YA & MG Novel in Verse Workshop with Julie Bliven - Winter 2026
January 12th, 2026 - April 29th, 2026
with Julie Bliven
Member registration opens
November 3rd at 09:00 (EST).
Non-member registration opens
December 4th at 09:00 (EST).
A three month workshop for writers seeking story-level and line-level feedback on their Novel in Verse projects to take their work to the next level.
In this workshop, you will work with senior development editor, Julie Bliven, and a small group of writers (up to 5 others) on your novel in verse, in process, over two rounds. The workshop includes a live Zoom class, followed by an intimate workshop where you will receive written feedback from Julie and your peers, participate in live calls to debrief each round, and a group discussion board where Julie will offer prompts and answer questions.
The workshop begins with an introductory Zoom class on the specific craft of writing a verse novel. You will then submit the first 35 poems/pages of your project for feedback, plus a synopsis (this is for your readers and will not be critiqued). You have three weeks to read and post your written critiques of participants work. Round 1 critiques are followed by a group debrief call where you can dig into questions about the notes and/or brainstorm with Julie about revisions. You will then have four weeks in which to revise. Round 2 follows, where you will submit your revised 35 poems/pages, plus your next 35 poems/pages for feedback. You'll have 4 weeks to exchange feedback on your R2 submission. The group concludes with a second debrief call.
What to expect from your written critiques: Julie will provide a detailed critique on your pages addressing character development, plot and story development, pacing, and poetry at the line-level, to take your project to the next level.
*This workshop has a zero tolerance policy against racist, sexist, harassing, or otherwise offensive behavior. Writers who engage in this behavior against the instructor or fellow writers, or present material that promotes this behavior, will be removed from the workshop without a refund.
<p>Writers may register for one MG and YA workshop per season. The spring season includes all workshops with Spring in the title. If spaces are available one month prior to a workshop starting, writers will be able to register for a second workshop.</p>
Notes
Who this workshop is for: <p>This workshop welcomes writers working on YA & MG fiction stories in verse.</p><p>Writers are expected to be at an intermediate level of verse novel writing craft or above. Writers may have achieved this through self-study of books and exercises, or organized instruction such as classes, workshops, or webinars. Writers should be familiar with elements of craft such as characterization, plot, internal arc, pacing and poetic convensions, in order to offer craft-rooted feedback to their peers.<br></p>
Focus: Children's - Middle Grade - Verse Novel - Children's - Youn…
Group size: 6 writers
Submissions: <p>Round 1: Your opening 35 poems/pages. Round 2: A revision of your 35 poems/pages plus your next 35 poems/pages. You will submit a synopsis with R1.</p><p><br></p><p>Verse specifics:</p><p>-- No more than one poem per page.</p><div>-- No multiple columns on each page (i.e. one column of stanzas), unless it's pertinent to the structure of a certain scene (ie dialogue depicted as two columns). </div><div><br></div><div>-- 1.5 spaced stanzas. </div><div><br></div><div>-- regular 12 point font unless pertinent to the visuals of the NIV in that scene </div><div><br></div><div><br style=""></div><p><b>Changes and Withdrawals Policy: </b><br></p><ul><li>2 months or more ahead of a workshop start: you will be credited the full amount of the workshop, less a $15 change fee.</li><li>Under 2 months to 15 days ahead of a workshop start: you will be credited for the full workshop cost less a $15 charge if we are able to replace you. If we can't replace you, you will receive a credit for 50% of the workshop cost.</li><li>Withdrawals within 2 weeks of a workshop start will not be credited even if you are able to be replaced. Your payment will go towards our scholarship program. </li></ul>
Fee
Members: $545; Non-members: $600
About Julie Bliven
to follow
Schedule:
Round 1: Round 2: