The Finished Novel Course
The serious alternative to a creative writing MFA. Write a finished, publishing-ready novel with expert coaching and a Big Five editor’s read.
The complete writer-to-author journey
The Finished Novel Course is your complete journey from first idea to a manuscript ready for literary agents. Start by finding the big idea for your story and mastering the story structure to build your outline. Next, write the novel, building daily momentum with personal coaching from your mentor — a bestselling author. Then revise and edit your draft to submission standard using expert publishing industry insights and advice from your editor. Finally, your manuscript gets a full read in The Ultimate Manuscript Assessment: detailed, publishing-standard feedback from Big Five editors, with your novel prepared for submission to literary agents. Everything a serious writer needs to go from writer to author — the full writing journey in one complete program.
Every writer is nervous before they begin
Ready to invest in yourself? Start your writing journey today
No time?
One hour per day. That’s all the commitment we ask of you. Enough to take your story through to a finished manuscript.
No story?
Then you’re in the right place. Step one of the course is designed to find your idea, your voice, and a story worth telling.
Doubting your talent?
Not all writers suffer from imposter syndrome. Only the good ones. Storytelling is a craft that can be learned.
The Finished Novel Course
The full proven pathway from first idea to a finished, publishing-ready novel
The Big Idea
Find the idea with a novel in it, then build it into a working blueprint. You’ll master story structure and outline your novel using The Five Fs® — before you write a word.
The Big Idea — The Secrets of Storytelling
Outlining Your Story
The Big Write
Build a daily writing practice and construct your novel from the ground up. Power through the middle and plot a satisfying ending. With a bestselling author coaching you the whole way.
The Inspiration and Preparation Phase
The Construction Phase
The Swim Phase
The Heat Phase
The Enlightenment Phase
The Home Phase
The Big Edit
Revise and polish your manuscript to publishing standards, with in-depth feedback from your professional book editor, and management of the literary submission process.
Turning Pro
The Developmental Edit
Line Edit
The Submission Process
The Ultimate Manuscript Assessment
Enhance your manuscript’s quality and marketability with marked-up revisions from bestselling publishing editors — and a clear plan for submission to literary agents.
The Pitch
Structural Development
A Marked-Up Manuscript
Meeting with Your Editor
Next Steps
Recommendation to Leading Literary Agents
Almost all writers seeking traditional publication need a literary agent. The major publishing houses account for almost 80 percent of book sales worldwide and acquire books almost exclusively through agents. An agent’s standing shapes which editors open your submission first: editors prioritize their inbox according to how highly they regard a particular literary agency. You want to sign with the right agent.
Our editorial team members are in conversation with leading literary agents weekly. They have strong relationships built over years working alongside agents as Big Five acquiring editors — they know what makes an exceptionally good submission, because they were on the other side of the desk receiving them. If your manuscript is a match, you’ll be invited to enter our submissions process. There is no cost for this service and we neither ask for nor accept commission. It is by invitation only. Literary agencies trust submissions from The Novelry because they’ve come to expect publishing-ready manuscripts from our graduates.
“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
You will be coached by a bestselling novelist
Their books have hit the New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller lists and been optioned for major motion pictures.
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A Big Five editor reads your book
Your editor has acquired and edited books for the Big Five major publishing houses—Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan.
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A direct line to leading literary agencies
If your manuscript is a match, you’ll be invited into our submission process — your work put directly in front of leading agents. There’s no cost, and we neither ask for nor accept commission. It’s by invitation only.
Agents take submissions from The Novelry seriously — they’ve learned to expect publishing-ready manuscripts.
A six-figure two-book deal
U.S. rights were sold to Grand Central in a significant six-figure two-book pre-empt. Atlantic imprint Corvus acquired U.K. and Commonwealth rights to One Moment, the “heart-wrenching and uplifting” debut novel by Becky Hunter as part of a two-book deal.
“I found The Novelry at a time when I was ready to give up. I was feeling very low on confidence and knew I’d be my own worst enemy if left to my own devices. The sessions with Emylia, my writing coach, were a real highlight—she always made me feel like she genuinely cared about my novel, and I was constantly amazed at the way she engaged with the story and the creative suggestions she brought forward. The sessions kept me on track and helped me work through plot kinks along the way and I felt like I had a real champion through the whole process.”
The complete journey
The Finished Novel Course
- Membership (1 Year)
- The Big Idea, The Big Write, The Big Edit
- The Ultimate Manuscript Assessment
- 200+ Lessons
- 6 Coaching Sessions
- 2 Editorial Sessions
- A Year’s Access
The Finished Novel Course
Created by a Booker Prize-listed author
For the highest standards of fiction.
