Ten years ago, Manuscript Academy co-founders Jessica Sinsheimer and Julie Kingsley rented a theater, hired a film crew, and tried to talk over the sound of jackhammers to film their very first online conference. The date? September 17, 2016.
And the response? You can’t do a conference online!
But not everyone can drop everything, fly across the country, make a hotel reservation, and spend thousands to attend a conference in person. Those writers deserve access, too.
A decade–and members in 56 countries, tens of thousands of agent consultations, weekly recorded member events, and many amazing moments and success stories later, Manuscript Academy is kicking off its 10th anniversary season.
Here’s a preview of what we have on offer:
Genre Celebration Events
New this season: a year of parties to celebrate our favorite genres. Each includes five mini classes taught by agents and editors, a live feedback panel, and a forum to find your best new critique partners, writing groups, and “Can you take a look at this draft?” friends in your genre. See this month’s event + get your ticket at genre.manuscriptacademy.com.
A New 10-Minute Podcast Format
Every episode this season runs just 10 minutes, featuring literary agents, editors, and authors talking through the topics writers actually need: query letters, comp titles, pacing, plotting, and platform-building. The idea, as Jessica and Julie put it, is that if a 10-minute consult can change your query letter, a 10-minute episode can change how you think about your book. View this season here.
A Reunion Month for Founding Members
Because it’s our 10th year, we’re setting aside a full reunion month for writers who were with Manuscript Academy at the very beginning, back in 2016 (anyone who had an active membership September 2016–September 2017 is eligible). Founding members can email academy@manuscriptwishlist.com for a complimentary ticket and a chance to reconnect with the community–and to share their favorite Manuscript Academy memory, some of which may be featured.
A Worldwide Ambassador Project
Manuscript Academy is also launching a global ambassador project, with more details to come. The goal: give writers around the world a low-effort way to support other writers locally.
One hint: To participate, you’ll need a printer, a bookstore, and a sense of whimsy.
And a Few Things We’re Not Confirming Yet
Jessica and Julie teased one more announcement this season, including the possibility of an in-person immersive party later in the year. For now, we’re not confirming or denying anything.
Free Resources, Year-Round
Beyond the anniversary programming, Manuscript Academy’s core offerings remain available to every writer:
- Free resources–a YouTube channel free event replays at manuscriptacademy.com/free
- A writing community for finding critique partners, celebrating book deals, and getting support from other writers at ManuscriptAcademy.com/Facebook
For Jessica and Julie, that community is still the heart of the work. “It’s still writers helping writers,” we said in our first podcast episode—pointing to a recent story from their agent help desk, where a writer described finding their critique group through a Manuscript Academy event a year earlier. They’re still going strong, and we’re delighted. Use our events like Craigslist and you may just end up with the same.
Full List of Anniversary Programming
For the complete rundown of everything planned for Manuscript Academy’s 10th anniversary–podcast season, Genre Celebrations, Reunion Month, the ambassador project, and more — visit anniversary.manuscriptacademy.com.