Happy 2026! We’re so excited to share the replay of our Goal Setting & Q&A session with you. Whether you’re jumping into a new draft, polishing a manuscript, or preparing to query, this session will help you create meaningful goals you can actually achieve.
Plus, we’ve created comprehensive class notes (PDF) that you can download and reference throughout the year. Download here.
What You’ll Learn:
- The Two Types of Goals – Why you need both pie-in-the-sky dreams AND SMART goals (and how to use each one effectively)
- The SMART Goals Framework – How to create specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals that put YOU in control
- 5 Example Goals for Writers – From daily writing habits to submission strategies, get concrete examples you can adapt
- Managing Rejections – Why even harsh rejections are often compliments, plus practical tips for protecting your mental health during querying
- Current Market Insights – Good news for middle grade writers, YA age considerations, the return of New Adult, and more
- Query Letter Best Practices – Length, content, and how to know when your manuscript is ready
We also answered tons of questions about beta readers, illustrated books, finding an agent, and interpreting feedback. The Q&A section is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
Remember: You have the power to create magic with your words. The stories you write matter—they’re escape, learning, history, and reflection.
Let’s make 2026 your most productive writing year yet!
Julie & Jessica The Manuscript Academy
P.S. Our Submission Strategy Workshop is coming up next, followed by our members-only panel with Linda Camacho. Mark your calendars!
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About the Instructor
Jessica Sinsheimer
Jessica Sinsheimer has been reading and campaigning for her favorite queries since 2004. Now an agent at the Context Literary Agency, she is always on the lookout for new writers, and–whatever the age group–she tends to love contrast: highbrow sentences and lowbrow content, beautiful settings and ugly motives–the books that are beautiful and scary, heartbreaking and hilarious. She loves secrets, scheming, revenge, plotting–and stories that have to be written forward and backward to make sense (SHE LOVES discovering a very cleverly planted clue that makes sense in retrospect). She’d love more of what she thinks of as “Rom Com 2.0” works–powerful, nerdy women with humor and heart. More underrepresented characters, please–especially those with power, agency, and happy endings.