Progress at your own pace
Course and community access for an entire year.
The MFA alternative
Built to MFA standards. Twelve months, not three years.
Stay a little longer
Life. It happens to the best of us.
Money-back policy
Our Happy Writing guarantee.
Write with the best in the business
Award-winning authors. Publishing editors. Leading literary agents.
60+ workshops a month
In addition to your course.
Genre expertise
What’s your style?
Video masterclasses
From the likes of Kristin Hannah and Yann Martel.
A supportive writing community
Open 24/7 worldwide. The best beta-readers.
More 5-star reviews
Than any other writing course. The Novelry is the world’s top-rated fiction writing school.
Better value than a university course
With a practical career outcome.
‘Like working with a trusted friend in the business’
‘In an often confusing process of moving from initial idea through to a submission-ready manuscript, The Novelry has proved a godsend. Not only have I completed my first draft, but my editor provided insight, wisdom, and encouragement. If you are someone who is contemplating this journey, but is intimidated by the process, or doesn't know exactly where to begin, you won't be in any better hands. You start slowly, mastering the rudiments of fiction, and then pick up the pace as you become more confident in what you're doing. Well-taught units on structure, character development, and more help you answer the zillion questions that afflict the would-be author. One thing it’s not? Formulaic. Instead, The Novelry provides the framework and best practices to help you write the book you want. It’s a decision I’m very glad to have made.’
Chris Goldschmidt
‘A good fit for any writer at any stage of their journey’
‘The layered teaching approach makes The Novelry a good fit for any writer at any stage of their journey. Each layer seamlessly builds upon the last. I especially enjoyed the self-paced structure that allowed me to absorb lessons at my own rhythm.’
Cathy Serif
‘Without a doubt, the single best thing I could’ve done for my writing career’
‘Without a doubt, the single best thing I could’ve done for my writing career. The coaching sessions were wonderful, the community is amazing. The Novelry always has the answer. I’m so grateful to them for guiding me in my publishing journey.’
Suzan Joy Meredith
‘Fantastic in all regards’
‘The Novelry combines the magic of emotion with conscious planning and structuring. Truly a wonderful experience. This course has been fantastic in all regards, well worth its cost and more. I have all the tools I need to succeed.’
Ryan Simmons
‘Completely changed my life’
‘I have learnt so much from The Novelry and their amazing coaches and editors. The sense of community among writers completely changed my life. I’ve made real-life friends through this course and I would recommend it to anyone.’
Elise Dufour
‘The best investment in yourself you can make as an aspiring writer’
‘The Novelry gave me the structure, theory and inspiration to keep going. It’s the best investment in yourself you can make as an aspiring writer. Writing a novel can feel long and lonely, but with The Novelry you have so many people around you.’
Harriet Keown
‘The Novelry is, simply, stunningly good’
‘One of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve been shocked at times by how tailored to me the course has felt. Thank you, Louise. I’ve been blown away by you, your team, the community and this course. The Novelry is, simply, stunningly good.’
Lisa Shoring
‘I think I've got a chance this time’
‘The coaching staff and editors are knowledgeable and, more importantly, considerate professionals. The courses are fresh and have truly innovative ideas and techniques to make a novel sing. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. Thank you, everyone, at The Novelry.’
Christine Benedict
‘I’m having the time of my life right now!’
‘I’m 64 and have wanted to write since high school. And now, I’m finally learning how to organize these thoughts and let them clarify their meaning in my life, and on the page. Stumbling onto The Novelry a few months ago is proving to be a huge and beautiful stumble. I knew I had ideas, but I have never studied literature or writing. I knew I needed major help with structure to begin to get a handle on my story. And The Novelry’s program, clearly so thoughtfully developed, has turned out to be exactly what I needed.’
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Mary Ann Hill
‘Thank you for all the hard work’
‘It was nice to take a somewhat theoretical approach to novel writing. I really liked that these are tools, not rules! As the author, I control the story, and it’s something I hadn’t thought about. I didn’t expect that. Thank you for all the hard work that was put into pulling all of this together. It’s not easy!’
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Bryan Farmer
‘Life-changing and therapeutic’
‘While taking these courses, I could feel my idea begin to develop and take shape. When I signed up, I felt inspired to write but had no idea where to start and had little faith in myself. This course changed my mindset and made me feel excited to start the next phase of writing.’
