10-Month Manuscript Program
at Pioneer Valley Writers' Workshop

Application for All 2025
Manuscript Program Workshops

Application Deadline: December 20, 2024

About the 10-Month Manuscript Program

The 10-Month Manuscript Program at PVWW is for writers in any genre who are serious and committed to completing (or revising) a book-length manuscript over the course of ten months. The program is completely virtual, intensive and comprehensive, and was designed in the spirit of building a community of writers committed to supporting each other through the rigorous and sometimes lonely process of drafting (or revising) a full manuscript. Each workshop within the program is limited to ten writers, meets (virtually) once a month for three hours, and also involves communication and interaction with classmates between meetings via an easy-to-access online classroom space (Google Classrooms). At their core, PVWW's Manuscript Program workshops are centered around giving and receiving feedback, craft instruction, building a supportive community, and the push toward completing a full-length manuscript. Over the course of ten months, writers in the program will be guided to set active, clear goals that will help them both get to the finish line and better understand craft elements related to their genre. The program is open to writers at all stages of the process, in any genre, and while it offers some flexibility in terms of workload, it does require a rigorous commitment to the work, a clear project in mind, as well as a commitment to the other writers in the cohort and the various aspects of the program. If you have not already, we highly recommend you review the 10-Month Manuscript Program page before applying.

Application for the 2025
10-Month Manuscript Program
For All Workshop Sections

Before you begin: Please be aware that this application form does not autosave and should be completed in one sitting. We estimate this may take 15 - 30 minutes. We strongly recommend typing and saving your answers to the short answer questions in a separate document, then copying/pasting them into the application. We also strongly recommend that you read through everything on the 10-Month Manuscript Program first and understand fully what this program entails before submitting your application.

All applications must be received on or before December 20, 2024 to be considered for the 2025 program year.

Please fill out the form below.

How did you learn about PVWW's Manuscript Program and/or Pioneer Valley Writers' Workshop?

Since all workshops in the Manuscript Program meet virtually, writers can participate from anywhere in the world. Where would would you be joining us from? (City, State, Country)

The Workshop Groups

If applicable to your manuscript and/or writing goals, please let us know your SECOND CHOICE if you do not get into your first choice workshop group:

Please make clear any special preferences you have regarding which section of the program you would be happy to be placed in, if accepted. If you are applying for either the Novel First Draft or Memoir, please let us know if you have an instructor preference, or if you'd be happy working with either of the instructors teaching each of these. Similarly, let us know if you have no preference outside of the genre you're working in. Please note: While we make every effort to accommodate preferences, having a second choice - or being willing to work with either instructor for Novel First Draft or Memoir - will increase chances of acceptance into the program.

FOR NOVEL REVISION APPLICANTS ONLY: If you are applying for the Novel Revision section of the program, a complete manuscript is required at the start of the program (March). Writers in the Novel Revision Workshop (which is limited to 8 writers) are expected to read a full manuscript from their classmates each month, in addition to work on their own manuscripts and other classwork (see course description for more details). Do you feel you are able to actively participate and keep up in a workshop that requires this level of reading and feedback?

Yes, I am looking for a serious workshop where this level of feedback and manuscript exchange happens.

I will try my best. I am hoping I can balance it, but I won't know until I try.

I am not sure I'll be able to balance this level of reading and feedback.

Commitment and Engagement

What are you looking for in a workshop? Why do you think you'd be a good fit for PVWW's program in particular? What aspects of the program most appeal to you?

How familiar are you with all platforms used in this program (Zoom, Google Classrooms, Gmail)

I am already familiar with all platforms used in this program (Zoom, Google Classrooms, Gmail)

I am either comfortable or very willing and able to learn those platforms. I recognize that this may require some practice and investigation on my part to gain comfort, and I'm willing to get help on my own if needed.

I am not comfortable with these platforms and am not sure I will be able to get outside help. I would need extra guidance and support.

Outside of monthly workshops, each instructor curates a virtual Google Classroom space for writers to stay involved with each other and the course material in between meetings. The virtual classroom includes readings, craft lectures, writing prompts, discussion questions, and other resources all centered around the monthly craft topic. How engaged with this aspect of the course do you foresee yourself being?

