October 6 - December 1
Online
$2199Overview
Apply for this transformative opportunity to have your entire draft (up to 85,000 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.
KEY DATES:
- Apply on or before September 16 (with final notifications on or before September 23)
- Live sessions Tuesdays, 7:30pm – 8:30pm Eastern: October 6 – December 1
- Lectures: Tuesdays: October 6, 13, 20, 27, & November 3
- Reading week for peer groups: November 10
- Peer to Peer Workshopping: November 17 & 24
- Final Presentation: December 1
- All lectures are recorded for those who cannot attend live.
- Complete manuscript submissions due by November 3.
- Feedback letters delivered to writers by December 14.
- 60-minute, 1:1 Private Zoom Consultation: Scheduled at a mutually convenient time, December 14 – December 22.
- The cost of the full course (including live sessions, feedback letter, 1:1 consultation, workshopping, and writing exercises) is $2,199
- Spots in the program are limited based on availability
Why Do I Need to Apply to this Program?
There is no fee to apply.
The Whole Novel Workshop is reserved for novelists who have made significant independent progress on their drafts and need a review of the “whole novel” to move forward in their revision goals.
As such, you will need to have a completed draft of your novel that matches the criteria for the course by the submission due date (no later than November 3).
We ask that you apply to the course to make sure that the Whole Novel format is the best fit for your goals.
Please submit:
- The first 10 – 15 pages from the manuscript you wish to workshop
- A one-page synopsis or general outline
- Tentative word count, workshop goals, and a short bio (including how you are connected to this project)
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting immediately through September 16.
You will be notified of your acceptance status no later than September 23, 2026, and if accepted, asked to pay a $500 non-refundable deposit and set up a payment plan or pay your registration in full. (You may also use a scholarship that you have been previously awarded to attend a Whole Novel program.) Once manuscripts have been submitted in full there is a cancellation fee of $1,100. You will receive your feedback letter and consultation with this cancellation.
The cost of the full course (including live sessions, feedback letter, 1:1 consultation, workshopping, and writing exercises) is $2,199.
Why This Workshop?
Online, Multi-Week Whole Novel Program
The Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft of a novel (up to 85,000* words) read with written feedback and a private consultation, along with rich presentations specifically designed for novelists at this stage in their writing journey.
This virtual course features:
- Rich presentations (Sessions may include: The Importance of Setting; Deepen Your Characters; Bringing Yourself to the Page; Revision; The Power of Language; and more!)
- Writing exercises and small group workshopping (First 15 pages for peer groups due November 3.)
- A feedback letter offering written insights and questions about your drafted novel (up to 85,000* words) to help you prioritize goals and next steps.
- A 60-minute private consultation with your reader to discuss feedback, revisions, and next steps.
- Connection opportunities with fellow writers.
All presentations are recorded for those who cannot attend live.
Please note:
- If accepted to the program, your full novel draft must be submitted to your reader by November 3, 2026.
- *If accepted, should your full novel be over the 85,000 word limit, you may be asked to summarize a portion, or compensate your faculty reader for additional length.
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You have a complete or near-complete draft of a novel. You’ll get the most out of this workshop if you’re at this stage. Your full workshop novel submission is due November 3.
- Your project is one of many fiction genres, a graphic novel, a verse novel, or a multi-genre novel. If you aren’t sure if your novel fits the program specifics, please reach out and ask.
- You would benefit from receiving multiple feedback perspectives. In addition to a whole novel review by your faculty reader, you will lead a discussion for feedback from fellow writers.
- You’re willing to work! This program is best for those who will dedicate time and attention to processing feedback, revising, writing exercises, and group sessions.
- You enjoy online learning. This workshop takes place on Zoom with regular meetings on Tuesdays, October 6 – December 1. Can’t attend live? Presentations will be recorded. (Please note that 1:1 consultations and small group workshopping will not be recorded.)
About the Whole Novel Workshop Online
DUMMY ROW - WILL BE HIDDEN
What Level of Feedback Can I Expect for My Work?
Feedback Expected
- 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.) First 15 pages for peer groups due November 3.
- You will be thoughtfully paired with a faculty reader who will offer written insights and questions about your drafted novel (up to 85,000 words), and help you prioritize goals. You will receive this written feedback by December 14. A private consultation to discuss feedback and goals with your faculty reader will be scheduled at a mutually convenient time.
- Informal feedback will occur throughout the presentations.
If you’d like to learn more, see our note on feedback in our programs.
How Does This Workshop Support Our Mission?
Our mission is to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves. 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.
Can I Connect with Other Participants Prior to the Workshop?
You will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow creatives and engage in Boyds Mills related resources (including our Community Standards), prior to the event.
Where Can I Learn More About the Whole Novel Workshop?
Podcast: The Braintrust Critique, with Nicole Valentine and Rob Costello
5 Tips to Make Your Novel Opening a Strong One
Podcast: Melissa Wyatt on Inspiring Your Writing Practice with Prompts
Take Your Character to Work Day
Sarah Aronson on Play, Revision and the Whole Novel Workshop
FAQ ABOUT THE WHOLE NOVEL WORKSHOP
Both versions feature skilled faculty mentors, craft presentations, peer group workshopping and writing exercises. The two main differences are:
- The in-person workshop offers a unique opportunity to focus and to network. At our Retreat Center, you are away from your daily obligations, cared for by our staff with 3 meals a day, have a private space to work in, and the opportunity to network with the entire faculty and other students during meals and lectures. In addition to your editorial letter from your mentor, you will get 2 private consultations, 1 via Zoom before the retreat and the other during the retreat.
- At the online workshop, you will have only 1 private consultation with your faculty mentor, but you are able to control when/how you ingest the lectures (they are all recorded in case you can’t attend live.) If you have obligations that keep you from travelling to the Retreat Center, you can still focus on your novel, take advantage of the valuable feedback, and make connections—at your own pace.
Here are some blog posts about the Whole Novel Workshop experience:
Discovering the Magic of the Whole Novel Workshop
Podcast: The Braintrust Critique with Nicole Valentine and Rob Costello
Why does the Whole Novel Workshop require an application?
The WNW is reserved for novelists who have made significant independent progress on their drafts and need a review of the “whole novel” to move forward in their revision goals. As such, applicants need to have a completed draft of their novel that matches the criteria for the course by the submission due date. There is no fee to apply; we just want to make sure that this format is the best fit for your goals.
Do I have to pay for the workshop when I apply?
No. You will be notified of your acceptance status and if accepted, asked to pay a $500 non-refundable deposit and set up a payment plan or pay your registration in full.
Is there a minimum word count for my finished manuscript?
There is not a minimum. Because the course works for all types of novels (graphic novels, verse novels, etc.) it would be hard to set a minimum.
What if my novel is more than your maximum of 85,000 words?
Your faculty mentor will read your one-page synopsis and UP TO 85,000 words of your whole novel. Should your novel be over 85,000 words, we may ask you to summarize a portion, or compensate your faculty reader for additional word count.
When applying, how should my submission be formatted?
- As one pdf document, beginning with your synopsis.
- In 12-point font with your name on each page of the document.
- Your file should be named as FirstName.LastName_Genre_Title (example: Reilly.Lou_YAHistorical_The Last Home in Ireland.pdf)
- Your submission can be single or double spaced, whichever works best for the type of novel you are submitting.
How will you match me with my faculty mentor?
We get to know students from your application and during the first Zoom session. We then suggest matches to the faculty and the faculty has a chance to accept who they are working with.
What format will my editorial feedback take?
Your faculty reader will read your entire novel (up to 85,000 words) keeping in mind the questions you bring up in your submission cover letter. They will provide an editorial letter for you. For the most part their feedback will be dedicated to BIG-PICTURE revision (as opposed to line-by-line comments.)
We cannot stress enough how important the cover letter is to your submission. It is the primary conversation point in engaging your reader in the feedback that you need.
In addition to this written feedback, you will engage in conversation with your faculty reader during a 1:1 Zoom session. This conversation will help you structure your revision and goals in moving forward with this project.
These two blog posts can give more insight into the mentor process:
How Your Mentor’s Letter Can Help Even Before the Workshop Begins
Whole Novel Mentors: They Read the Entire Manuscript and They Go Deep
