Dear writers,
I’m thrilled to offer my very own workshop for writers who are working on middle grade prose novels. Teaching has long been a passion of mine. I’ve spent a lot of time on other people’s faculties — Rosemont MFA, Hamline MFAC, Gotham Writers Workshop, and so on — but for years, I’ve wanted to create and lead a workshop of my own, one that allows me the freedom to build and lead a writing community dedicated solely to middle grade fiction.
This six-week virtual workshop will be packed with craft, all focused on capturing the middle grade audience. We’ll start each session with generative writing and craft lessons, followed by peer workshopping. You will have the opportunity to workshop up to 4K words with your peers. You’ll also have an opportunity to receive 1:1 feedback with me on an additional 4K words. At the end of the class, you’ll receive a practical, take-home guide to self-revision.
Basically, here’s what you get:
- A small workshop community with other MG writers
- Workshop up to 8K words of your manuscript (4K with your peers, and 4K with me)
- Receive a take-home guide on self-revision
- Mini-craft lessons
- Generative writing
This inaugural workshop will run every Tuesday from August 6-September 10. The schedule is as follows:
- 6-8 PM ET Tuesday, August 6, 2024
- 6-8 PM ET Tuesday, August 13, 2024
- 6-8 PM ET Tuesday, August 20, 2024
- 6-8 PM ET Tuesday, August 27, 2024
- 6-8 PM ET Tuesday, September 3, 2024
- 6-8 PM ET Tuesday, September 10, 2024
This is a small workshop of only ten writers; unfortunately, this means there will be an application process to select participants. To apply, you must meet the following qualifications:
- You must be working on a MG prose novel. No verse novels or graphic novels. Middle grade novels are intended for readers ages 8 to 12. I understand these categories can be tricky. If you’re writing a chapter book and aren’t sure if it qualifies as “middle grade,” or if you’re writing a young YA that might cross both audiences, but you aren’t sure if it qualifies, go ahead and apply.
- You must have up to 15K on your manuscript. Even if it’s messy and doesn’t quite make sense yet.
- You must be able to attend every Zoom session.
- You must be able to function respectfully in a workshop setting. In other words: You must be a good human.
- You must be over the age of 18.
Applications will be open from June 1-7. The application form will appear here on June 1. Applicants will be notified the first week of July.
The cost of the workshop is $750, which can be paid in three installments. If you’re accepted, the first payment ($250) will be due upon acceptance. The second payment will be due on August 1. The third payment will be due September 1.
Happy writing,
Erin
