IN THE ROUGH: 

A Two-Year Writing Journey from Idea to Draft to Manuscript

This two-year program is for eight creators who want to evolve a long-form work of writing, whether a memoir, collection of essays, graphic novel, prose poem, or another writing form not yet known…

In the Rough is designed for writers with an established writing practice ready to develop a book-length draft through rigor, critique, and learning over two years with a small cohort of writers and two facilitators.

In the words of a current In the Rough participant:

“In the Rough has brought the writer in me alive. I’ve taken writing classes over the years and been inspired to write, on and off. But never before have I committed so fully, with such focus and passion. I credit that 100% to Julie and Patti’s amazing program. I feel supported, encouraged, and inspired by them and by my cohort of dedicated writers. I’ve written more pages in the last few months than in the last decade and have complete conviction that I will have my book’s first draft by the program’s end! I have zero regrets and immense gratitude.” – Ellise Nicholson

This program includes:

  • Monthly hour-long Zoom meetings will provide both community, education, and support. 
  • Four 3-day virtual retreats, where up to 75 manuscript pages (20,000 words) will be read by both faculty and cohort members and discussed.
  • Rigorous feedback so the work gets better – along with instruction on how to both give and receive feedback.
  • A diverse group of published guest authors for monthly Zoom gatherings and retreats.
  • Cohort members will be encouraged and advised on how to create other productive opportunities for writing together and creating community each month as well.
  • Required and suggested reading lists and facilitated group discussion 
  • Focused Q and A with faculty.
  • Opportunities for one-on-one meetings with one or both faculty as needed

At the end of two years, the creator will have up to 300 pages reviewed with feedback and consideration of structure, point of view, voice, dialogue, character, scene, and story narrative.

In addition, cohort members will learn from a wide variety of experts and authors, discuss craft books and other published works in detail, build a solid and lasting relationship with cohort and faculty members, and learn from guest lecturers and teachers.

 

FACULTY

The faculty for this intensive program will be authors/artists Patti Digh and Julie Gieseke.  You can read more about them at those links to their personal websites. Each brings rigor and responsiveness to this work of growing writers (and themselves in the process).

Julie Gieseke

Patti Digh

PROGRAM DATES

Cohort 4 Schedule:

May 1, 2024 – Open applications and close December 5, 2024

January 14, 2025 – First meeting of Cohort 4 (7-8pm EST / 4-pm PST)

February 24, 2025 – First submission (60 pages) for Cohort 4

March 21-23, 2025 – Retreat #1

Retreat Dates

  • March 21-23, 2025
  • August 15-17, 2025
  • March 27-29, 2026
  • August 14-16, 2026

Cost

The total program cost for two years is $8000, due in two payments, the first at the program’s start and the second, a month before the second retreat for the Cohort. Alternative payment plans may be available if needed and worked out individually with program faculty.

GO HERE to apply by November 1, 2024