The Revision Intensive

Program Guidelines

Participants are prose writers who have completed a first draft (even if it’s a very rough first draft), and are seeking support, structure and editorial guidance to revise it and get it ready to send to agents and editors. It can be difficult to find a reliable, consistent, and skilled writing group, especially one that’s prepared to read your manuscript. Over the course of a year, the Revision Intensive will bring together a small, committed group of six writers, all working on improving their craft, revising their manuscripts, and getting an introduction to the publishing world. Writers agree to meet the deadlines for manuscript submission, to read and critique the manuscripts of other group members in advance, and to discuss them at the Friday/Saturday Revision Intensives. 

The group will meet on the first Friday and Saturday, every other month. (See dates below.) Two weeks prior to these Intensives, writers will send the group up to 50 pages double-spaced for reading and review. The Revision Intensives will meet in-person and online on Fridays (6:00 – 9:00 p.m. EST) and Saturdays (9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST) at our lovely studio in the historic Arts & Industry Building. We have hybrid technology at the studio, so long-distance applicants are welcome to attend via Zoom.  

Admission to the group also includes three, hour-long, individual conferences with Emily. During these conferences, writers will be asked to complete materials critical to getting their work published: polishing the first fifteen pages, drafting a one-page synopsis, and writing a query letter. These conferences serve to help writers envision the overall shape of their manuscripts, address specific challenges, provide individualized support for issues of craft, and prepare for the process of sending their manuscripts to agents. Writers are also encouraged to include these materials in their 50 page installments if they wish to receive feedback on them from the group. 

In addition to the Revision Intensive and conferences, writers are encouraged to attend Friday Night Writes, a weekly writing session with Emily to check in, discuss goals, and revise in community. These sessions are voluntary and drop-in friendly. Friday Night Writes will take place on Zoom on Friday nights from 5-8 p.m. EST. Members of the group also receive a 20% discount on any additional WIP workshops and retreats during the year and a special discount on editing/consulting services with Emily for a full year after the group’s completion.

The Revision Intensive is limited to just six writers who will make a commitment for the full year. Participants will receive extensive feedback from all group members and Emily. Intensives take place at Writers in Progress studio (and/or online) and include manuscript critiques, writing prompts, take-home exercises, handouts, and discussions on craft and process.  We will also spend time discussing agents, queries, proposals, and the publication process. Writers who still need to build toward a complete manuscript should consider the Manuscript Intensive, with Dori Ostermiller prior to the Revision Intensive. These are distinct, complementary programs designed for writers at various stages of the writing process.

Manuscript submissions for each intensive include up to 50 pages of double-spaced prose (up to 300 pages total for the year) and are sent to all group members two weeks ahead of each scheduled intensive.  Members are responsible for getting their manuscripts to all participants by the dates indicated on the calendar and attending all intensives. The series will culminate with a celebration and public reading.

Cost

$3750 includes all tuition and materials. A $500 deposit is due at the time of registration. While you are obligated to pay the entire tuition if you are accepted into the program, you may arrange to pay the tuition in installments to fit your needs.