Advanced Novel Revision

Congratulations! You’ve finished a draft of your novel—or you’re sooo close. That’s a really big deal.

Now what? It’s time to revise! Revising sounds scary, so let’s put the fun in it together.

In this 6-week class, we’ll learn about theories of revision; discuss how to revise for plot, character, point of view, language, and setting; make tailored, personal plans for revising our work; and talk about how to tackle feedback from critique partners, beta readers, agents, and editors. We’ll also create a supportive environment where novelists can learn from each other and cheer each other on.

Participants should have a full draft of a novel written (or most of a draft). All genres and audiences (adult, YA, middle-grade) are welcome. Writers who thought they were done with their manuscripts but have decided they need to revise again are welcome, too. The class is limited to 10 participants selected through an application process.

You’ll leave this class with

- A deeper understanding of practical revision tactics, including how to evaluate what's working, not just what's not working.

- A detailed, concrete revision plan based on your own working style and the state of your draft.

- Knowledge of how revision works in the "real world," when feedback is coming from agents, editors, and other gatekeepers.

Students will have some light reading assignments and optional work they can do on their work-in-progress between classes. At the end of the course, they will submit a revision plan that the instructor will provide written feedback on and discuss with the writer one-on-one.
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Course Skeleton

Week 1: Approaches to revision. What kind of writer/reviser are you? What are the ways authors approach revision?

Week 2: Plot and structure. Is your plot there? Or if your novel is less plotted, does the structure guide readers through? We'll talk about techniques for mapping and improving plot and structure.

Week 3: Character, theme, and language. We'll talk about techniques for deepening character, and how to know when a character needs to go, be sidelined, or come to the fore. We'll also talk about how to make sure your language conveys theme, character, and plot.

Week 4: Place, setting, and world-building. What are the ingredients that make where a novel takes place immersive, memorable, and necessary? We’ll talk about how to evaluate and strengthen your novel’s setting and build a believable world.

Week 5: Making a plan. We'll walk through how to make a plan to revise the manuscripts we're working on—once, twice, or as many times as necessary.

Week 6: One-on-one meetings with the course instructor.

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Class Details

Details: Advanced Novel Revision takes place Sundays April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, and May 31 from noon to 2 p.m. Eastern remotely online via Zoom. The course instructor will schedule a 30-minute one-on-one with each student the week of June 7.

Prerequisite: Experience in fiction or novel-writing classes is preferred. Participants should have a complete (or near-complete) draft of a novel.

Genre: Fiction

Level: Advanced Format: Lecture and discussion

Location: This class takes place remotely online via Zoom.

Size: 10 participants selected through an application process.

Scholarships: One scholarship spot is available.

Cancellations and Refunds: Cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the first class to receive a full refund. Email info@litcleveland.org.

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How to Apply

To apply for Advanced Novel Revision, please submit a synopsis of your novel along with a 5-page sample (double-spaced, 12-point font).

Click the register now button to apply or follow this link to the application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfC2rHeW4Q0v8cAXRG9438_sQvNeFuYMb5PmIUPt2oF_ZcAiA/viewform

Deadline for submissions is March 23. Writers selected for the class will be notified by April 7and will need to complete registration by April 14. Interest-free payment options available. A limited number of scholarships are available.