High qualifications are essential to success in Shape, Write, and Sell Your Novel because your assignments are intensive and demanding. Your instructor will give you great support and guidance, read every page you submit, and give you in-depth letters of critique on each assignment.
To enroll, writers must submit a 800-1,000-word writing sample along with their completed application. Our trained instructors will review your sample for the writing skills needed for success in this course and IFW will confirm your enrollment within three business days.
Enrollment is also open to graduates of our other courses who have been recommended by our instructors. If you are a graduate and are interested in this advanced program, please contact learn@instituteforwriters.com to find out if you have been pre-approved for admission into the program. If so, you will not need to submit a writing sample.
By the time you finish your final assignment you will complete a synopsis of your novel, at least three well-crafted chapters, a plot summary outline, and a query letter written to the editor or agent of your choice. You will:
- Learn the process of plotting, developing a working outline of your book, and creating realistic, three- dimensional characters that involve the reader;
- Gain an understanding of subplots, the role of conflict, and the nature of a dramatic arc, and you’ll be able to apply this to any novel you write.
- Achieve a clear working knowledge of the book publishing industry, which will be invaluable in marketing your future novels to the right publisher.
Shape, Write and Sell Your Novel includes eight assignments to be submitted via email to your personal instructor for editing and critiquing, as well as additional home assignments that train you in effective plotting, creating three-dimensional characters, the role of conflict and the dramatic arc. You will achieve a clear working knowledge of the book publishing industry. Your assignments will be graded using IFW’s pass/fail grading and returned via email from your instructor.
If you want to complete our course in six months, it’ll just take about 10-11 hours per week. Shape, Write and Sell Your Novel is estimated to require approximately 223 hours of study, but you’re able to work at your own pace and have up to two years for completion.
Although we cannot promise you publishing success, we know of no other course as well suited to the challenging task of transforming a promising writer into a successful writer, marketer, and author.
CONTINUING YOUR INSTRUCTION
Although you are required to complete only the first three chapters of your novel, you may continue to work with an instructor (for an additional fee) on the remainder of your book. You’ll receive information on this option as you near the end of your course. Or you may decide to continue to work on your novel on your own. It’s entirely up to you.
HOW WE SELECT AND TRAIN INSTRUCTORS
When we select instructors for Shape, Write and Sell Your Novel, we evaluate their background, education, work experience, publishing credits, professional accomplishments, and related experience that will benefit our student novelists. Those selected undergo a program of closely monitored training, to ensure that they teach to our standards for Shape, Write, and Sell Your Novel. We have promises to keep, and we can keep them only with qualified instructors–as well as qualified students.
TUITION
The tuition for the complete course of instruction, if paid in full at the time of enrollment, is $895 plus $19 shipping (US only; other countries will vary). With our monthly payment plan, $85 is due upon enrollment, with $85 payable per month for 10 months, for a total of $935 plus shipping. Tuition is all-inclusive: texts and sales taxes, where applicable, are all included.
TAX DEDUCTIBILITY
The Internal Revenue Code permits the deduction as a business expense of tuition for education if it is designed to improve one’s skills in the conduct of a trade or business. Professional writers, teachers, and others whose business skills are enhanced by the writing techniques developed in our course may qualify for a tax deduction. Consult your tax advisor to determine if you qualify.