Novel Writing Project

Novel Writing Project

2025 online cohort led by Peter Geye

Thursdays on Zoom | Starting February 6, 2025 | 6-9 p.m.

Thursdays on Zoom | Starting Feb. 6, 2025 | 6-9 PM

Peter Geye will meet with each person who signs up to determine if your project is a good fit for the year-long project. We will reach out to the list to schedule the check in between you and Peter. Please sign up at the link below. Payment and final registration will take place after this initial call. Payment info and options here.

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)

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.