It’s a new year. And, honestly, a new world compared to five years ago. In 2024 it became very clear that it was time to shake some things up at Ninja Writers. After a lot of brainstorming and soulsearching–we’re so pleased to introduce you to some changes that we’re extremely excited about.
The old Ninja Writers Guild is going away. We’ve found that it was both too complex for a post-Covid world (one where folks aren’t stuck at home seeking out connection online) and too expensive for where our world is currently.
The new Guild is different. It focuses more on learning at your own pace. While there are opportunities for live meetings, they won’t be the focus. And they won’t be required in order to get the most from your time with us.
Essentially, we're combining the best parts of both the Club and Guild to bring you this new program that we hope fits your needs and meets you where you are as a writer.
Here’s what’s included
in the new Guild.
(Be sure to scroll down to the bottom for the best part!)
Our Library
We have a library of more than 80 courses and workshops that we offered in the original Ninja Writers Guild. They cover everything from fiction writing to editing to the business of being a writer.
This library is everything Ninja Writers knows about writing, editing, publishing, starting a writing business, and so much more.
Access to Deeper Learning
Once a quarter, we’ll give you access to the recordings of a higher-level workshop that wasn’t part of the Ninja Writers Guild. Most of these cost $500 when we offered them live.
Sunday Live Workshops
Every quarter we’ll drop two brand new courses into the Guild.
One focused on fiction writing and one will be part of our Mastermind–focusing on the business of being a writer. We’ll meet on Sundays for discussion and feedback.
Guest Speakers
Our plan is to arrange guest speakers at least twice a year. You’ll be invited to these calls.
Quarterly Informal Pop-up Workshop
Every quarter, during our off month (March, June, September, December) we’ll host an informal pop-up writing workshop on a specific topic. You'll be invited to join.
Book Club
This is our favorite!
Every month we read a novel–like writers. Then we get together and discuss that novel–again, like writers. We look at how the story is put together, the key plot points, what the writer did well, what we think they could have done better. This isn’t pleasure reading. This is artists studying the masters.
Most exciting? We sometimes have the author come in for a talk with us as well. A couple of weeks ago Gregory McGuire came to speak to us after we read Wicked for our December book!
Our (BRAND NEW) Writing Craft Book Club
In February we're starting a quarterly writing craft book club. We'll choose a craft book and read it together through out the course of three months - with live calls to discuss along the way.
In Febraury and March we're reading Diana Gabaldon's 'I Give You My Body (How I Write Sex Scenes)'.
A bold choice - we know. But if you write romance odds are you've thought more than once that you need to up the intimacy in your novel - and we aren't just talking about physical intimacy. Diana Gabaldon is the master and we're excited to dive into this one.
Quarterly Accountability Call
Once a quarter, in our off months (April, June, September, December), you’ll be invited to a live accountability coaching call.
Annual One-on-One Coaching
This one is only for annual Guild subscribers. You’ll be invited to get on a one-on-one coaching call to get personal guidance and mentoring.
What's happening in the Guild this Quarter?
Two New Courses
The first is a fiction course:
Understanding Sequences 3&4. This year, each of the four fiction courses will cover two of the eight sequences that make up a novel. Last quarter we did sequences 1 and 2 (which you'll have access to), and this quarter we moving on to sequences 3 and 4.
The course dropped on April 15th. You'll get a written lesson and we’ll meet for feedback and Q&A after you've had some time to work through the written lesson at 6pm EST on Tuesday, May 13th.
The second course is part of our Mastermind series:
How to Write a Blurb. If you plan on self-publishing, this is an essential marketing tool. It's what describes your book to the reader - and it's also a great place to stuff some keywords for places like Google.
It drops on Tuesday, April 22nd. We’ll meet for feedback and Q&A at 6pm EST on Tuesday, May 20th.
Craft Book Work-Through
Every quarter we’ll work through a writing craft book together. There will be assignments and we’ll do the work to implement what we learn.
This quarter, it’s 'Dear Writer: Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life' by Maggie Smith. It's a great collection of tips, tricks, and prompts to get your writing juices flowing.
For this program, we'll meet once a month at 6pm EST on the first Tuesday of the month.
Access to Deeper Learning
Every quarter, we’ll release access to the content of one larger course. These are courses that we taught live and that cost $500 or more to attend. All the worksheets and written notes.
This quarter’s Deeper Learning course is our Self-Editing Workshop. In it, you’ll learn a system I call Layered Editing. If you’ve finished writing a first draft, but you’re not sure what to do with it or now to make it better–you’ll love this.
You'll have access to this workshop through March.
Quarterly Informal Pop-up Workshop
In April (date to be determined), our pop-up workshop will be about adding sensory details in order to add intensity to your scenes. This stems from our craft book walkthrough.
Book Club
Our April book is Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.
Book club meets on the first Saturday of every month, to discuss the book from the month prior, at 8pm EST. We look at each book through writer’s eyes–paying attention to how the story is put together, what works for us, and what doesn’t.
Good stuff, right? Especially when you put it together with the other goodies that come with being a Guild member.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I'm unhappy with my purchase?
If you are unsatisfied with your bundle, reach out to us to see if your purchase is eligible for a refund. [email protected]
What happened to my previous Guild membership?
We're treating this new Guild as a fresh start. That means all previous Guild memberships have been discontinued.
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
I purchased a lifetime membership for the old Ninja Writers Guild. Do I get access to the new Guild?
Yes! Check your email - a note was sent out about this to you recently. Rest assured that you willcontinue to have access to the Ninja Writers Guild in whatever form it takes.
How do I know if the Guild is right for me?
The Guild is for you if:
- You’ve decided that this is the year you’re going to take your writing to the next level.
- You’re ready to join a kick-ass community of writers.
-
You want a mentor who really cares about helping you become a better writer.
Bundle Contents
Showcase courses, digital downloads and coaching in your Bundle.
