Putting Together Your Full-Length Poetry Manuscript

Individual Consultation:
Send 20 pages (including sample, proposal, synopsis, or outline). Includes: Reading your materials, plus a one-hour consultation by phone or in person about your book's viability, ideas for publishers, proposal development, & manuscript direction. Fee: $150.

Read, Review, & Strategize: Option A
Send up to 100 pages (including entire manuscript, various drafts of chapters, outline notes, or synopsis), & we'll get into the details with you. Includes: Reading your materials, plus a one-hour or more consultation by phone or in person about ideas & strategies for revision, general narrative & thematic arc, character development, & style. Fee: $195

Read, Review, & Strategize: Option B
Send 100-200 pages (including entire manuscript, various drafts of chapters, outline notes, or synopsis), & we'll get into the details with you. Includes: Reading your materials, plus a one-hour or more consultation by phone or in person about ideas & strategies for revision, general narrative & thematic arc, character development, & style. Fee: $295

The Attic Experience

"I have now taken two of John Morrison's prosody workshops and am so impressed. As an amateur and unpublished poet it's easy to feel intimidated and not worthy. But with John's support I see that's not the case. Improving one's craft is an ongoing journey for all of us writers, and it can be done. Not only can it be done, but it can be fun. John had great packets ready for us so the follow along was organized and energized. Class had a great tempo and we got work done along with stimulating discussions as well. Thanks so much to the Attic and John. I'll be taking more classes, in person and online."

Ursula McCabe

The Classic Book for Writers, Updated and Revised

EVERY WRITER HAS A THOUSAND FACES

"This book has been in print forever because what it offers works for people." — Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club

"Finally, an anti-bullsht book on creativity!"* — James Marcus, former editor of Harper's

"Does for the creative process what Strunk and White did for our approach to grammar and style. Indispensible." — Marjorie Sandor, National Jewish Book Award winner

"Buoyant...unorthodox...A provocative and anti-intuitive manual for making fresh art." — Kirkus Review

"Biespiel offers a number of best practices—not just for writing...but for living a creative life." — The Rumpus

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.