The Manuscript Studio: From Draft to Market in 6 Months

You will find guidance, community, and feedback in PocketMFA’s Manuscript Studio, a six-month program designed to both generate words (78,000+ / 48-96 pages of poetry) and the strategy and know-how for getting the best version of your book into the market.

A complete novel, memoir, or poetry collection. A polished submission package. A roadmap to publication.

Draft or revise 78,000+ words of your novel or memoir, guided by clear monthly targets and craft-focused assignments.
Or, draft or revise your poetry manuscript with a full read and feedback session every month, built on a plan that works for where the manuscript is right now.
Work 1-on-1 with a mentor: Each month includes a Zoom session and developmental feedback on 8000 words or the full poetry manuscript.
Over 40 mentor and agent office hours available to every studio writer across the six months.
Craft your submission package: Cover letter, Query letter/proposal, synopsis, author bio, comps, logline, and sample pages + a stategic plan of attack for publication
Collaborate in a private cohort of other incredibly serious writers with writing sprints, peer check-ins, and an active community available when you need it

Next Steps:

Complete the quiz, or scroll down for more info on our mentors

What do writers say about our curriculum?

Hundreds of writers have seen their work published, their strengths accelerate, and their community grow in our research-based program.

“Participating in this six-month Novel Studio was a productive and beneficial experience, where the combination of weekly craft or mentor calls and personalized monthly mentor feedback provided the perfect balance of technical growth and creative direction. The positive community of fellow writers offered a support system that helped make the solitary act of drafting into a shared journey of inspiration and accountability.”

Tara — Fall ’25

“The standout part of Novel Studio for me was working with editor Lauren T. Davila. Our feedback sessions gave me the kind of grounded, craft-specific direction that actually moves a draft forward. Afterwards, I had better clarity, a tangible strategy, and momentum; her genuine enthusiasm for my work encouraged me to keep going and trust what I’m building.”

NJ — Fall ’25

“The Pocket MFA program has supported me in my growth as a writer more deeply than any other program I’ve been involved with. I have obtained a conventional MFA and taken many classes online, but this has been by far the most practical and useful. I recommend it highly to serious writer.

Max — Fall ’25

Is the Manuscript Studio right for you and your book?

A note from our Director:

Whether you’re starting a brand-new manuscript or are deep in revision, this immersive program combines 1-1 time with an expert mentor, professional publishing insight, and a highly structured writing environment to help you finish—and launch—your book on its publication journey.

Scott O’Connor and Lauren T. Davila will serve as mentors for our novelists, Jessica Handler for our memoirists, and Grant Chemidlin for our poets.

For our prose folk, the Mentor Seminars cover everything from pacing, comp titles, and fast drafting techniques to platform-building and submission strategy. Writers will also have exclusive access to our Agents in Residence to network and ask any and all questions they can.

For our poets, the Mentor Seminars will be deep dives into craft, collection structure, and audience building. In the final months of the program, all poets will also participate in the Editorial Conference, where their full manuscript will get fresh eyes and feedback from a working editor at a top publisher.

We expect writers to commit at least 10-20 hours per week to the program: reading, writing, and attending seminars and meetings. We will set up a writing contract within the first two weeks of the program to establish goals and an individualized syllabus.

The Fall Studio begins Oct 1st and spots are limited.

Tuition for the novel and memoir program is $5,997 or as low as $499/mo, while tuition for the poetry program is $3,997 or as low as $333/mo. Partial scholarships, payment plans, and alumni discounts are available. Enrollment will be capped at 8 writers and preference will be given to alumni of PocketMFA.

If you’re interested, fill out the writer quiz above to set up a no-commitment exploratory call with our program staff so we can learn more about you and your manuscript.

—Joshua Roark, Director of PocketMFA