Meghan Andersson
‘The Novelry has taken a lot of anxiety away’
‘I was worried that writing a novel would not feel manageable but The Novelry has taken a lot of that anxiety away. Finding The Novelry and doing this course has helped me find my confidence as a writer. I can’t wait to continue.’
Hannah Bissonnette
‘The first exciting stepping stone in the right direction’
‘The Novelry is the first exciting stepping stone in the right direction. I love being in a community of other writers and having support from experts and coaches. This might be just the beginning, but it’s a super positive start.’
Fiona Martin
‘What you do here is next level’
‘I always loved literature at school and uni. But what you do here is next level. A fantastic course. I wish I could have done it in a classroom seeing all of you in person. That would be a dream.’
Mila Zambrano
‘Now I can say with conviction: I am a writer’
‘Incredible. I cannot thank you enough for helping me fulfil a lifetime dream: writing a book! I don’t think I would have done it The Novelry. The coaching sessions were invaluable, every lesson beautifully timed. Now I can say with conviction: I am a writer.’
Carly Morris
‘A talented and welcoming community’
‘I was able to solve all my concerns with The Novelry. As a first-time author, it was wonderful to find a talented and welcoming community of experienced writers and editors to learn from. I loved working with them.’
Andrew Heymann
‘The Novelry provides writers the opportunity to fulfill a dream’
‘A complete and thorough package with so many incredible aspects. The Novelry provides writers the opportunity to fulfill a dream. And while they push you, they always let you know everything will be OK. I’ve learned so much about myself. It’s wonderful.’
Chris Thompson
‘I am knocked out time and again at the quality of the lessons’
‘I was a school teacher for 23 years, and I am knocked out time and again at the quality of the lessons. The Finished Novel Course has enriched my entire life. How do I sign up for a lifetime membership? 😊’
Sean Scapellato
‘An experience I’ll cherish forever’
‘My lifelong dream has been to write a book but I’ve never had the structure or organization to get me through the finish line. The Novelry made that possible. The coaching was invaluable; every session helped my forward momentum. An experience I’ll cherish forever.’
Jaime Maier
‘Joining The Novelry was the best decision I made for my writing career’
‘Joining The Novelry was the best decision I made for my writing career. It’s not just an amazing writing course; it’s a community of ambitious writers, authors, mentors, editors, and all-round lovely people. I am so glad I found my home here.’
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Talitha McQueen
‘I cannot recommend them highly enough’
‘I’ve been writing with The Novelry for the last year, and the difference is astounding! I’ve loved all I’ve learned and am extremely grateful for the help. An absolute dream team. I cannot recommend them highly enough.’
Dr. Mona Tewari
‘Less than 12 months later, the possibility of my novel being published is real’
‘This time last year, finishing a manuscript was a dream. Less than 12 months later, the possibility of my novel being published is real. There are so many resources and opportunities to learn. I definitely recommend it.’
Catherine West-McGrath
FAQs
If you’re bursting with questions we haven’t answered here, check out our full FAQs page or feel free to get in touch.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a graduate degree that usually takes two to three years to complete. Applications for Creative Writing MFAs require a sample portfolio for entry, and prices can range from $12,000 to $48,000. Like any graduate degree, these courses vary greatly in terms of quality and resources. But one thing’s for sure: publishers aren’t looking for qualifications. They just want top-quality submissions.
Students join The Novelry to write a book that will sell. More affordable than a Creative Writing MFA, our most comprehensive course (The Finished Novel Course) is just a fraction of the cost. Most importantly, graduates leave our program holding a full manuscript, having worked with global bestselling authors and professional editors to reach publishing standard.
The Finished Novel Course is our complete course program including a full read of your novel from professional publishing editors, carefully packaged to save you money. The price of all the items includes a discount of over $1,000 (or £1,000) when purchased separately.
The price showing at our website today includes your savings. While offer lasts.
You can spread the cost too, with monthly payments.
Plus, you can extend your access to the program and keep everything included from just $59 or £49 after your year of access ends. It’s the smartest plan for writers who mean business.
Your year is structured in stages to create, write, and edit your book, allowing you the chance to work step-by-step through each phase and take any breaks you need between them. You will be guided through the course program step by step to raise your book to publishing standards with The Big Edit, before you submit your work for The Ultimate Manuscript Assessment and move on to the submission process (if invited).
