Individual Consult Group (ICG) at the Attic Institute

A conversation about your writing that matters.

 

The Individual Consult Group (ICG) is the Attic Institute's successful program for you to receive one-on-one consulting, coaching, editing, and private, supportive feedback to advance your writing efforts.

Whether you're in the middle of a novel, writing a memoir or other nonfiction, drafting a few stories, shaping a book of poems, writing for children, or looking for advice about agents, book proposals, and publishing, we have a lot of experience to help you out.

The ICG team is staffed by successful writers and editors who are chosen by Attic Institute president David Biespiel. Many of these writers are Senior FellowsAssociate Fellows, or Adjunct Fellows at the Attic Institute. Your writing consult is based on the kind of project and the kind of writing you do.

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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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FREE CONSULT

All consults begin with a free conference call with Attic Institute president David Biespiel. The call is the place for start getting some feedback about your writing needs. After the initial call, writers can set up a formal Introductory Consult, which is often the first step in the process of pairing you up with a writer-editor selected specifically for your project, or, as sometimes happens, you might decide to register for an upcoming workshop. 

 

To initiate a free conference call consult, e-mail us — and when you do, please let us know specifically what you're working on and want to discuss. Then we'll get back in touch and begin to talk together about your writing.

 

INTRODUCTORY CONSULT

All new ICG registrants begin with an introductory consult. From our experience from working with thousands of writers since 1999, we have found that the introductory consult is an especially efficient way for you to show us a sample of your writing, get some feedback, and make a good decision about what we might be able to do to help you out. During the introductory consult, we work with you to determine if an upcoming workshop, a one-time Read Review and Strategize session, or a longer term ICG membership consult is best for you. 

One note: Writers who have already taken workshops at the Attic Institute may be able to move directly into a Read Review and Strategize or ICG Membership consult without an Introductory Consult.

How it works: You send up to 20 double-spaced pages to David Biespiel. He takes a look, schedules a 20-minute phone call with you to review your sample and, more important, discuss your options.

Registration: $35.

This administrative fee covers setting up your ICG account, reading up to 20 double-spaced pages of your writing, and the initial review and conference by phone.

 

READ REVIEW AND STRATEGIZE (RRS) CONSULT

Read, Review and Strategize provides you with the opportunity to work one-on-one with a writer-editor chosen specifically with your project in mind.

Read Review and Strategize includes you and your writing consultant working together on a longer portion of your project, such as a complete draft of a manuscript, drafts of chapters, outline notes, or even a 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. This consult session might include, for prose writers, discussion of 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, including publication leads. For poets, the consult might include discussion of common themes, stylistic concerns, ordering of a manuscript, and publication leads.

Registration: We offer specific page and word count options because we're aware that working with a writing consultant is an important investment. 

 

For prose fiction and nonfiction writers

RRS A: Work with your writing coach on up to a maximum of 35,000 words. $265 (cash/check); $274 (credit).

RRS B: Work with your writing coach between 35,000 and a maximum of 50,00 words. $310 (cash/check); $320 (credit).

RRS C: Work with your writing coach between 50,000 and a maximum of 60,000 words. $360 (cash/check); $372 (credit).

RRS D: Work withyour writing between 60,000 and a maximum of 70,000 words. $410 (cash/check); ($423 credit).

RRS E: For manuscripts that are above 70,000 words: $410 (cash/check); ($423 credit). Plus $2 per 250 words.  

 

For poets

Poetry RSS A: Work with your writing coach up to a maximum of 30 pages or 30 poems. $210 (cash/check); $217 (credit).

Poetry RSS B: Work with your writing coach between 31-50 pages or a maximum of 60 poems: $290 (cash/check); $299 (credit).

For manuscripts that are over 50 pages: $290 (cash/check); $299 (credit), 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 mojo.

PLEASE NOTE: While Emily is working as the Jerusalem correspondent for National Public Radio, we 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: $265 (cash/check); $274 (credit).

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SIX MONTH ICG MEMBER CONSULT

Our ICG Member Consult 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 Member 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 budget, and meeting deadlines to advance your writing. This is the most complete arrangement we offer to fully develop your manuscript. 

Registration: The administrative fee maintains your ICG member registration and account for six months, and ensures that your writing coach has placed your project as a priority during that time. Following the membership payment, you are billed on an hourly basis for the consultant's preparation and meeting time. 

Upgrade Registration from Read Review and Strategize Consult: $190 ($196 credit) plus $64/hour ($67 credit).

First Time ICG Membership Registration: $290 ($299 credit) plus $64/hour ($67 credit).

ICG Membership Renewal Registration for additional six month periods: $240 ($248 credit) plus $64/hour ($67 credit).

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Schedule a free private consult about your writing.

 

A Statement of Our Values

The Attic Institute of Arts and Letters opposes the legitimation of bigotry, hate, and misinformation. As a studio for writers, we do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We embrace and celebrate our shared pursuit of literature and languages as essential to crossing the boundaries of difference. To that end, we seek to maintain a creative environment in which every employee, faculty member, and student feels safe, respected, and comfortable — even while acknowledging that poems, stories, and essays delve into uncomfortable subjects. We accept the workshop as a place to question ourselves and to empathize with complex identities. We understand that to know the world is to write the world. Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to literary pursuits and shared understanding by affirming diversity and open inquiry.