An 8-Week Online Advanced Novel Writing Workshop
Mondays: March 6 - April 24, 6-9 PM
Now that you’ve finished your first draft or tenth draft, this workshop will get you closer to that final draft. Led by an experienced editor and writing coach who recognizes the specific challenges of the novel, getting to a final draft is less about extensive critical feedback and more about asking the right questions to find the voice in the work.
In this workshop, we will chart the path to generate clarity and focus for your novel. Each week, we will interrogate craft issues including narrative structure, storylines, beginnings and endings, sense of place, subtext, and making sure your characters resonate. Be open to new possibilities.
This session will also be a deep dive into your writing process and how your novel project fits into your life because, for many of us, we are asking the question, are their ideal conditions for writing a novel? We’ll explore this with an intention to help you to figure out where you are right now, leading to next steps, new insights, and a more purposeful vision. Ultimately, novel writing is a path of discovery, merging craft and writing process, inspiration, and creative vision.
This session includes: Short craft talks. Writing prompts and reading excerpts that include group discussion. Writers will be introduced to a workshop format that is engaging and generates supportive feedback from the group. Authors we will read include: Ruth Ozeki, Anthony Doerr, Ocean Vuong, Cormac McCarthy, Octavia Butler, Madeline Tien, and others. Editorial feedback will be offered to all writers during the 8-week session. Each writer will submit an excerpt of their writing for group workshop. You will have an optional bonus 30-minute 1:1 Zoom call with the instructor to receive professional editorial feedback. Novels of all genres are welcome!
Prerequisite: Completed at least one draft of your novel.
$410 Members/$545 Nonmembers
Asata Radcliffe is a writer and visual artist who received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University (Los Angeles). Her writing is multi-genre, including speculative fiction, essays, and scriptwriting. As a Kimbilio Fellow, her writing has appeared in anthologies and literary journals, including The Chart Anthology, Dawnland Voices, Luminescent Threads: Connections to Octavia Butler (The Collection), released by Twelfth Planet Press, along with being a co-producer and writer for her radio drama, The Collective. Her writing and art research projects include A Slower Ontology (SPACE Gallery), Kal (UNE Gallery), and A Convenient Soldier (Maine Historical Society). For over ten years, she has worked with authors as an editor and writing coach. Her time as a book reviewer for Kirkus Reviews led to her current role as a Developmental Editor for Atmosphere Press. Along with teaching creative writing workshops, she completed a speculative nonfiction chapbook about Maine that will be published in 2025. She is currently working on her first science fiction novel.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via our website. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-200-7180 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information.
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one partial scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due by October 22nd at 9:00 a.m.
→ MORE INFORMATION
MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION