Write a Novel in Nine Months (Led by an award-winning novelist!)
(Scroll down to skip all my praise and get to the deets if you must)
Two of my favorite humans are Shawn and Maile (pronounced Miley) Smucker.
They are down to earth, kind, fun, and embody the phrase “good folks”. On top of being genuinely nice people, they are exceptionally gifted at writing and story-telling. Shawn, who has an honors degree in English, has written several books, including award-winning novels, and Maile, who also has an honors degree in English, has written three novels while also somehow focusing on raising their six (yes, six) kids. I stan.
Why am I telling you about these good, smart, wonderful, writerly people? Because they are offering something that I would not be sharing if it wasn’t from these two integrous friends of mine: a writing course. Now we’re not just talking about any old writing course, this is specifically geared to those of you who want to write a novel.
A Brief Word on Course Peddlers
A brief word before I continue. I am aware of the many peddlers of courses out there who haven’t actually done the work but want to make a quick buck. I get it and I’m wary myself of these kinds of things. What I’m telling you about this course is that I stake my reputation on recommending it because Shawn and Maile are the real deal, and I not only trust them, but I have worked alongside them and have a year’s long friendship with them and know their ability and their character. Okay, back to the course.
Through the course of the nine-month program you will:
Complete the first draft of an 80,000-word novel, either a brand-new story or completing one you’ve worked on before
Receive 30+ weekly videos that provide encouragement, direction, insight into various elements of writing a novel, and interviews with other authors
Participate in one to two monthly live Zoom calls where we’ll cheer you on, answer questions, and chat with industry experts, including authors, agents, and editors
Receive recommended reading selections that corresponds with where we’re at in the novel-writing process
Participate in workshop opportunities to give and receive feedback with your peers
Chat with other writers as well as Shawn and Maile on an online message board
Complete the program and move forward in your writing life with goals in mind and tangible steps forward!
Your Teachers
Shawn is an award-winning novelist by night (with five titles under his belt) and a collaborator and co-writer by day (having worked on 25+ books with other authors). He has an honors degree in English, has been making a living as a writer for eleven years, is represented by agent Rachelle Gardner, and has released books independently and with publishers.
Maile has an honors degree in English, has written three novels, and is currently in the querying process, so…she knows your pain. She has raised six children in the last 17 years and is beginning to have more time to dedicate to her first love…no, not Shawn. Writing. She has taught writing in different settings, including as a table leader for the Black Barn Online.
The two of them love coaching and encouraging other writers, something they do regularly at their podcast, The Stories Between Us. They can’t wait for you to join them on this novel-writing journey.
When will this program run?
Registration is open until February 24th. The first video will go out on February 28th, along with the syllabus and recommended reading list, and the class will run through the beginning of November.
What do you cover? Is there a syllabus?
See the syllabus at the bottom of this page.
How long will I have access / what if I fall behind?
You will have lifetime access to the core content videos, so if finishing in nine months is not possible because life gets in the way, you can work through the weekly videos at your own pace. Some components (like the live Zoom calls) are time-sensitive, but the core content videos can be worked through at any time.
I know what you’re all wondering…how much does this program cost?
We are currently offering everything listed above, including the 30+ recorded videos on writing, the Zoom calls, and the online community, for:
A one-time payment up-front of $899* (Less than $25/week)
ORA $100 deposit plus 9 monthly payments of $99 ($991 total), paid over the duration of the course*
We don’t know that we’ll ever be able to offer this course again for this price–every comparable course we’ve been able to find online is in the $1,200 – $2,000 range. But we really want this first run to be open to as many people as possible. We hope you’ll join us!
*There is a 30-day, no questions asked, 100% money-back guarantee. No refunds will be given after 30 days…but why would you want one? You’re on your way to writing a novel!
Friends, like I said earlier, it is not my thing to just share courses, but this is one I know will benefit you if you’re wanting to write or finish your novel with the help of not just experts, but good people. I cannot recommend Shawn and Maile enough. To get started, just head HERE.
I am so excited for you!
Love, Sarah Mae
NINE-MONTH NOVEL SYLLABUS
The Nine Month Novel
Syllabus*
Week 1 – Regarding our hopes and goals for the course
Week 2 – Using the combination of Character / Setting / Conflict to generate story ideas
Week 3 – Why write novels, anyway?
Week 4 – Point-of-view
Week 5 – First Draft strategy
Week 6 – Going deeper with your protagonist
Week 7 – Outlining v. Freestyle and the strengths and weaknesses of each
Week 8 – Discovering (or creating) your writing voice
Week 9 – Thinking through structure and plot (The First Act)
Week 10 – Pace and how to maintain it
Week 11 – Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue
Week 12 – The First Gate (Moving Into Act 2)
Week 13 – What themes and motifs are emerging in your writing?
Week 14 – Figures of speech
Week 15 – Free Indirect Narration
Week 16 – Books we’re reading and what we’re learning from them as writers
Week 17 – How to use feedback (and when to get it)
Week 18 – Antagonists and their role in your story
Week 19 – Mindsets to get you through the messy middle
Week 20 – Subplots – Are they contributing or not?
Week 21 – Hitting the wall and finding fresh inspiration
Week 22 – Sketching out your story arc / timeline
Week 23 – Explore potential endings through freewriting
Week 24 – The Second Gate (Moving into Act 3)
Week 25 – The Climax
Week 26 – The Voices
Week 27 – Peer Review
Week 28 – Tying Themes and Characters into Your Conclusion
Week 29 – How has your protagonist changed?
Week 30 – Taking stock of where you’re at in the process
Week 31 – Finishing Strong
Week 32 – How our creations become art (clue: by sharing them with others)
Week 33 – What to do with your first draft / goals for a second draft
Week 34 – Finding Beta Readers
Week 35 – Thoughts on Self-publishing
Week 36 – Working with editors
Week 37 – Working with agents
Week 38 – Farewell and Next Steps