This is a self-paced program, with over 150 lessons served on our beautiful online platform by video and text. You have immediate access to all lessons. Enjoy the lessons on any internet-connected device. Watch the video, read the text, and use the “speak aloud” feature to listen. You’ll need 30 minutes for each lesson and probably some thinking time to capture your thoughts and ideas as you start writing. This might be a good opportunity to start setting aside an hour a day just for you and your writing, and you’ll come to love this special time.
As the course is self-paced, you can take each phase at your own pace, according to your lifestyle, holidays, vacations, and commitments.
You can book your coaching or editorial sessions at any time during your year on the course.
Your coaching begins after the first week of the writing phase of your program, when you will write and refine your draft novel alongside a currently published author in your genre of fiction.
Before your first coaching session, we’ll guide you on how to create an outline for a commercially viable novel. You’ll be nudged in the course to use our interactive tool to submit that to us (on a regular basis as you develop your story). We’ll look at your planned storyline as a team, and if we think another writing coach would be best suited to your story, we’ll drop you a line, but you’ll be able to make the final decision (and can always swap coaches later if you wish).
Every writing coach reviews your storyline in advance of the session via the interactive tool we call “The Plan.”
Your first coaching session begins with your writing coach understanding your intentions and aspirations for your book and writing career. That’s your brief to us, and it allows us to give you the dedicated and personal guidance and support you need to achieve your ambition.
The coaching sessions are 45 minutes online, and you’ll find that’s plenty of time to get help with story development and troubleshoot any problems to stay on track with your writing. All sessions are recorded for you to keep. You may schedule your coaching sessions whenever you wish during your year with us and will be able to browse our diaries to select a time that works for you, in your time zone. Some like to stay on track with a coaching session every two weeks of their writing period, for example, and others like to pace themselves with one a month, or get more help up front or more guidance and advice later on. You can get the support you need when you need it.
During the writing of a first draft, our focus is on your storyline, and we work with you to creatively develop and expand the story together, reviewing development in every session and answering your questions for your story.
You can, additionally, book Paid Feedback Sessions which include a report and a live debrief. We suggest you leave getting feedback on your work until later in your program, after the first draft.
Unlike other writing courses, we advise you don’t share or “workshop” the novel at this stage where your confidence and the story are still vulnerable. Some courses have first-time writers on first drafts advising others in their position, and we think this is a bad idea and, at best, a waste of your very precious time.
At The Novelry, we’ll keep you and your story safe within a one-on-one relationship of trust and care with wise guidance from a published author who cares about your success and will believe in you and your story.
We’ll guide you on how to choose a coach within the first lessons, before you book your first coaching session. Once you’ve scoped your story and clarified the genre you’re working in, it’s usually very clear which coach will be the best fit — all of our coaches are successfully published authors working within specific genres.
At The Novelry, you choose your coach. We’re also happy to advise once we’ve seen your storyline and understand what kind of guidance will best serve your book.
You’re free to work with different coaches as your project develops — whether to gain specialist craft input, a fresh perspective, or expertise at a particular stage. Behind the scenes, our coaching and editorial teams work closely together, keeping careful records and sharing insight, so your story is always supported as a whole. Whoever you meet with, they’ll come briefed and prepared.
You’re never locked into a single pairing. This is a professional, collaborative process designed to give your book the very best expertise at every stage.
Yes! This is a flexible writing course you can take at your own pace around your other commitments. The time it takes to complete a novel depends on the time you can set aside, but with an hour a day, we know it’s possible to comfortably finish your novel in a year.
If you need more time, you can extend your course and roll over everything, including any unused coaching, editorial, or manuscript sessions.
The cost of another full year is $599 (USD) or £499 (GBP), or you can pay monthly (and cancel anytime) at $59 or £49 a month.
The Ultimate Manuscript Assessment will give you the ultimate feedback on your novel! Plus, you will get feedback on the first three chapters in The Big Edit, and feedback from the community too.
You can also purchase Paid Feedback Sessions for $450 or £350 for a 5,000-word section of your manuscript.
The feedback sessions offer a detailed report and a live editorial debrief recorded for you to keep.
We don’t believe in feedback or workshopping a first draft. It can kill it.
But we do believe in giving feedback on second draft and beyond, where you’re working with us toward publishing standards. Once you know what you’re keeping, it’s time to finesse—and only then. So, you’ll work with publishing editors formerly of the Big Five publishing houses at that stage. We follow a carefully managed process based on our combined industry experience of how great novels get made.
We will take great care of you and your novel, with every step at just the right time for your development.
Our courses are suitable for people with visual or auditory impairment, dyslexia, and for those with English as a second language. We offer an app which translates the course into 99 languages and a speak-aloud option too.