Novel in Nine 2023

Transform your story idea into a finished book.

Learn your craft, grow as a writer, and get your novel or memoir on the page in 2023.

When you join NOVEL in NINE, you will find community, structure, and accountability to help you write the book you have always wanted to write. In this comprehensive nine-month program, you will learn directly from a New York Times bestselling novelist and veteran writing teacher.

Course dates: February 5, 2023 to October 31, 2023.

In Novel in Nine, you will write a complete draft of your novel or memoir in eight months and devote the ninth month to revision. Instead of a burst of activity followed by months of stalemate, you will take the slow and steady approach, writing about 2,000-2,500 words per week. At the end of nine months, you will have a solid novel of 70,000 to 80,000 words. (If you prefer to write a novella or a shorter memoir, you can adjust your weekly word count goal accordingly).

You will get guidance, inspiration, community, and accountability, as well as dozens of practical video and written lessons and one-on-one interaction with the instructor.

WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU JOIN NOVEL IN NINE

Weekly Lessons and Assignments: Each week, you will receive a written and video lesson, plus an assignment to help you write a specific scene or chapter or complete a specific task. You will write about 2,500 words per week, which you can break up in any way you wish--whether you want to write 360 words every day or have one marathon writing session per week. All assignments and lectures will remain online, so if you miss a week or two, you can go back and catch up.

Videos: Videos throughout the course will offer encouragement and practical advice.

Monthly live group coaching session: We will meet by Zoom live once per month so you can talk about your project, ask questions, and see your peers face to face.

Accountability check-ins: I'll be checking in with you at the end of each month to see how many words you've written. Why? When it comes to writing your novel, accountability is key!

Monthly live write-a-thons: Log in with your coffee or tea to write with us once a month. I'll give you a writing prompt, and we'll write together for half an hour.

Active discussion forums: Throughout the course, you will have access to active discussion forums where you can interact with your classmates and the instructor.

Personal interaction with an internationally bestselling author and veteran writing teacher: This course is taught by a working writer with extensive teaching and publishing experience. Scroll down to see the instructor bio.

Optional share spaces: Although this is not a workshop course, you can share your writing with your peers whenever you like in the optional share space.

Great flexibility: You choose when to watch the video lessons, read the lectures, and interact in the discussion forums. The monthly live sessions will be recorded, so you can play them back later at your convenience. You are also welcome to submit questions before the session if you won't be able to attend.

Community and a small cohort of dedicated writers: Novel in Nine has students from all over the world. We've had a neonatal surgeon, a television writer, a sculptor, a Broadway performer, a retired FBI agent, a TV producer, a popular blogger, a trucking company operator, graduate students, small business owners, a librarian, an attorney, stay-at-home parents, a therapist, a professional athlete, and more. We have participants from all over the world. One of the best aspects of the course is writing and learning alongside people from different backgrounds. When you join Novel in Nine, you join a passionate community of writers at all stages of life and carer.

Instructor Feedback Optional: This is not a workshop course and you will not be submitting your completed assignments to the instructor for critique. The purpose of this course is to keep you motivated to get your novel on the page. However, you may choose the PLUS* option at checkout to get feedback from the instructor on up to 20 manuscript manuscript pages per month. *Please note that Novel in Nine Plus is full for 2023.

Nine Months of Weekly Progress

Month nine will be dedicated to revision. You will approach what you've written with an objective eye, revising for plot, character development, point of view consistency, and more.

Basic option: If you want to get all of the Novel in Nine lessons and assignments but do not wish to participate in live meetings, discussions, and write-a-thons, choose Novel in Nine Basic.

Writing a Memoir in Novel in 9

The fundamental elements of narrative craft that fiction writers must master also hold true for memoir. You will learn about characterization, structure, and setting and description. We'll also talk about how to select details from your life, how to handle dialogue, and the memoirist's contract with the reader, among other things specific to the genre.

"Novel in Nine was much more than a “class” for me, it was a transformation. I had tried for years and years to write a novel, always unsuccessfully. Under Michelle's guidance, I was able to complete my first novel, in a seamless, uncomplicated, and manageable workflow. Her experienced directives help me move through my writing to that final goal. I am forever grateful for this class, and for Michelle’s help. I’d do it again." Polly K.

Scroll down for more student testimonials.