Very engaged! I am looking forward to all of the materials and resources and am excited to actively participate throughout the month with the course materials and group.

Engaged. I hope to be an active participant in the Google Classroom, yet this may depend on my schedule and other commitments.

Somewhat engaged. I'm glad the resources are there, though I'm mostly looking forward to referencing them later, when I have more time.

Not that engaged. I am applying to the program because of the monthly workshop element and cannot foresee being actively engaged with a virtual classroom space.

In addition to regular work on your own manuscript, involvement in the Manuscript Program requires writers to read and offer thoughtful feedback on sections of their classmates' manuscripts on a monthly basis. How do you feel about this aspect of the program?

Excited! I learn best in environments where I am both giving and receiving feedback. I am excited to read the work of my classmates and see this as part of the learning process.

It makes sense and I'm fine with it.

I'm fine with it, though I do worry about having enough time for my own manuscript.

I am not a huge fan of giving frequent feedback.

In addition to monthly workshops, the program puts writers into smaller groups to check-in with each other throughout the month (Accountability Buddies). These small monthly groups/pairings are an opportunity to get to know the writers in your workshop and their projects more thoroughly, and to give and receive more feedback than happens in your monthly workshop; however, to run smoothly, the Accountability Buddy system needs all writers to be willing and invested in finding time to connect with their Buddy each month. Are you willing, able, and excited to interact and "show up" in your monthly Accountability Buddy pairings with workshop classmates?

Yes! I'm very excited for this aspect of the program and will be sure to "show up" in my Accountability Buddy pairings/groups.

I am less excited about this aspect of the program, although I will try my best.

I cannot guarantee that I'll be able to show up or connect with my assigned Accountability Buddy.

Outside of an unforeseen emergency that would require you to withdraw, how serious would you be about attending all class meetings (once a month), engaging with the asynchronous elements of the program, and sticking with the group (and maintaining involvement and investment) over the course of ten months?

I am completely committed and foresee nothing that would interfere with my commitment to my manuscript and the group.

I am committed, but there are a few possible conflicts that could make the commitment difficult.

I will try my best, but I really have no way of knowing.

If you have possible conflicts, please elaborate here.

This program seeks writers who have an equal investment in giving quality feedback to their classmates - and showing up for them - as they do in their own manuscript work. This includes reading classmates' manuscripts on time, giving thoughtful feedback, posting work by the deadlines set by instructors, attending class, etc. Does this fit you? Describe how you are when part of a workshop group.

While instructors ultimately tailor craft lessons and discussion level to their individual groups, the program on the whole will be more beneficial to a writer open to and seeking some level of craft instruction, learning, new knowledge, and new perspectives on craft. Does this describe you?

Yes, I am always seeking new perspectives on craft and am always open to learning.

Possibly, though given my experience, I am only interested in more advanced instruction.

I'm less interested in craft lessons and more interested in receiving feedback and engaging with the other aspects of the program.

Past Experience

What's your experience with writing workshops?

MFA or equivalent degree

Lots of workshop experience at application-based programs like Bread Loaf, Tin House, and others, but no MFA or long-term study

Casual workshop experience at smaller, local, and/or non-application-based organizations, such as Grub Street

At least one prior workshop

Very casual workshop experience with friends and writing groups

No prior workshop experience

Please elaborate on any relevant past experience with workshops, summer conferences, programs, or publications.

Your Manuscript

Tell us about the manuscript you plan on working on over the course of the year! How long have you been working on it? Where are you in the process? What does a normal writing day or week look like?

What are your big-picture goals for your manuscript?

What would your goal(s) be during the ten months of this program?

FOR THOSE WITH A SECOND CHOICE IN A DIFFERENT GENRE: Describe the project you would be working on if placed in your second-choice workshop? Where are you in the process, and what are your goals for this project?

