Fast Response Deadline for Summer Cohort: June 30, 2025Apply Now
PocketMFA
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The Novel Studio: From Manuscript to Market in 6 Months

You will find guidance, community, and feedback in PocketMFA’s Novel Studio, a six-month program designed to both generate words (78,000+) and the strategy and know-how for getting your book into the market.

A complete novel. A polished submission package. A roadmap to publication.

  • Draft or revise 78,000+ words, guided by clear monthly targets and craft-focused assignments
  • Work 1-on-1 with a mentor: Each month includes a Zoom session and personalized feedback on 20 pages
  • Attend 18 live seminars taught by publishing professionals (agents, editors, authors, marketers)
  • Craft your submission package: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, comps, logline, and sample pages
  • Collaborate in a private cohort of up to 8 writers with writing sprints, peer check-ins, and an active community chat

Next Steps:

Complete your free application, or RSVP for a one-on-one info session with Lauren.

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 plan to help you finish—and launch—your novel.

Our Assistant Director, Lauren T. Davila, will be facilitating the inaugural cohort and this is what she had to say:

“Beyond my work at PocketMFA, I am an author, anthologist, and most importantly, an Acquisitions Editor. Every day, I see query letters, synopses, and summaries from authors with fantastic plot ideas, but the execution just isn’t apparent on the page. My goal with the new Novel Studio is to bring my expertise in developmental editing and publishing know-how to you. Let’s get your novel ready!”

You’ll move through three major phases—Drafting, Editing, and Publishing Prep—with a clear plan each month. Seminars cover everything from pacing, comp titles, and fast drafting techniques to platform-building and submission strategy. We expect writers to commit at least 12-15 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 inaugural cohort begins September 1st and spots are limited. Tuition for the program is $5,497, with payment plans, partial scholarships, and alumni discounts available. Enrollment will be capped at 8 writers and preference will be given to alumni of our PocketMFA 12-week cohort.

 

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.
“Francesca held a positive, non-judgmental space for tackling writing hick-ups in my novel. Because I’m also a poet and fiction writer, I felt like she brought a fresh perspective to fiction writing with her poetic background and helped me truly see that both have a place in fiction writing… She brought a lot of clarity through simple, clear suggestions regarding the flow of my novel and connecting the dots in my plot that I didn’t have before starting with our cohort. Francesca does a wonderful job making a writer feel seen and heard in their process.”
 

Katy — Summer ’24

“Pocket MFA has been invaluable to me. Robert was a perfect mentor, who really meshed with my own unique writing style. On top of that, everyone in our group was incredibly thoughtful, kind, and inquisitive. It was truly a blast seeing everyone each week and learning at a breakneck pace. The bar has been set high for future writing groups I may join… I feel more confident than ever in my writing, and I have a tangible sense of progress in both my academic understanding of prose writing, and creative fire when it comes to my personal projects.”
 

Matthew — Fall ’23

“Besides the obvious outcome of the experience helping me to cultivate + operationalize my writing/revising/submitting and reading/ruminating routines, my biggest and most unexpected takeaway is the kindness with which the program is imbued and, which it inculcated in all of us. The mantra of making someone excited to go back to working on their work is so precious 😊 Please don’t ever stop talking about this, and walking the talk on it!”

Shirley — Winter ’25