NOVEMBER 2022
Welcome to book inc, Project Write Now's community dedicated to novel and memoir writers. Each month, we provide program updates as well as insights and advice on writing, revising, and publishing a book.
JOIN OUR 2023 BOOK INC PROGRAMS
We are currently accepting applications for our 2023 programs: the Memoir and Novel Incubators and the Book Revision Lab.
I love going to museums. The art. The learning. The creative space. But the people … well, I don’t always love the people. I get annoyed by crowds. I’m not proud to admit that I often end up people-watching (and, yes, people-judging) instead of taking in the exhibit. Read more.
HOW WRITING MY MEMOIR MADE ME A BETTER DOCTOR
by Shanda McManus
After over 20 years as a family medicine physician, I have successfully diagnosed and treated thousands of people. I prided myself on being a good listener and I thought I mastered the art of hearing what my patients were saying. But through writing my memoir, I discovered I had much more to learn about listening. Read more.
OVERCOMING REVISION BLOCK
by Elizabeth Jannuzzi
We’ve all heard of Writer’s Block, the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing. But have you heard of Revision Block? The condition of being unable to revise after you’ve received feedback? Well, I have, because I experienced it. Read more.

WRITING OPENINGS TO KEEP YOUR READERS READING
by J. Greg Phelan
It happens every time you pick up a new book. You turn to page one with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Will it draw you in? Or push you away? After reading the book’s opening lines, you know. This book isn’t for you. Or, you experience that wonderful feeling—one of life’s great pleasures—that the author has a good story to tell. You’re in good hands. Read more.

BOOK REVISION LAB
We’ve continued to explore various ways to revise, building our writers’ toolboxes with different strategies. One technique we discussed was honing our “inside stories,” which sharpens the focus on the protagonist’s transformation. By defining our character’s fatal flaw, we can better shape the events and turns in the narrative. We also reviewed self-editing strategies, such as formatting and removing “weasel words,” those pesky words we overuse in our manuscripts. By sharing the revision strategies that are working for us, we motivate each other to keep going … keep improving our manuscripts, setting goals, and strengthening our writing!
MEMOIR AND NOVEL INCUBATOR
As the end of the year approaches, so does the excitement and anticipation of finishing our book manuscripts. Currently, we're at the beginning of our second reading round, where we divide up into pods to provide fresh reader feedback. Within each pod, we selected our "slots," volunteering to go first, second, or third. Slot #1 writers are looking forward to their upcoming book discussion the week after Thanksgiving, while Slot 2 and 3 writers are revising and finalizing their drafts for their later reader discussions. The Incubators conclude mid-January and many of us writers have enrolled in the Book Revision Lab as a next step to moving our books forward towards publication!   
Are you interested in writing a book, but not ready to embark on a long-term project? PWN's Writers Institute offers several classes and workshops to help you along. 

  • PWN's Writers Institute Fall Session II has begun but there are still a few classes that haven't started yet. Register now to secure your spot!
  • Bring your snapshots to life in Legacy Writing: Snapshots. This three-week class will run on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. ET, starting November 29.
  • Weave facts with personal insights in the three-week class Having Your Say: Op-Ed & Expository Writing on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET, starting November 30.
  • Stay tuned: The 2023 Winter Session will be announced soon!