Please note: This program in no way promises that writers will leave the program with a query-ready manuscript. While this has on occasion happened, the most common scenario is that while writers for the most part make significant headway on their manuscript drafts, more drafts (and significant revision) are usually needed before a manuscript is ready to send out to agents; however, this also fully depends upon where you are in the drafting / revision process when you enter the program and how much work you put in over the ten months. The time you are willing to put into your manuscript and the program are the most likely predictors of what you will get out of the program.

Work Sample

GUIDELINES

Please upload (or copy / paste below) a work sample from the project you propose to work on during your months in the program, or from a piece in a similar genre. Please note: If you are just beginning your project and/or you do not have a readable excerpt yet, it is fine to include a different work sample, as long as it is in a similar genre; however, given that the program does involve workshopping and feedback, we strongly encourage you to share a work sample from the manuscript you would be working on in the program, even if it is an early draft.

Please follow the formatting criteria below:

For prose writers: Writing samples should be no longer than 1000 words, or 5 double-spaced pages.
For poets and hybrid writers: Writing samples should be anywhere from 5 - 10 pages in length.
Please make sure your submission follows standard formatting (Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double-spaced, page numbers, etc.)
All files must be PDF or .doc/.docx. We will not be able to open any files other than these!
Include your name, email address, genre of the work, and which workshop you are applying for on the top of your work sample.
Applications without work samples will not be considered for admission.
For writers with a second choice option: If your second choice workshop is in a different genre, and the project you would be working on would be significantly different from your first choice, please include a short excerpt (up to 5 pages) from this other (second choice) project in the same document as your first work sample, with clear labeling.

Upload your work sample here:

Upload File

Or copy/paste your work sample here, with requested info at the top.

Please give a short description of the work sample above, especially if it is an excerpt from a longer work. Please make clear if this is from the manuscript you are planning to work on if accepted into the program.

Payment & Policies

The cost of the 10-Month Manuscript Program is $2,500 ($3,400 for the Novel Revision Workshop). Pioneer Valley Writers' Workshop does not have the ability to offer financial aid or scholarships for participation in the program. We do, however, have the ability to accommodate payment plans for those who could otherwise not attend, although this requires additional setup, which will happen upon acceptance into the program. If accepted into the program, are you able to pay the full tuition by the end of February, 2025, when it is due?

Yes, if accepted I am able to pay the full tuition by that date.

Yes, although I am only able to pay the full amount with a payment plan.*

I am not able to pay the full tuition. I am interested only if I can receive partial financial aid, and I understand that this most likely will not be possible.**

* We are able to offer four-part payment plans on half of the program's tuition, through PayPal's Pay Later and Afterpay. A soft credit check may be needed for this, but would not affect your credit score. All those with payment plans would still need to pay the $500 initial deposit to hold a spot in the program. Interest rates for Pay Later and Afterpay range from 4.99% - 9.99%. If you select this option and are accepted into the program, we will be in touch with next steps then.

** Please note that if you can only attend the program with financial aid, you will be offered a spot only if we have available aid for the workshop to which you are applying. We do not regularly have financial aid available for this program, although occasionally exceptions can be made if there is space.

** If you are only able to attend with financial aid, please tell us a little bit about your situation, why a payment plan would not work, as well as what percentage of the tuition you would be able to pay.

Refund Policy: Except in the case of serious unforeseen medical emergencies within the first month of the program, we are unable to refund participants who need to withdraw from the program midway through the year, or at any point after deposits have been made. This policy is strictly upheld. Each section of the program is small, admission is selective, and frequent withdrawals undermine the integrity and sustainability of this program, as well as our ability to pay and retain our instructors. For this reason, we must make sure that all applicants understand and accept this policy.*

I understand that if accepted into the program, my tuition payment is nonrefundable.

Thank you for your interest in PVWW's 10-Month Manuscript Program! We look forward to reviewing your application. All applicants will be notified of their status by the end of January. Workshops begin in March.

Thank you for applying!

Pioneer Valley Writers' Workshop

Our 10-Month Manuscript Program is OPEN for applications! Learn More

10-Month Manuscript Program ​at Pioneer Valley Writers' Workshop

Application for All 2025 Manuscript Program Workshops