The vision: 8-10 writers per group, who are working on book length projects and need support to keep them on track, but not necessarily feedback at this stage. You will not be required to read anyone else’s work, nor will you get feedback on your own, although there will likely be opportunities at times to swap work. But this is not a workshop, in the traditional sense. It is an accountability workshop. We are working to keep butts in chairs, and help you work through problems that arise in your work.

The reason: The Accountability Workshop is inspired by Annie and Tessa’s own journey as accountability partners, where we helped each other wade through our respective second books. Annie’s second novel, UNLIKELY ANIMALS, just came out with Random House, and Tessa’s second novel, THE RED GROVE, is coming with FSG in May 2024. Annie is also the author of the novel RABBIT CAKE and Tessa is the author of the memoir THE ELECTRIC WOMAN. We wrote much of our first books when we were in the cushy embrace of our MFA/PhD programs, but found ourselves at sea for our second books…until we found each other.

Meetings: 1.5 hour meetings, held every 2 weeks. Again, this is not a workshop, but a meeting to discuss progress, problems that come up in your work, and help each other with our ideas for our project, as well as help with writing routines.

Meeting times: Mondays 1-2:30pm ET, Wednesdays 1-2:30pm ET, Wednesdays 8 pm-9:30pm ET, every other week.

Scholarships Available! We will be awarding full year-long scholarships to five writers from underrepresented groups in publishing, focusing on writers of color. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Click here to apply!

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT from your coaches:

Phone/Email Support: Annie and Tessa are available for one-on-one phone calls, emails, or zoom meetings as necessary – individual pep-talks, tips to work through plot problems, random questions, etc. These calls will be held on request.

Slack Group: Each cohort has a slack channel to check-in and support one another between sessions. Post helpful articles, pledge to mini-goals, share resources, etc. Plus, fun and jokes.

The Cave: Three times per week, we offer 1.5 hour zoom writing session, which includes a quick hello, intention-setting, and then two 40 minute work sprints.

Monthly Speaker Series: Recent guests have included agents, publicists, amazing writers like Jonathan Escoffery, Clare Beams, Marie-Helene Bertino, an agent, a publicist, and even a Scrivener masterclass.

And most importantly! THE CONTRACT. Inspired by an Aimee Bender essay, you will also be asked to come up with a writing contract with yourself, which outlines on your own terms of how much writing/editing you are committing to -- whether that’s 2 hours a day, or 3 writing days a week, 1000 words a day, whatever, you will be in charge of your own terms.

THE NITTY-GRITTY DETAILS:

Price: $150/month

All genres welcome.

You can drop out at any time. We want writers to use us when they need us, and feel free to step back when they don’t. We imagine writers may find it useful long-term, and some writers may just need a month or two or three to finish a project or renew a commitment to a writing routine.

Payments will be made on the 1st of the month.

To sign up, email Tessa through the contact form on this website, or for all the goods, visit our official fancy website. We look forward to meeting you!