I can't believe I'm actually writing a book. I would never have been able to do this without the Novel Generator.
In a Nutshell
A seven-month program designed to help students at all levels and in all genres complete (or make substantial progress toward completing) a first draft of a novel in an environment that offers support, accountability, and feedback appropriate to the full drafting stage in the novel-writing process.
There are several Novel Generator sessions available annually, each designed to support various writers’ needs. Writers can apply to multiple programs, and they are also welcome to take the program(s) more than once, if that suits their artistic needs and rotating projects.
Key Dates & Information
- About: For writers at all levels, working in all genres, striving to complete (or make substantial progress) toward completing a full draft. Ideal for writers who are still shaping the core identity of their work and who want to explore further before committing to a genre.
- Instructor: Katherine Yeh (GASHER Journal, Flora Fiction, Blind Corner)
- Location: Zoom
- Class Size: 14
- Next Class Date: mid-September
- Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
- Learn more here [link to subpage]
- About: For writers at all levels, working in all genres, striving to complete (or make substantial progress) toward completing a full draft. Ideal for writers who are still shaping the core identity of their work and who want to explore further before committing to a genre.
- Instructor: Elizabeth Santiago (The Moonlit Vine)
- Location: Boston’s Seaport (in-person)
- Class Size: 14
- Next Class Date: mid-January
- Application Deadline: Closed, typically opens in early September.
- Learn more here [link to subpage]
- About: Writers get all the featured support typical of our Novel Generator program plus the added elements of specific writing techniques and market awareness particular to the Young Adult space, plus a one-on-one meeting with an agent at the end of the program.
- Instructor: Daniel José Older (Ballad & Dagger, The Book of Lost Saints)
- Location: Zoom
- Class Size: 12
- Next Class Date: mid-September
- Registration Opens: Monday, July 14 (Open Enrollment. No Application Required.)
- Learn more here [link to subpage]
- About: Writers get all the featured support typical of our Novel Generator program plus the added elements of specific writing techniques and market awareness particular to the Romance writing space, plus a one-on-one meeting with an agent at the end of the program.
- Instructor: Thien-Kim Lam (Something Cheeky, Full Exposure)
- Location: Zoom
- Class Size: 12
- Next Class Date: mid-September
- Registration Opens: Monday, July 14 (Open Enrollment. No Application Required.)
- Learn more here [link to subpage]
- About: Writers get all the featured support typical of our Novel Generator program plus the added elements of specific writing techniques and market awareness particular to the Mystery/Thriller writing space, plus a one-on-one meeting with an agent at the end of the program.
- Instructor: Camille Cabrera (The First Paper Cut: An Anniversary to Die For, Our Perfect Murder)
- Location: Zoom
- Class Size: 12
- Next Class Date: mid-September
- Registration Opens: Monday, July 14 (Open Enrollment. No Application Required.)
- Learn more here [link to subpage]
Overview
All the Novel Generators are designed to help a small cohort of students write the first drafts of their novels. Each course is divided into several phases, each with its own structure and goals, each a few weeks long. All phases are designed to keep writing momentum moving forward while also exploring many possible avenues to strengthen and deepen the manuscript as a whole. Topics covered include: craft, exploratory exercises, discussions of a common text, one-on-one meetings with the instructor, pages-in-progress workshops, independent writing breaks individually and/or in small accountability groups, and guest speakers from the publishing industry.
Students have entered this program with as few as 10 pages written and as many as 150. No matter how far along, all writers will be asked (through exercises and class discussion) to re-examine their initial concept and, if necessary, to make changes to shore up their plots. Writers who have already written a substantial number of pages will get the most out of this program if they feel open to all possibilities for their novels. Writers do not need advanced (or any) degrees to participate in this program. They simply need to be committed to their writing and the broader writing community. As always, scholarships are available for all tuition-based programs.
The Novel Generators can work as a companion to the Novel Incubator, but it is not an alternative to it. The Incubator is for students who have completed a strong first draft of a novel; the Generator is designed to push students toward that strong draft, whether or not they ultimately enroll in the Incubator or pursue other revision strategies.
Testimonials
“I loved the experience. I wish I had done it sooner.”
“Superb experience. It just was so much fun and so stimulating.”
“As usual, GrubStreet, you offer something truly incredible. It's a gift and a blessing to be part of the Novel Generator, and I can't believe it.”
“This is my first class with GrubStreet, and I am impressed...this is the only class that has delved into fiction craft in a meaningful way and assessed writers' work through that prism, offering real guidance on my project.”
The group dynamic was among the best I've ever had in a class, at Grub or anywhere. The community was invaluable.
Why We Started This Program
Writing a first draft of a novel is a very different process from revising a finished draft. A writer working on her first draft is discovering the answers to the most basic questions about her novel as she writes: Who are these people? What do they desire? Will they get what they want? What is this book really about? While revision requires rigorous critical feedback, that kind of detailed feedback in the early stages of a first draft can paralyze the writer.
While GrubStreet has many shorter-term courses specific to the novel, aspiring novelists have told us they wish they could continue on with the same group of students for long enough to finish their first drafts. The combination of craft instruction, accountability, instructor feedback, and class continuity in the Novel Generator has helped our students to leave the program with either a finished draft, or a partial draft and a clear path to the ending. If students achieve the course goal of writing ten new pages each week for the 30 weeks of Phases II and III of the Novel Generator, they will have written 300 pages. For many, this will be a completed draft.
Questions?
If you have specific questions about the Novel Generator program and can't find the answers on this site, email [email protected] or call the office at 617.695.0075.