? Exploring self-publishing? These 90-minute sessions provide the tools and guidance from experienced authors and industry professionals to help strengthen your craft and demystify the publishing process.

Register for Sessions

• Manuscript Workshops: Ready to workshop your manuscript in progress? These advanced 4-week workshops will help you deep dive into your novel, memoir/nonfiction, autofiction, romance, and mystery manuscripts.

Register for Workshops

• Write-A-Thon: Nothing creates accountability like a public declaration! Challenge yourself to write 50 hours with the GrubStreet community in our second annual Write-A-Thon.

Join Write-A-Thon

• In-Person Events: For those local to Boston, join us for weekly publishing panels and author conversations at GrubStreet’s Center for Creative Writing, including a special conversation about the author's journey featuring bestselling author Kali Fajardo-Anstine (Woman of Light, Sabrina & Corina) and Melissa Rivero (Flores and Miss Paula) on May 29.

Register for Events

• Manuscript Month Closing Conversation: Close out Manuscript Month with award-winning author Maurice Carlos Ruffin and bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan, sharing insights on staying creatively engaged and productive during challenging times in an online event.

RSVP

Who’s This For?

Manuscript Month is for anyone who feels caught in the gap between their writing dreams and the sometimes-daunting reality of publication. It features online programming open for writers across the country focusing primarily on book-length projects like novels or memoirs, but is also helpful for anyone — regardless of genre or career stage — who’s interested in learning more about what it takes to get published.

How Does it Work?

Manuscript Month is a true choose-your-own-adventure where you can select exactly what works for your schedule, interests, and needs. Want to meet with an agent in our Manuscript Mart? Sign up. Interested in learning from authors in special sessions or workshops? Pick the ones that excite you most. It’s all à la carte with zero requirements.

For those local to Boston, we’ll also have engaging in-person events each week that you can join at GrubStreet’s Center for Creative Writing, featuring editor and agent panels and more.

Want to use this opportunity to set targeted goals for your manuscript word count? Our popular Write-A-Thon challenge is returning throughout May, too.

Plus, we’re capping the whole month off with an inspiring free online discussion about artistic resilience with acclaimed authors Maurice Carlos Ruffin and Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Manuscript Mart

At the Manuscript Mart, an established literary agent or editor will read your work in advance and meet with you online, via Zoom, to provide direct feedback. These one-on-one, 20-minute sessions will be scheduled for you during Manuscript Mart Week—May 13–17, 2025. Your chosen literary agent or editor will have read TEN (10) pages of your work in advance, along with an optional query letter and/or synopsis, and will provide feedback from an industry perspective.

Manuscript Mart Important Dates:

• Manuscript Month Free Info/Q&A Session: 2/18
• Manuscript Mart Appointments Open for Members: 2/20 (opens at 1 PM EST)
• Manuscript Mart Appointments Open for Non-Members: 2/24 (opens at 1 PM EST)
• Manuscript Mart Free Prep Seminar: 3/5
• Manuscript Mart Appointments Deadline: 4/8 at 11:59 PM EDT
• Manuscript Mart Appointments Take Place: Week of May 13–17, 2025

Learn More

Sessions, Workshops, & Events

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for Manuscript Month sessions, workshops, and Manuscript Mart appointments. You can apply for scholarships directly from the registration page of sessions and workshops by simply clicking on "Apply for Scholarship" within that page, and then filling out the short application.

To apply for a Manuscript Mart scholarship, click here.

Questions

Have questions? Email us at [email protected].