Novel Writing Project
2025 Registration is Closed
The Loft will follow up with you in the order you sign up. Signing up through these products is part of the registration process and does not guarantee you a slot until you complete the registration process.
Novel Writing Project
2025 online cohort led by Peter Geye
Thursdays on Zoom | Starting February 6, 2025 | 6-9 p.m.
2025 Novel Writing Project
One year is plenty of time to write a novel. That’s the first lesson of this year-long course. The hundred other lessons that follow will take into account everything from how to begin to how to end, and what to do with your novel once you’ve finished.
Over the course of the next calendar year, we’ll write seriously, we’ll read like scholars, we’ll meet best selling authors, luminaries in publishing, and distinguished booksellers and local literary agents. But most importantly, we’ll develop the resources and relationships to move ahead with a writing life once the course is finished.
Important Dates
Weekly Cohort Meeting Dates
Zoom link sent in confirmation email
All times listed in US Central Time
Writing Project Orientation
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
6–7:30 p.m.
Online, via Zoom
Final Public Reading
Thursday, January 8, 2026
7-8:30 PM
Online, via Zoom (link sent closer to date)
Access Funds
If you are experiencing financial hardship or tuition is a barrier for you, the Year-Long Writing Project offers two funded Access Fund seats in each cohort. There is a separate application. Seats are highly competitive, so learn more and apply below by November 4 for consideration!
Sample Reading List
Participants will be assigned four novels to read and learn from throughout the year. Examples of past cohort novel assignments include:
- That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam
- The Wildlands by Abby Geni
- The Rending and the Nest by Kaethe Schwehn
- Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
- The Story of My Teeth by Valeria Luiselli
- Once in a Blue Moon Lodge by Lorna Landvik
- Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
- A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
- Dear Committee Member by Julie Schumacher
- The Dead Lands by Benjamin Percy
- Vacationland by Sarah Stonich
- Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden
- Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel
- Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
- The Turner House by Angela Flournoy
Visiting Guests
Throughout the year, four to six visiting writers and publishing professionals will meet with your cohort as special guests. Confirmed guests in 2025 include:
- Mona Susan Power
- Kawai Strong Washburn
- Amy Greene
Examples of past guests include:
- Laila Lalami
- Rumaan Alam
- Mira Jacob
- Courtney Maum
- Benjamin Percy
- Sarah Stonich
- Emily St. John Mandel
- Joseph Boyden
- Chris Cander
- Shannon Gibney
- Linda LeGarde Grover
- Leif Enger
- Julie Schumacher
- Kaethe Schwehn
- Lorna Landvik
- Richard Blanco
- Diane Wilson
- In addition to many other visiting writers and publishing professionals from local and national publishing houses, publications, and literary agencies.
Novel Writing Project Instructor
The 2025/2026 online cohort will be led by Peter Geye.
