EDUCATION
GCLS is committed to providing first-rate educational opportunities in wlw and trans/non-binary literature. From our scholarships to our payment plans to the annual conference, the GCLS has something for everyone, accessible to everyone. Learning, growing, and sharing in our diverse community is the foundation of this organization. The Education Department offers master classes, mentoring, and a nine-month Writing Academy.
GCLS Writing Academy: A Novel Idea
Whether you're just beginning your writing journey or have published your first novel and are struggling with what to do next, GCLS has a novel-writing program for you!
Writing Academy 1: Skill Building
Writing Academy 1 is a nine-month program focused on skill development. Classes are designed to guide participants through basic novel-writing topics such as point of view, crafting natural dialogue, and writing believable characters. This course includes feedback on the participant’s first 100 pages from an established author in the GCLS sapphic novel-writing community.
Writing Academy 2: Beyond the Basics
Writing Academy 2 is a nine-month program focused on in-depth explorations of key craft elements and practical skills applications. This course assumes a basic knowledge of writing basics including terms and application and relies heavily on working with your peers to reflect on and revise your WIP. This course includes feedback on 100 double-spaced pages of the participant’s WIP from an established GCLS sapphic novel-writing community author.
Writing Academy 3:
Writing Academy 3 is a nine-month program focused on editing, marketing, and promoting a completed or nearly completed manuscript. This course takes participants through publishing options, your book as a product, planning your book launch, and building a following. This course culminates in the creation of a marketing portfolio that will be reviewed and commented on by an established GCLS sapphic novel-writing community author.
Program Timeline and Information
Each program is comprised of approximately 15 students and uses a mix of full-time faculty and honorary guest instructors, all of whom are successfully published authors, to ensure students are getting the most up-to-date and relevant information in all classes.
Programs run from September until June and culminate in extremely valuable mentoring with established authors from the GCLS community.
Ready to begin your journey of honing the skills necessary to write excellent women-loving-women literature and trans/nonbinary/genderfluid narratives? Click below to apply to the writing academy of your choice.
Need time to decide? Join our mailing list. We are happy to have you!
Testimonials
Watch our mini-documentary to hear about past students and their experiences