The Individual Consult Group (ICG) at the Attic Institute helps you advance your writing goals with one-on-one attention and support.
The ICG team is staffed by successful writing coaches, book doctors, writers, and editors chosen by Attic Institute president David Biespiel. Many of these writers are Senior Fellows, Associate Fellows, or Adjunct Fellows at the Attic Institute. Your writing coach is selected for you based on the kind of project and the kind of writing you're focused on.
Just as important: We can help you strategize about agents, book proposals, and publishing strategies.
We provide three outstanding services to help you advance and finish your writing project or manuscript:
INTRODUCTORY CONSULT
All new ICG registrants begin with an introductory consult. From our experience working with thousands of writers since 1999, we believe it's best and most efficient for you to show us a sample of your writing and manuscript before we work together to determine if an ongoing workshop, a one-time Read Review and Strategize consult, or a long-term Retainer consult might work best for you. Writers who have already taken workshops at the Attic Institute may be able to move directly into a Read Review and Strategize or Retainer consult without an Introductory Consult.
How it works: You send up to 40 double-spaced pages and receive a one-page Response Sheet that highlights what we see are strengths and potential needs, plus a 20-minute phone call to review your sample and discuss further ICG options.
Registration: $35.
This administrative fee covers setting up your ICG account, reading up to 40 double-spaced pages of your writing, and the initial review and conference by phone.
READ REVIEW AND STRATEGIZE (RRS) CONSULT
Read, Review and Strategize is the next step in the ICG. Here you have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a writing coach chosen specifically with your project in mind based on the outcome of your introductory consult and/or your experience in a previous Attic Institute workshop. Read Review and Strategize includes you and your writing coach working together on a longer portion of your project, such as an entire manuscript, drafts of chapters, outline notes, or synopsis. Writers must first register for an Introductory Consult or have taken classes at the Attic Institute before registering for Read Review and Strategize.
How it works: You select the number of pages to send to your writing coach based on your budget as determined below, and then the two of you will get into the details about what the focus of the consult should be. Read Review and Strategize includes: Reading your materials, plus a one-hour consult by phone or in person about ideas and strategies for revision, general narrative and thematic arc, character development, and style -- as well as other questions you may have about your writing.
Registration: Many literary consultants charge $500 for reading up to 80,000 words. We've set our registration fees based on the time it typically takes to read materials and meet with you one-on-one. We offer specific page and word count options because we're aware that working with a writing coach is an important investment. That said, our experience is that the more you show your writing coach the better the two of you can advance your project.
For prose fiction and nonfiction writers
RRS A: Work with your writing coach on up to 160 double-spaced pages or a maximum of 40,000 words. $280.
RRS B: Work with your writing coach between 161-210 double-spaced pages or a maximum of 52,500 words. $335.
RRS C: Work with your writing coach between 211-260 double-spaced pages or a maximum of 65,000 words. $390.
RRS D: Work withyour writing between 261-310 double-spaced pages or a maximum of 77,500 words. $430.
RRS E: For manuscripts that are above 310 double-spaced pages more than 77,500 words: $430 plus $2/page:
For poets
Poetry RSS A: Work with your writing coach up to a maximum of 30 pages or 30 poems. $195.
Poetry RSS B: Work with your writing coach between 31-60 pages or a maximum of 60 poems: $275.
For manuscripts that are over 60 pages: $275 plus $2/page.
Read Review and Strategize for picture book writers
Registration to be determined based on the project.
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TALK TO WRITE: LET NPR's EMILY HARRIS HELP YOU FIND YOUR WRITING MOJO Talking through your writing ideas with a thoughtful, expert questioner can help you clarify what you really want to write and identify your driving motivation. Seasoned NPR reporter and OPB host Emily Harris has interviewed thousands of people from all walks of life, from world leaders to war refugees, from internationally renowned artists to political leaders, and from parents, voters, thinkers, athletes, entrepreneurs to, yes, writers. Let Emily interview you one-on-one to help you focus your mind and your writing. Her approach in Talk to Write session is to peel your writing down to the essence: to hear you as you talk about what you're attempting in your writing and why. Registration: $280.
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SIX MONTH MEMBERSHIP
Our ICG membership program provides you with accountability and momentum to advance your writing project and manuscript. Work closely with an ICG coach/editor for six months diagnosing problems, setting deadlines, and providing the motivation you need to finish your project. The Membership Consult is built on a personalized relationship between you and your writing coach that evolves to meet your specific writing needs.
How it works: Throughout the six months you and your writing coach develop a system of working together that includes exchanging your writing, scheduling conferences, working within your hourly budget, and meeting deadlines to advance your writing. This is the most complete arrangement we offer to fully develop your manuscript.
Registration: The administrative membership fee maintains your ICG registration and account for six months, and ensures that your writing coach has placed your project as a priority during that time. Following payment of the retainer, you are billed on an hourly basis for the consultant's preparation and meeting time.
Upgrade Registration (from Read Review and Strategize Consult): $175 plus $64/hour
First Time Membership Registration (w/o RRS Consult): $275 plus $64/hour
Membership Registration: $225 plus $64/hour
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BOOK PROPOSAL AND AGENTING CONSULT
For writers looking specifically for support to write a book proposal for your manuscript, the registration is $500 for a full book proposal development. This includes a professional query letter, an author’s bio, an edited selection of your manuscript, and synopsis. For an additional $200 registration, we’ll also help you research agents and publishers who are right for your project.
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PROOF READING AND COPY EDITING CONSULT
For writers looking specifically for standard proof reading and copy editing support, the registration is as follows:
Proofreading: Correction of punctuation and spelling errors. $55/HOUR
Copyediting: Line editing for correction of punctuation, spelling, and all-encompassing grammatical errors. $65/HOUR
Rates are consistent with the Editorial Freelancers Association. Our editing services do not guarantee publication.
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"Already I am at work on [my novel] with a better sense of where I am going and what I have to do to get there." ~ Matthew Eagan, ICG participant
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Schedule a free private consult about your writing.