Welcome to Whole Novel: An Online Course Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers

OVERVIEW:

Welcome to this Multi-Month Online Course with a Full Novel Critique!

The Highlights Foundation Whole Novel Workshop offers you the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and a private consultation provided. This online program is for any writer of a middle grade or young adult novel.

Out of respect for others who are on the waitlist, we ask that you please complete this registration process within 2 weeks of being offered acceptance. Choose the payment option that works best for you and your budget, or contact us to set up a personalized payment plan.

KEY PROGRAM ELEMENTS:

• LIVE SESSIONS (All lectures are recorded for those who cannot attend live): 
  • Lectures: Thursdays, April 25, May 2, May 9, May 16 at 7:30pm – 8:30pm EST;
  • Peer to Peer Workshopping: Thursdays, May 23, 30, and June 6 at 7:30pm – 8:30pm EST;
  • Writing Exercises & Presentations: Thursdays, June 13, 20, & 27 at 7:30pm – 8:30pm EST
• Complete manuscript submissions due by May 16
• Feedback letters delivered to writers by June 20
• 60-minute, 1:1 Private Zoom Consultation: Scheduled at a mutually convenient time, June 20 – 26
• The cost of the full course (including lectures, feedback letter, 1:1 consultation, workshopping, and writing exercises) is $2,199. Please note that once your submission has been turned into faculty you are subject to a $1,100 cancellation fee should you decide to leave the course for any reason. You will still receive your 1:1 feedback.

FEEDBACK EXPECTED:

• You will be thoughtfully paired with a faculty reader who will offer written insights and questions about your drafted novel (up to 80,000 words), and help you prioritize goals. You will receive this written feedback along with a private consultations to discuss feedback and goals by June 20.
• You will spend time with peers in small groups discussing and workshopping select writing assignments from the virtual classroom. You will be expected to read and engage with these short submissions. (Word count will be limited with ample time to read and prepare.)
• You will have a 60-minute private consultation with your reader to discuss feedback, revisions, and next steps.
• Informal feedback will occur throughout the presentations.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

By April 18  you will be invited into our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow novelists, access the Zoom link for live sessions, and review related resources (including the Highlights Foundation’s community standards.)

PART ONE: Craft Discussions & Submissions

*Faculty may adjust the order of topics presented.

Week One (April 25 at 7:30pm – 8:30pm Eastern): Bringing Yourself to Your Writing (& Writing Exercises) with Eric Bell

Week Two (May 2 at 7:30pm – 8:30pm Eastern): The Power of Language (First Page to Last) with Gloria Muñoz

Week Three (May 9 at 7:30pm – 8:30pm Eastern): Crafting Multi-Dimensional Characters with Nikki Shannon Smith

*Submissions due on or before MAY 16

Week Four  (May 16 at 7:30pm – 8:30pm Eastern): Who Tells the Story? Point of View with Lyn Miller-Lachmann

PART TWO: Peer Groups, facilitated by the Highlights Foundation

Week Five (May 23 at 7:30pm – 8:30pm Eastern)  Peer Group Set Up & Peer Groups (bring opening page to read aloud)

*Submission for peer group week six due on or before May 24

Week Six (May 30 at 7:30pm – 8:30pm Eastern)    Peer Groups

*Submission for peer group week seven due on or before May 31

Week Seven (June 6 at 7:30pm – 8:30pm Eastern)  Peer Groups

PART THREE: Revision, Feedback, and Q & A

Week Eight (June 13 at 7:30pm- 8:30pm Eastern)       Timelines, Storyboards, & Back Outlining with Alisa Alering 

Week Nine (June 20 at 7:30pm- 8:30pm Eastern)     Revision & Preparing for your feedback letter & processing feedback with Ashley Hope Pérez

*Editorial letters delivered by June 21

* June 21 – 26: 1:1 meetings with reader

Week Ten (June 27 at 7:30pm- 8:30pm Eastern)      Faculty Panel/ Q & A/ Goal Setting (faculty available)

A note about workshop agendas and how they change and evolve.

COMMITMENT REQUIRED FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE:

In addition to the deadlines and presentations (see above) participants will be asked to reserve time to work on their novels, commit to small group discussions, and schedule one, 60-minute, 1:1 consultation with their faculty reader.

Aside from the 1:1 sessions and the small groups sessions, we will make every effort to record and post presentations in the virtual classroom within 24-hours from the end of their live session. You will have access to all recordings in the virtual classroom until July 31, 2024.

The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.

Trying to figure out how this course fits into your schedule? Read some ideas about planning for the right level of commitment.

HOW IT IMPACTS KIDS:

Your novel can make a big impact on a child’s life. This workshop helps you take steps toward bringing it to market in a way that is authentic to your voice and your story, because that is just what your reader needs.

Why do we mention this? Learn about the Highlights Foundation mission.

TESTIMONIALS:

“The faculty was amazing! Each and every one willingly shared their knowledge and showed so much support to all of the workshop participants. They offered great suggestions to make our novels stronger and showed genuine care for our entire group. Fantastic experience!”

“The faculty were warm, inspiring, wise, encouraging, helpful, and funny. The workshops were as inspiring and as helpful as the presenters. I couldn’t have asked for more!”

“The Zoom sessions were such a highlight of each week! Loved all the instructors and the other students. I feel like I made some friends and took a big step forward with my novel draft.”