Year-Long Writing Projects

If not now, when? 

A year is more than enough time to finish a manuscript, but it takes guidance and determination. And lots of roadblocks can get in the way—Maybe you've had a great idea for a manuscript or poetry collection, but you don't know how to start. Maybe you keep hitting stumbling blocks when you sit down to write. Maybe you've got a draft, but parts of it just aren't working and you don't know how to fix them. Maybe you're unsure about how to polish your manuscript and don't feel confident that you're ready to pursue publication.

The Loft's Year-Long Writing Projects can help you take the next year to make your novel, memoir, or poetry collection the best you can make it. As a participant, you'll join a small cohort for a year of rigorous reading, focused writing, meticulous revising, and deep study of craft. You’ll meet best-selling authors, luminaries in publishing, distinguished booksellers, and literary agents. But most importantly, you’ll develop the resources and relationships to move ahead with a writing life once your project is finished.

After 12 months of studying with instructor Peter Geye (Novel Writing Project), Carolyn Holbrook (Memoir/Creative Nonfiction Project), 신 선 영 Sun Yung Shin (Memoir/Creative Nonfiction Project), or Heid E. Erdrich (Poetry Apprenticeship), your manuscript(s) will be submission-ready, and you'll be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pitch to editors, pursue publication, and move forward with a writing life. All cohorts meet online via Zoom.

Registration

Summer registration opens on May 1 for members; May 2 for non-members. Participation is limited to 12 people per project cohort for the year. There is no application for the Year-Long Writing Projects. When registration opens, you have the option to pay in full or set up a payment plan (by calling our office or emailing [email protected]) in order to secure your seat. Once payment is taken and registration in class confirmed, you and your teaching artist will schedule an initial meeting to take place before the first class. This is to ensure that the program is a good fit for you and your goals.* Registration is on a first-come; first-serve basis. More details here. Please note that you can only sign up and be considered for one genre cohort.

Placement in the cohort is not guaranteed, and if you or the teaching artist decides this is not a good fit before the second session, you are eligible for a full refund. Please see our terms and tuition page for more information.

Upcoming Year-Long Cohorts
Writing Project Information

Info Session

The Loft hosted a free info session on October 25 with our Writer Project mentors for winter 2024 start dates. Tune in below if you missed the session. 

Come to our May 7 informational session!

Come to our free, virtual information session on May 7, 2024, 5:30-7:00 PM to hear from the teaching artist, get detailed information about the Year-Long Writing Projects, and see if this program is a fit for you.