PROFESSIONAL SERIES
​​
Must have first draft mostly completed OR have attended the entire Skeleton & Soul series to attend this series.
Professional Courses 1-3
The Architect's Edit
The structural revamp. One of the most important stages in revision.​ Tell your story in the most effective and fitting way. What scenes are working for you and where would they have the most impact? Which chapters need to be eliminated?
​
​​
October 26 - 30, 2026​
The Prose Polish
More than writing pretty sentences, this is where you showcase your voice, your style. Scrape and buff and polish all the extra modifiers, redundancies, all the "darlings" that sound great but don't really say anything.
​​
​​​
​
November 9 - 13, 2026
The Business of Publishing
For serious writers getting ready for publication.​Everything prior to this course is about depth. This course is about clarity. Learn how to refine your elevator pitch, what to say in a query letter (that agents actually care about), and more insider tips about the publishing industry. ​
​
December 7 - 11, 2026
Hannah Whitten
Instructor for Professional III: The Business of Publishing
Hannah Whitten has been writing to amuse herself since she could hold a pen, and sometime in high school, figured out that what amused her might also amuse others. Her books have been international bestsellers and translated into multiple languages. When she's not writing, she's reading, watching horror movies, or chasing her feral children. She lives with her family in Tennessee.
Jessica Berg
Instructor for Professional III: The Business of Publishing
Jessica Berg is the founder and agency director of Rosecliff Literary, a boutique agency built on the belief that ambitious writers deserve transparency, strategy, and a seat at the table. She earned her MFA from Spalding University and brings more than a decade of experience to her work with clients.
In addition to her agency role, Jessica serves as a contributing editor for Writer's Digest, where she writes and consults on topics related to querying, craft, comp titles, and the business of authorship. She teaches globally on query letters, positioning, and sustainable author careers. Jessica serves on the board of the Historical Novel Society and is a chair for the National Women's Book Association.
She lives online at @jessica__berg, where she talks about querying, writing life, and the realities of publishing with transparency, humor, and a touch of glam. Connect with Rosecliff at @roseclifflit.
Free download: How to Pitch Your Book in 30 Seconds at https://www.jessicaberg.me/the-30-second-book-pitch
What you will receive:
Each resident will receive a copy of their instructor's latest book (or if it's part of a series, then the first book in the latest series).
A leather-bound writing journal.
A credit for the Book of the Year submission.
Based on instructor recommendation, bypass of the first two vetting tiers and acceptance to the Masterclass.
Professional review of select pieces of your manuscript.
Residency Overview
Each Professional residency will follow the same general outline:
​
Monday
5pm Check-in
5:30-7pm welcome drinks & ice-breakers
7pm Dinner at the Grand Haven / Spring Lake Holiday Inn
8:30-9pm Opening Lesson
​
Tuesday
8-10am Breakfast
10:30am - Noon - First Session
Noon - 3pm Lunch & free write
3:30-5pm - Second Session
5:30-7pm - Free write
7pm Dinner at Mud Penny (or your preference)
8:30-9pm Open Mic Readings
​
Wednesday
8-10am Breakfast
10:30am - Noon - First Session
Noon - 3pm Lunch & free write
3:30-5pm - Second Session
5:30-7pm - Free write
7pm Dinner at Mud Penny (or your preference)
8:30-9pm Open Mic Readings
​
Thursday
8-10am Breakfast
10:30am - Noon - First Session
Noon - 3pm Lunch & free write
3:30-5pm - Second Session
5:30-7pm - Free write
7pm Dinner at Mud Penny (or your preference)
8:30-9pm Open Mic Readings
​
Friday
8-10am Breakfast
11am Check-out
11am - Noon Boardwalk Free-write
Noon-1:30 Lunch
1:30-3pm Final Lesson