In this 6-month program you will receive personalized weekly feedback on your writing from an experienced literary agent who knows both great writing and the publishing industry. Most weeks also include live, 2-hour video discussions.
You'll enjoy the accountability of writing and submitting pages every week, get unstuck, and finish your book.
And you'll do it in a fun community that motivates you to write; in a forum for dialogue, where you can have all your writing questions answered.
Plus, learn invaluable writing and publishing skills (critiquing, outlining, writer psychology, editing, and querying) from expert guest lecturers.
At the end of this program you will have the opportunity to pitch your book to a panel of literary agents from various companies for additional feedback and direction.
Let's be real: the traditional publishing industry is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a query letter.
What are the steps to get from book idea to the bookstore shelves?
What are readers and editors looking for? What do I do when I finish my book?
Who do I pitch? How do I query? How do I build my audience?
Answers to all of these questions and more will be revealed as you write your book during this 6-month program.
Why haven't you finished your book yet?
Are you having trouble getting started? Lacking motivation? Procrastinating?
Perhaps you're struggling with your own doubts, fears, or perfectionism?
You are perfectly normal, and we are here to help.
We know you: NOT writing is NOT an option. When you can't write, you lose a part of yourself. You need to express yourself through your words, and want to publish your story and leave a legacy for the world.
This program will do that for you.
In 2011 I wrote my book about backpacking across Africa, but had no idea if it was good or bad, or what to do next. With no community or resources to support me, I stopped writing.
Fate brought me to my writing coach, Sam Hiyate, who turned me into a powerful writer, and I started publishing my work as a freelance writer.
Sam and I created So You Want to Write? because the world needs your story, too. Since 2017 we have helped hundreds of authors improve their work and secure book deals with top publishers.
—Mike Pietrzak, So You Want to Write? co-founder
This program is led by Sam Hiyate, literary agent and president of The Rights Factory, an international literary agency based in Toronto.
In his 30+ year publishing career he has launched the careers of numerous New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling authors.
He teaches creative writing at the University of Toronto and publishing at Ryerson University.
He will be supported by expert guest lecturers (to be announced) who will help you bolster your skills in crucial aspects of your writing journey. Guest lecturers will include:
An expert on outlining your book. A creativity/mindset coach to speak about writer psychology. A professional editor for guidance on polishing your book. An expert on querying literary agents and securing a traditional book deal.
At the end of the course you will have the option to pitch a panel of literary agents for feedback on your book.
Here's a look inside one of our past writer coaching programs...
Soyouwanttowrite.org has been helping writers improve their work and publish books since 2017.
Each month more than 20,000 visitors read our writer tips blog, and we have 4,000 active subscribers.
Hundreds of writers move through our training programs each year, and many go on to publish books.
Become our next success story—apply to our New Year, New Book program now!
This is an application-based program for intermediate to advanced writers (newer writers may wish to check out our writer coaching programs).
Not all who apply will be accepted, and there are seats for only 6 writers.
Here's how to apply:
• Register now with a $500 deposit (refundable if you are not accepted).
• Writers who have NOT taken one of our programs: please send us a 5,000-word sample of your best writing.
• See the fee schedule below for total program costs.
1. Get Motivated: Beat procrastination, get unstuck, and find the accountability to produce new writing each week.
2. Finish Your Book: Get invaluable weekly feedback from a trusted literary agent with 30+ years of experience, plus learn from expert guest lecturers. Find out what's working in your book, and how to fix what's not.
3. Publish Your Book: Improve your chances of getting a book deal with a publisher. Graduate the program with a “next steps” plan tailored for you, and even pitch your book to a PANEL OF LITERARY AGENTS after the program is completed!
Look, you’ve struggled long enough with being stuck, letting life's responsibilities and setbacks get in the way of your writing.
Sure, you could try to write your book on your own, but without this program you might never find out what's not working with your book.
You could keep querying without success, and stay confused about the path to publication.
You could keep attending free critique groups with amateur writers at your local coffee shop.
You could get yet another writing degree or certificate that you don’t need.
...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 unsure about your book's structure to prepared with a clear and detailed outline that tells the story that you truly want to share...
From confused about 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.)
Jan. 7, Session 1 (Zoom) |
|
Jan. 14, Session 2 (Zoom) |
|
Jan. 21, Session 3 (Slack) |
|
Jan. 28 | BREAK WEEK |
Feb. 4, Session 4 (Zoom) |
|
Feb. 11, Session 5 (Zoom) |
|
Feb. 18, Session 6, (Slack) |
|
Feb. 25 | BREAK WEEK |
Mar. 4, Session 7 (Zoom) |
|
Mar. 11, Session 8 (Zoom) |
|
Mar. 18, Session 9 (Slack) |
|
Mar. 25 | BREAK WEEK |
Apr. 1, Session 10 (Zoom) |
|
Apr. 8, Session 11 (Slack) |
|
Apr. 15, Session 12 (Slack) |
|
Apr. 22 | BREAK WEEK |
Apr. 29, Session 13 (Zoom) |
|
May 6, Session 14 (Slack) |
|
May 13, Session 15 (Slack) |
|
May 20 |
|
May 27, Session 16 (Zoom) |
|
June 3, Session 17 (Zoom) |
|
June 10, Session 18 (Slack) |
|
June 17 | BREAK WEEK |
June 24, Session 19 (Zoom) |
|
Fall 2023 (date to be determined): Literary Agent Pitch Pitch Panel, Session 20 (Zoom) |
|
Note: We require a 1,000 word writing sample for writers who have not yet taken a program with Sam.
Not sure if this program is a fit for you?
Our consultants (who are also writers) will meet with you to discuss your project, goals, and suitability for the program.
Or email us with your questions. We try to accomodate all special requests.
“I had a wonderful experience participating in the six month-program New Year: New Book, with the invaluable feedback from Sam Hiyate and other writers in the program and the special sessions with other experts in book writing and publishing, as well as the opportunity to get in front of agents with our query letter and book synopsis. Also, the strong impetus of the weekly writing accountability structures meant I got far more writing done than if I was on my own.
Sam’s decades-long experience in the publishing business and as an agent gives him invaluable insights into what works and sells in today’s markets. He’s always full of well-thought-out suggestions for improving your manuscript and helpful resources. He’s both encouraging and challenging— an ideal combination for a book coach. Working with Sam always helps me bring my non-fiction writing up a notch, and this six-month program was instrumental in that way.”
- Katie Curtin, Multidisciplinary Artist, Creative Mentor and Coach. katiecurtin.com
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 the remaining 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.