2025 Whole Novel Workshop: An Online Course for Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, & Beyond

DEADLINE IS ON - OR BEFORE - AUGUST 27 (with final notifications on or before September 20)


  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting immediately through AUGUST 27, 2025. Once the program is full, all accepted applicants will be added to the Waiting List.
  • If your application is scholarship dependent, please use the scholarship application portal for your application instead of this application. (https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/scholarships/)
  • We have flexible payment plans for those accepted who do not have a scholarship to apply towards the cost of the program.
  • Program cost ($2,199) includes weekly lectures, small group workshopping, your whole novel review with a detailed feedback letter, and a 60-minute 1:1 consultation with your faculty reader.
  • There is NO fee to apply, though once accepted and manuscript submitted, there is a $1100 cancellation fee.
  • More details about this application can be found at https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/whole-novel-workshops/


Questions? Contact us at support@highlightsfoundation.zendesk.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION


SUBMISSION

Your submission should include:

  • A one-page synopsis (or summary) of the novel you wish to workshop in this program.
  • The first 5 - 10 pages of the novel you wish to workshop in this program. (Whole Novels are due November 6, once you have been accepted into the class.)


Please format your submission:

  • As one pdf document, beginning with your synopsis.
  • In 12-point font with your name on each page of the document.
  • Name your file as FirstName.LastName_Genre_Title (example: Reilly.Lou_YAHistorical_The Last Home in Ireland.pdf)
Drag and drop files here or

YOU AND YOUR WORK

Please provide a summary of this project at 100 words or less.

How far into this project are you at this time? Full draft? Partial draft? Revised draft? Please explain.

Tell us a little about what connects you to this project and why you think the Whole Novel Workshop will be a good fit for your goals.

We seek a diverse cohort of voices at our programs and events. To your comfort level, please tell us more about yourself, including ways that you identify. Please share any identity markers that you are comfortable sharing: race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (including expression), neurodiversity, disability, socioeconomic status, age, geography, appearance, linguistic or cultural identity, veteran status, and/or any other details that you would like to share.


Genre Online (October - December)
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In the event that the Whole Novel workshop that you've applied becomes full, would you be willing to move your application for review to another Whole Novel opportunity (within the same year)? To see all Whole Novel opportunities, please visit: https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/whole-novel-workshops/

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