In this 12-week writer coaching program you will work closely with Author, Editor, and former Literary Agent Alisha Sevigny (and fellow writers) to improve your craft and create the best version of your fiction book.
Plus, you'll learn how to pursue a publishing deal from a 6-time published author!
Do you have a fiction idea that’s been percolating in your head, but no idea what to do with it? How to build it up? How to know if it even has legs—let alone mould it into a cohesive plot with compelling characters?
Or, do you have a completed manuscript, but know that it needs some help?
At the end of this 12-week program, you’ll raise your writing and your novel to the next level.
From our experience helping hundreds of writers with their novels (and being writers ourselves), we know that writers improve fastest when they share their writing, get feedback, then incorporate that information into their work.
The best kind of feedback is from an expert in the field, someone who has written and published several books, edited numerous others, and helped publish many authors as a literary agent—someone like Alisha Sevigny, who will lead this coaching program.
Because this program is limited to 6 writers, everyone will have a chance to share their work each week and receive critical feedback to revise and improve their manuscript, both from Alisha, and their peers.
At the end of the 12-week program, you will have part or all of a book written, and you will be well-positioned to publish, either traditionally or by self-publishing.
There is no better motivation for writers than getting instant feedback on their work. In this program, you will share your work (up to 5,000 words each week) and receive helpful feedback and guidance from Author Alisha Sevigny and other writers in the program.
Consider this a kind of “Writer Boot Camp” that will build you into a better writer, help you finish your book faster, and create the best, most polished product at the end of the 12 weeks.
Alisha Sevigny is a former literary agent, current freelance editor and published author of several acclaimed Young Adult (YA) novels, SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS, KISSING FROGS, and the SECRETS OF THE SANDS trilogy, set in Ancient Egypt.
THE LOST SCROLL OF THE PHYSICIAN from her SECRETS OF THE SANDS series has been nominated for 3 awards in Canada: Red Cedar Book Award, MYRCA Sundogs Award and Hackmatack Awards.
SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS was a finalist in the YA category for the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award out of all of North America.
As a former literary agent with The Rights Factory, Alisha has had the pleasure of representing many talented domestic and international clients, including a holistic beauty guru and a renowned environmental activist, as well as several debut fiction authors:
Exceedingly familiar with the publishing industry, both as a former agent and hybrid writer, Alisha specializes in pitches and developmental edits.
Her editorial client, P.H. Oliver, (THE GYNESAURS) was the only self-published author to be long-listed for 2018's Stephen Leacock Medal of Humour Award, representing the top 10 funniest books in the country.
Other freelance clients include award-winning musician, Linda Brooks, and her non-fiction collection of essays, songs and photographs, ORCHESTRA IN MY GARDEN.
Alisha is continuously giving workshops on the writing and publishing process and enjoys working with authors of all genres and backgrounds.
Register NowWe have designed a program that’s meant to support writers who are at many stages in the writing process, but this is not for everyone. The format and approach will likely not suit the following writers:
Picture holding the first printed copy of your book in your hands. Picture seeing it on store shelves around the world. Picture pulling it up on Amazon and seeing thousands of five-star reviews.
This 12-week intensive mentorship will help you get there.
This program is led by Alisha Sevigny, a 6-time published author, professional editor, and former literary agent (with 10 years of experience). She knows great writing and what publishers—and readers—are looking for.
Look, you've spent enough time trying to get the story inside of your mind out onto the page.
You've read countless blogs on three-act structures and creating relatable characters.
You've tried your best to stay motivated long enough to finish a first draft.
You've learned how to plaster a smile on your face and spew vague answers when your friends ask about the progress of your book.
You could stay in this place, confused about the path to publication, unsure of your talent.
You could continue trading pages with amateur writing friends you met online, scrolling through blogs, wasting time on Twitter.
You could enrol in yet another writing course with no new information.
...But we'd rather help you leave a legacy for the world in the pages of your book!
In this program you will go from overwhelmed by the publishing process to clear on the exact steps needed to get to bookstore shelves...
From writing inconsistently to producing 10 or 20 quality pages per week...
From unsure if your writing is any good to confident that readers, agents, and publishers will compete to get your book...
From writing alone in a vacuum, to writing in a supportive, enlightening, motivating, and fun community with talented peers and curated resources, under the guidance of an experienced industry insider and a team of experts.
Register Now
(Dates subject to change.)
January 31: Introductory video chat and first sharing and feedback session |
February 7: Video session |
February 14: Slack session |
February 21: Video session |
February 28: Writing catch-up week |
March 7: Slack session |
March 14: Video session |
March 21: Slack session |
March 28: Video session |
April 4: Writing catch-up week |
April 11: Slack session |
April 18: Video session |
April 25: Slack session |
May 2: Video session |
In this program you will receive weekly feedback that will help you improve your writing, find accountability and motivation, and join a fun, supportive community so that you can produce your best short story and get published faster—all under the guidance of an established literary agent.
The cost for 12 sessions and ongoing engagement via Slack is USD$1,495 USD $1,795.
Want even more intensive mentorship? Add as many 1-on-1 mentorship sessions with Alisha as you like.
Need advice about writing or publishing your book?
with one of our Writer Consultants (who are also writers), to discuss your writing project, ask all of your burning questions, and, receive expert advice about the path forward.
Or email us with your questions. We try to accommodate all special requests.
Type: Group Coaching
Category: Author, Editor, Fiction, Literary Agent, Young Adult & Kidlit
"Working with Alisha was wonderful — from pitching to her via email to meeting in person to discuss her evaluation. Alisha made it easy to work together as she is always pleasant and genuinely cares about helping writers. I appreciate that she offered lots of encouragement and specific recommendations to help make my book the best it can be."
— Marisa B., Toronto
"I really benefited from the clear comments on my manuscript which Alisha provided me. They were concise, very helpful and improved my knowledge of the writing trade. Her comments certainly improved the quality of my non-fiction novel.”
— James B., Orillia
"Alisha was a great help in reviewing and in helping to refine my pitch for my novel before sending it off to a literary agent." — Rhesa S., Toronto
"Alisha combed through my 140,000 word manuscript offering many different strategies that I could employ to bring it down to the recommended maximum word count (under 100,000) for the genre in which it would be classified. Readers have since told me that they were most impressed with the tightness and pace of the book, feeling that every line was worth reading. There is no doubt in my mind that this high praise was due to Alisha's keen instinct for what a reader wants and needs in order to keep turning the page. Indeed, this, I would say, is the hallmark of Alisha's own writing. She pointed out plot and character inconsistencies that I had missed, even after much scrutiny and gently curtailed my penchant for overly verbose descriptions. She provides a thorough and discerning voice that will allow you to reconsider and/or validate your work from a fresh and knowledgeable perspective, always keeping the writer's delicate ego in mind. A pleasure to work with from beginning to end."
— P.H. Oliver
While we go to great lengths to ensure that each writer succeeds in our programs, we recognize that sometimes "life happens". To accommodate unforeseen challenges, we will allow you to withdraw at any time without charging outstanding fees, no questions asked.
This policy ensures 0% risk and 100% flexibility for you.
Refunds on fees paid will be decided on a case-by-case basis by So You Want to Write?, but we aim to be reasonable about refunds.
Register NowCan't find what you're looking for? Have a special request?
Send us a note about your writing project and we'll respond within 2 business days.
Nothing is off limits. Cast your head-scratcher into our inbox and we'll put our brightest minds to a response.