What is this?

A workshop designed to help you continue to develop, research, write, sell, market, and edit your book. This is geared toward folks who are: continuing from the 2024-2025 cohort; who have written books before and would like to deepen their knowledge/have an accountability group; or people with a fairly advanced first draft of the book. If this doesn’t sound like you, check out “So You Want to Write A Book.”

Who is the instructor?

Me—Kelly Clancy, PhD. I am an editor, consultant, the author of two books, and I’ve edited and consulted on dozens of books, including ones published with and under review by publishers like Oxford University Press, University of Chicago Press, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Elements, UNC Press, Jossey-Bass, Routledge, and Palgrave Macmillan. As a writer, editor, and book coach, I know what it takes to write a book that people will want to read.

I know that writing is particularly challenging when you’re negotiating the stresses of academia, managing writing with family obligations, and/or writing with an intensive teaching load. Because I’ve written, and helped people write, through all of these circumstances, I know what it takes to get things done.

What will we do?

This hybrid model is built around monthly 1.5-hour meetings, weekly co-writing sessions, and daily support on Slack so you’re never far from the book—or your community. You also have the option to add one-on-one meetings and editing with me.   

These sessions are based on a new writing model I’m developing. In order to complete your book, you need four things: words, ideas, time, and swagger (WITS!). Our discussions will focus on advanced dimensions of these four areas.

Sequence, Topics, and Schedule

These are suggested topics, and subject to change based on the needs of the group.

May: Zooming in and out: writing in ways that audiences want to read 

June: Thinking horizontally and vertically about projects

July: Writing in a voice that feels authentic 

August: How to know if you have structural problems before it’s too late

September: Character, place, setting, stories (other things academics shy away from)

October: Iteration and choice boards for to-do lists 

November: What people often get wrong with their book proposals

December: Setting intentions, looking backward, looking forward

January: Framing narratives, breadcrumbs, composite characters, other ways to reward a reader’s attention

February: Revision strategies you (possibly) haven’t thought of 

March: Creating conditions to showcase your expertise before you market the book

April: When do books need breathing room? (What to do when you’re on a break)

May: How to be your book’s own best advocate

Registration Options

Application available here.

Year-long Program: May 2025-April 2026
(can be paid in quarterly or monthly installments)

Tier I: $1000

• 12 monthly 1.5-hour-long group sessions

• Workbook, assignments, and templates to support your book at each step with written feedback each quarter.

• Weekly co-writing spaces.

•  Slack channel for ongoing support.

Tier II: $1500

The workshop plus: 6 hours of one-on-one coaching calls with me, scheduled as you like to best support your book, with specific comments on pages in progress.

All participants are eligible for a discounted rate for stylistic and/or developmental edits on their books—contact me to discuss.

FAQs