Adult Fiction First Pages, with Amy Bishop
February 8th, 2021 - March 8th, 2021
with Brooke McIntyre
Preparing your work for submission? In this intimate workshop, you'll receive market and editorial feedback on the first 3,750 words (15 pages) of your adult fiction manuscript from literary agent Amy Bishop of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, and a small group of writers.
How it works
You'll submit your opening pages at the group start, then spend the next weeks critiquing peer stories. Amy Bishop will submit her notes near the critique deadline. After critiques are complete, we will have a debrief call where each writer gets individual time with Amy to ask questions and brainstorm next steps for their manuscript.
The group workshop format accelerates learning because, not only will you receive feedback on your own work, you will also be able to see and hear Amy's feedback on the group's stories, which you will have read and critiqued.
Each agent and editor event we offer also comes with a submission opportunity.
Participants should be sure they have at least 1 hour to give for critiquing each person's manuscript (plus reading time). Because this is a group of 7, this means you should have at least 6 hours available for your peers' stories.
Inked Voices and Amy Bishop are pleased to give away one spot free of charge to a writer from a diverse background. Apply by Jan 15th: https://inkedvoices.typeform.com/to/OQtsz0H3?
Notes
Who this workshop is for: Adult fiction writers interested in market and editorial feedback from an agent and interested in meeting other adult fiction writers. These workshops are especially geared towards writers who are at or near the querying stage.
Focus: Adult - Novels - Literary - Adult - Novels - Upmarket - Adult - Novel…
Group size: 8 writers
Submissions: There will be one submission of your first 3750 words (approximately 15 pages) at the workshop start. Participants should also plan to share their pitch/short summary with their pages. Your pitch is not included in the word count and will not be critiqued.
Fee
Members: $95; Non-members: $112
About Brooke McIntyre
Amy Elizabeth Bishop joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret as a literary agent and assistant in 2015 after interning for them in 2014. She reads widely, but gravitates towards upmarket or literary fiction with a strong female voice, narrative nonfiction in the subjects of science, history, and current affairs, as well as some select YA. In all categories, she’s actively seeking work from BIPOC authors. Before diving into the world of publishing, she graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in Creative Writing. Though she grew up upstate, she currently resides in Astoria, Queens. You can find her on Twitter at @amylizbishop.
What Amy is looking for in Adult Fiction:
Amy is seeking submissions in upmarket and literary fiction, book club fiction, literary suspense, mysteries, and fiction from BIPOC authors. Amy is not the best fit for commercial fiction, science fiction/fantasy or legal/political/military thrillers.
Amy's Approach to Critiques:
The shape of the story is always important to me: can I find my footing early in this new story-world? Do I understand how the characters relate to each other and their world? I want the story to read like a well-oiled machine, and if I can see the gears turning behind the scenes—whether it’s pacing issues, voice, or worldbuilding—I want to address that.
Schedule:
Mon, Feb 8th- Writers submit
Sun, Feb 28th - Critiques due
Wed, Mar 3rd, 7-9pm ET - Debrief call
Mon, Mar 8th - Group closes