Book Lab

Finish your book in the Book Lab, a place of experimentation and accountability.

Book Lab is a yearlong intensive cohort experience for writers seeking to revise, restructure, rethink, and finalize their book-length manuscript. This program is designed to help students cross that elusive finish line from draft to publishable work. 

Over nine months, you’ll participate in workshops, receive craft instruction from published writers and publishing professionals, and have one-on-one feedback sessions with your instructor.

Book Lab students are expected to enter Book Lab with a completed or nearly completed draft of a book-length manuscript.

Book Lab with Tara Conklin

In-Person at Hugo House
Starting October 10, 2024

Learn more & apply

Book Lab with Sonora Jha

Online via Zoom
Starting October 1, 2024

Learn more & apply

Applying for Book Lab:

Book Lab is application only. Applications for Book Lab open on August 13 and close on September 17 at 11:59pm PT. No applications will be accepted after September 17.  

Book Lab applicants will be notified about the status of their application on a rolling basis. 

Payment plans are available for this class. Please email education@hugohouse.org for more information.  

Note: due to the demand and considerable preparatory work required for this course, we do not issue refunds once class has started. Be sure you are able to make the time and financial commitment before enrolling.  

Book Lab includes:

Ten-Week Class in Fall Quarter

This course will provide the opportunity for Book Lab participants to get to know each other and their individual book projects. During these ten weeks, you’ll address relevant topics and concerns surrounding your projects and be provided with writing prompts and writing time. By January, you will have developed a detailed timeline for completing your manuscript through the following year.

Six Cohort Meetings

Starting in January, your Book Lab cohort (and instructor) will meet once per month to check in on manuscript completion/manuscript-edit completion timeline. Each meeting will focus on reviewing progress from one student in addition to general discussion.

One-on-One Meetings with Mentor

Each student receives four one-on-one meetings with their mentor. One meeting follows a complete manuscript read by mentor.

You’ll also get:

  • An editorial read of your entire manuscript by your instructor, with line edits where appropriate and a detailed plan for further revisions and/or agent submission.
  • A $500 stipend to allocate toward any combination of the following: 1) a second read of your draft manuscript by a published author; 2) one-on-one support from a Hugo House coach/consultant; 3) enrollment in Hugo House class(es) of your choice.
  • Hugo House membership for a year or a one-year extension of your current membership.
  • Access to visiting professional talks in both Book Lab sections.
  • Access to a closed Book Lab Discord server available to both sections of Book Lab.
  • Access to a designated classroom and time for weekly accountability writing on-site at Hugo House.

The Book Lab cohort is between 5 and 8 students.