By Allison Okay Williams

Yesterday, I noticed a writing program that seemed superb. A trainer/coach who can be a multiply-published writer, and their also-published editorial colleagues mentor writers for a yr, with targets, deadlines and suggestions geared toward producing a publishable e-book prepared for a conventional deal. I run an identical course myself, 8 weeks of centered, hardcore revision to get that e-book out the door.

Their program was primarily for novelists; I work about 50-50 with novelists and memoirists on two tracks. Each our choices are for writers who want high-level craft and private suggestions, however don’t have the time/cash/need to pursue an MFA. We each concentrate on editorial, somewhat than peer suggestions. Usually, peer suggestions could be well-meaning however unhelpful for precise progress, and for writers with restricted time, it’s higher to concentrate on their very own books somewhat than studying for others.

Our key distinction?

I put the value on the web site.

For the opposite program, writers should apply and e-book a name with the trainer earlier than seeing the associated fee.

As a salesman, I can admire this. I came upon from that program’s alumni, and writers who booked calls, that it’s a low-five-figures value. If what it’s important to provide is dear in its class then it’s price getting your buyer behind the wheel to understand the Corinthian leather-based heated seats, the sleek cornering and the all-wheel drive earlier than laying out the paperwork.

Oh sorry, I forgot what enterprise I used to be in. As a result of that’s who else doesn’t give the value up entrance: automotive salesmen.

Right here’s the factor: for a program that features a cohort, twice-weekly courses, high-touch mentorship, guided querying and entry to the recorded courses, with a concentrate on writing a commercially profitable e-book in a restricted period of time, that value isn’t outrageous. It’s far cheaper than an MFA, and college writing levels hardly ever concentrate on writing novels with market attraction. Good developmental editors cost $2500+ for one spherical of suggestions. My very own 8-week course is simply shy of $4000. As proof of idea, I’ve had graduates publish with literary, college and Huge 5 presses, together with NYT Bestsellers. The opposite program’s web site included books the editors had labored on; their alumni publishing offers I heard about had been with a press co-owned by the editor who runs this system, which might be sketchy and is certainly a battle of curiosity. However I’ve been enhancing for over ten years, and it takes time for offers to occur; I don’t know the way lengthy their program has been operating.

I do know this no-pricetags technique: get individuals engaged and excited earlier than scaring them away with value, but it surely’s a waste of time for trainer and potential college students alike. And I’m not advocating for creatives to undersell themselves. My occasions all get spreadsheets: What number of hours will I work? Which co-teachers to rent at what price? Venues, meals, present baggage, flights, Zoom subscriptions, assistants, web site design, all get factored in. Not every part is supposed to be reasonably priced to everybody, and I’m snug with the combination I provide of free publishing chats and co-writing classes, low-cost ($15-35) webinars, mid-tier ($200-600) digital intensives and higher-ticket ($3500+) retreats and multi-week programs.

However are we attracting individuals who have the money, however haven’t spent an entire lot of time on their writing? Pay-to-play, I’ve heard sneered.

Effectively, duh.

Not everybody shoots by the undergrad-to-MFA pipeline. Not everybody has time for writing whereas they increase children and construct a life and spend years pondering of the story they need to write, or residing the story they need to inform. Not everybody can step away from their job/life/household or transfer throughout the nation to attend an MFA program. And if you would like constant, skilled steering to put in writing and promote your e-book in right this moment’s publishing market, and a program or course suits your price range, that’s cash effectively spent, not least as a result of your personal dedication of paid-for time is more likely to be higher spent than working alone with out help, with out deadlines, with out a cohort.

After I sat down to put in writing this weblog, I assumed I used to be headed for a stern lecture on the dilution of the literary world, something-something accessibility something-something expertise. However as I’m writing, I’m realizing: extremely aggressive, full-time MFAs are about as inaccessible because it will get for anybody who isn’t younger, unencumbered, and eligible for scholar loans. I’ve at all times recognized that expertise is barely what makes training nice; writing can be a talent, and far of that talent could be realized by anybody who places within the time. They’ll be taught it sooner and extra simply from a paid skilled. They’ll be taught it extra cheaply however extra slowly from books and webinars and writing teams. Each paths are legitimate. Neither is extra virtuous.

Writers, determine what sort of help you want. See if working alone or with writing buddies helps you end a e-book. Store round. Get references from alumni. Take a $25 webinar before you purchase a $4,000 or $11,000 or $25,000 program. And no matter help you employ, profit from your money and time, and write the e-book you need to write.

And academics? Simply put a rattling price ticket on it.

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Allison Okay Williams is the Managing Editor of The Brevity Weblog. Wanna know when her Feb 2026 course opens for purposes? Fill this out. Need one thing free? Do that as a substitute. Or this.

Tagged: e-book incubator, hiring an editor, pay to play, writing packages