Adult Winter Workshop with Sharon Pelletier

February 26th, 2025 - May 27th, 2025

with Sharon Pelletier

Not open yet

Member registration opens November 1st at 08:00 (EDT).
Non-member registration opens January 15th at 07:00 (EST).

A three-month workshop for writers seeking story-level feedback on their projects.

In this workshop, you will work with literary agent Sharon Pelletier and a small group of writers (up to 4 others) on the first 15,000 words of your novels in process, over two rounds. The workshop includes written feedback from Sharon and your peers, live calls to debrief each round, and a group discussion board.

The workshop begins with an introductory group call to meet the other members and discuss workshop expectations. Then you will submit the first 7,500 words of your project for feedback, plus a short 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 Sharon about revisions. You will then submit your next 7,500 words for peer and professional feedback (either a revision of round 1, or the next section of your book). The group concludes with a second group debrief call. 

What to expect from your written critiques: Sharon will provide a detailed critique on your pages addressing character development, plot development, pacing, and sentence-level writing tips to take your pages 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.

Notes

Who this workshop is for: This workshop welcomes writers working on adult fiction. Sharon is especially excited to read submissions in the upmarket, book club, women's fiction, romance, and mystery and thriller genres.

Focus: Adult - Novels - Upmarket - Adult - Novels - Relationship fiction (so…

Group size: 5 writers

Submissions:  Round 1: first 7500 words plus a synopsis; Round 2: 7500 words. 

Fee

Members: $415; Non-members: $465

About Sharon Pelletier

Sharon Pelletier joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret in 2013 after working in editorial at small presses and as a B&N bookseller, was named senior agent in 2021, and named vice president in 2024. Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, Sharon has lived in New York since 2009, but often returns to visit the Midwest and dreams of living by the ocean one day. Sharon's list includes upmarket fiction of all sorts, from smart, complex women's fiction; to unexpected suspense fiction and romance; to hearty, unforgettable book club fiction. Visit her profile on MSWL for more wishlist details.

Schedule:

  • Wed, Feb. 26th, 7-7:30pm ET - Intro call 
  • Thurs, Feb. 27th - Round 1 Submissions due (7,500 words)
  • Weds, March 19th - Critiques due
  • Weds, March 26th, 7-8:30pm ET - Debrief call on Zoom
  • Weds, April 16th - Round 2 Submissions due (7,500 words)
  • Weds, May 7th - Critiques due
  • Weds, May 21st, 7-8:30pm ET - Debrief call on Zoom
  • Tues, May 27th - Group closes