Jumpstart your novel and writing practice in this ten-month intensive!
If you’re wondering how to write a novel and sustain a writing practice in the midst of everything, Novel Club is for you. Together, with the guidance of an experienced mentor and author and the camaraderie of your Novel Club cohort, this is the year we will write and revise our novels. Through craft talks, workshops, and generative exercises, you’ll experiment, look at your blocks, and define your creative process, building a regular writing practice that works for your project and busy life. You’ll find a clear path forward for your manuscript and actionable next steps.
Watch the Virtual Info Session
Meet Lisa Ko, instructor for our Novel Year workshop, and have all your questions about the program answered!
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Over these ten months, you will learn:
- Storytelling techniques and craft strategies and how to apply them: building scenes; developing characters; and elements of structure, plot, dialogue, voice, and perspective
- Uncover what your novel is about, clarify your writing intentions, and develop a plan for how to achieve them
- Opportunities to workshop and thoughtfully engage with each other’s novels in progress in a supportive environment
- Practical skills for the writing life and demystifying the publication process
Students may read and prepare written comments on up to 50 pages of their peers’ writing for each class meeting. You may also read an excerpt of published work in preparation for craft discussions.
You should take this workshop if:
- You have a story you want to tell, but don’t know where to start
- You’re at the beginning stages of writing a novel and unsure of how to proceed
- You’ve started writing a novel, but need a road map and more consistent structure to get to the finish line
- You’re a serious writer who is open to rigor and play and ready to show up with curiosity and consistency
Schedule
This class will meet virtually every other Wednesday, with 20 total sessions. Workshop dates run from March 4, 2026 – December 30, 2026, 8 – 10 pm ET. Full dates TBD.
1:1 Mentoring
All workshops will be held over Zoom, with additional opportunities to meet 1:1 with Lisa upon request. All enrolled students will have the option to schedule an individual follow-up meeting (1 hour) with Lisa approximately 6 months after the conclusion of the workshop.
To Apply
Application Deadline: Monday, February 16, 2026
To apply, send a brief cover letter explaining why you want to take this class and, if applicable, what your book in progress is about and where you are in your project (e.g., in the beginning/brainstorming stages, in the middle of writing a first draft, on your second round of revisions). A 5-10 page writing sample is encouraged, but not required. Send your submission to emily.holland@writer.org by Monday, February 16th, 2026. Admissions will be on a rolling basis so participants are encouraged to submit early.
Acceptance into the workshop is required before registering.
About Book Farm @ The Writer’s Center
The Writer’s Center hosts a series of workshops for serious writers to complete book-length projects, generate new work for publication, or master the elements of craft within a specific genre. You’ll work with an acclaimed author, guiding you through 4-12 months of lessons, workshops, and revisions. Our instructors are all accomplished educators with a track record of student success. Limited enrollment with rolling admission up to the application deadline, so apply right away to secure your spot!
All Book Farm participants receive an exclusive tote bag, a craft book recommended by the instructor, and a $100 gift certificate good toward future TWC workshops. Participants also receive exclusive access to The Writer’s Center staff, all of whom are accomplished writers with extensive experience in editing and publishing.
