Manuscript Program FAQs
When are you accepting applications to the 10-Month Manuscript Program?
October is when we typically begin accepting applications for the program. If you're signed up for our mailing list (which you can do on our website home page) you'll get all the updates we send out about that.
Who can apply to the 10-Month Manuscript Program?
Writers who are just beginning with an idea as well as writers who are mid-draft (or ready for revision) would both benefit from the program, but the explicit goal of all workshop sections is to have a finished first draft (or large chunk of it) at the end of ten months.
Are there any prerequisites to being accepted (education, publications, etc)?
The program is open to writers at all stages of the process, and at a range of different levels. That said, it does require a rigorous commitment to your work and a clear project in mind that you plan to work on for the entire year. The ideal applicant is someone who is deeply committed to their growth as a writer, their role in a long-term program, as well as to furthering their manuscript; they understand the rigorous nature of this program and they and their work thrive in an environment where craft readings and books are discussed frequently, prompts and other resources are made available, and feedback is given monthly, all in addition to work on their own manuscripts.
Is the Manuscript Program all virtual?
Yes! The program is fully virtual, intensive and comprehensive, and was designed in the spirit of building a community of writers committed to supporting each other through the rigorous and sometimes lonely process of completing a draft of a manuscript. There are no in-person meetings or commitments.
Help! I can’t decide what section to apply to!
Please apply for the genre section which your manuscript falls under. If there’s confusion about this, or your project straddles two genres, look closely at the outlines for each genre section on the Manuscript Program page, which breaks down the topics that instructor will cover. If you are still unsure of which section is best, choose an option, and then let us know you’re unsure in the application (there will be space for this). We review all applications thoroughly and weigh each accepted application as to what genre group makes the most sense, so rest assured if you are accepted, you will end up in the right section!
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When will I find out if I have been accepted?
Applicants are notified of their status in January, and the workshops begin each year in March and run through December of that year.
Do you offer financial aid or assistance?
We do not have financial aid available for this program. However, if you can only attend with partial aid, you are welcome to apply and mention that on your application, as in rare cases we have been able to offer partial aid. However, this should not be expected and does not happen often or for all workshops. If you apply and let us know that you can only attend with aid, please know that we will offer you a spot in your first choice workshop only if we are also able to offer you aid.
Do you offer refunds?
Because spots in each section of the program are limited and in demand, we are not able to offer refunds for withdrawals from the program after payment has been made. All deposits and tuition are final and nonrefundable.
Do you have payment plans?
We have the ability to accept payment through PayPal's PayLater, which allows payment in several smaller installments. However, please note that if you use PayLater, any specific questions you have regarding billing or payments will need to be directed to PayPal, not PVWW. If you are interested in this, you can let us know on the application, and we will share more information if/when you are accepted into the program.
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How much technical/computer knowledge do I need to participate in the program?
All participants must be comfortable with basic computer use, including attending meetings on Zoom, frequent emailing, attaching documents in email, and correct formatting of submitted pages. Each group will also have an online classroom where materials will be posted and shared, so basic comfort with computer use and/or a willingness to explore and learn will be helpful. While participants may not be familiar with Google Classrooms, they must be comfortable and willing to learn, including asking for and seeking out help outside of the program if needed, as the sharing of materials will happen exclusively through Google Classrooms.
​How do you accommodate writers with disabilities in the program?
We do everything we can to accommodate participants who need extra assistance, though we are not able to offer typing services, direct computer or tech support, or alternatives to screen use. If you are wondering if/how we can accommodate you, please don't hesitate to get in touch and ask! You can email us at admin@pioneervalleywriters.com.
Do you accept AmeriCorps education awards to help pay for the program?
Unfortunately, in order to use the education award, "the school must be a title IV institution who is able to process financial aid." That would not include us, as we are not title IV and do not work with the federal government to process financial aid.
Do I need to have a full first draft?
No. Applicants generally have begun a first draft of their books, yet most are early in the process. The only section of the Manuscript Program that requires a completed draft is the Novel Revision section - though Novel First Draft, Poetry/Hybrid, Memoir, and Nonfiction do not require that. We recommend that you have, at the very least, an idea you're committed to seeing through and that you've begun, at least in a small way, on the manuscript before applying.
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Novel Revision: What if my manuscript isn’t done?
For the novel revision section of the Manuscript Program, the group reads complete novels each month, so for example, in March, one writer will have their complete manuscript read, then in April, another. Because of the nature of this system, we do ask that all writers have complete drafts of their manuscripts by the start of the program (March) as we don't know how the workshopping schedule will fall and can't guarantee that someone might get a later date for workshopping. If you're confident that you'd have a full draft ready by March, wonderful! If you’re uncertain, the Novel First Draft section might be a better fit.
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What is the workload like?
The workload for this program is significant, and writers should be prepared to spend at least 2 - 3 hours per week on their work and the course materials. Of course, the nature of the program also does allow for flexibility, and if one week is more difficult for you, then much of the work can be done at your own timing. Though all applicants to this program should be prepared for a fairly rigorous balance of working on your own manuscripts, reading / offering feedback to classmates each month, reading assigned books and craft essays, as well as making time for Accountability Buddies and the monthly three-hour class meetings.
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Is it too early to apply if I don’t have an idea of my book?
We definitely have people in the program at all stages of the process, some just starting out with an idea. I do think you may get more out of the program if you do have at least the inkling of an idea that you're interested in exploring, as you will ultimately have "floor time" where you'll receive feedback from the group (some people in very early generative stages have used this time more as a brainstorming session, and it can ultimately be used in whatever way you choose, including bouncing ideas around with the group). However, there are a lot of aspects of the program beyond just the workshop/feedback, so it can very much be a place to figure out what the story you want to write is as well. It might come down to what kind of writer you are and how you like to work best, and what your goal of being in the program is: There certainly is a lot that will be going on (craft talks, accountability buddies, monthly workshops, assigned books and readings) so in some ways being at the very beginning of an idea (or looking for an idea) might actually be a positive thing, in that you'll have a lot of time to focus on everything else. The only possible hiccup could be if you didn't have even a start of an idea or concept when your turn for "floor time" (feedback / workshop) happened. At that point, you could use the time however you'd like, or share whatever ideas you have, and the group would help, but it might not be as helpful as if you had the first pages written. However, this all really depends on how you like to work. Some people might like the pressure of an approaching workshop / floor time spot in order to help get them motivated to turn something in - so there's that! In short, you are certainly welcome to apply, and as long as you feel committed to what the program is and it seems like a good fit for you, it could work well!