A (brief) writing sample is required in the application to the Incubator. We look closely at this sample of your work (it doesn’t necessarily have to be from your book project)—but we are also looking for community-minded people, so your answers to brief questions about what you’re seeking and what you would bring to this intimate program matter as well.

Yes! We’ve had people participate from Berlin, as well as many folks on EST. We share recordings of all guest author visits and all Heartwork sessions. Anna and Colleen are admittedly time zone dyslexic, so we put everything in PCT for simplicity’s sake — most of our writers have been on the West Coast, and that’s where we are located currently.

Each week of the Incubator, you’re assigned a new writing partner. They are your accountability and moral support ally. You’ll touch base with them regularly, report your progress, celebrate minimals, and—if you so desire!—swap work.

Alums of the Incubator have likened these weekly partnerships to “speed dating” for a long-term reader/accountability partner. It’s a great way to get to know every writer in your cohort, and also to feel out who is an especially good fit for you and your writing/working style.

Editorial feedback is not a central component of the Incubator. We focus on creating prime conditions to bring your book to fruition, as we’ve noticed that attention to the emotional and social terrain of book-writing is often neglected, while editors-for-hire abound.

That said, you are likely to find readers for your work in your cohort, if you’re willing to be a reader yourself. The leaders of the Incubator, Anna and Colleen, have some availability for private editing, and have done manuscript evaluations for some alums after the Incubator is over.

Nope. We’ve had writers who are literally starting on page one of a novel draft, while others are ten years or ten drafts in. We’ve found that regardless of where you’re at, our program and community are deeply nutritious and propulsive.

For now, yes, but we may add another Incubator in the late spring at some point, so as to include folks on an academic schedule. Stay tuned! If you join our newsletter, you’ll be the first to hear this news.

Our guest authors join us for an hour of intimate conversation. The theme of these chats is “The Herculean Challenge”—we ask the guest author to talk about how they overcame their greatest obstacles, both on the craft and emotional/spiritual level. Then, it’s time for your questions. In the past, because our cohorts are small, we’ve had time for every writer to ask questions. Those who are unable to attend can send questions in advance, so we can pose them for you.

We also briefly introduce all of our writers, such that the guest author learns of your work-in-progress. In that way, some organic networking happens, and the guest has a broader context for any questions posed.

A 20% deposit is due upon acceptance, refundable until two weeks prior to the Incubator’s start date. Full payment is due one week before the Incubator start date.

Basically: we have a hard time saying goodbye. Our group grows so intimate, so mutually supportive, that it’s near impossible for the conversation to end. For that reason, we created a monthly community called The Nest that all Incubator members are invited to. The Nest is still in the experimental phase; both the components of it and the cost are liable to change as we learn and grow. For now, it includes access to a Zoom writing room, monthly Heartwork sessions (including quarterly “table reads”), and a yearly book therapy session whenever you most need it.

Apply and let us evaluate your application. There is no fee to apply. While our past cohorts have included published authors and folks with significant experience in the writing realm, we’ve also selected some emerging writers whose work and spirit impressed us.