Get writing!

Next Step Writers Group

Moderated by Science-Fiction Writer and Instructional Designer, Julia P. Rajagopalan

And sponsored by Fellowship of the Pen, part of Barany School of Fiction, hosted by Beth Barany

Transform your writing journey!

Workshop-based feedback from peers

Members get constructive critiques on their writing pieces up to 6,000 words, with two stories workshopped each session.

Regular structured writing and editing practice

Meets twice monthly for 4 months, helping writers maintain a consistent writing and editing schedule.

Publication-focused community

Designed specifically for genre and literary writers who are preparing their work for submission to journals and agents, or self-publishing.

All the details

The Next Step Writer’s group is a writing group designed for writers who are ready to take the next step in their writing careers.

This group is for writers who already have, or are ready to, develop a regular writing practice with the goal of getting published.

We are looking for people truly committed to their writing and their writing practice and who are ready to workshop their work to prepare it for the next step.

Ideally, writers will have pieces already written, edited, and ready for colleagues to critique for submission to journals and agents. Pieces like: flash fiction, short stories, novellas, and novels.

Writers need to make time outside of meetings to devote to writing, editing, and reading their own and their colleagues’ work.

The Next Step Writer’s group is available for the Fellowship of the Pen community (a part of Barany School of Fiction, run by Beth Barany) and to the greater writing community at a nominal fee.

We are running the Fall 2025 session (September - December. 2025). See the dates below.

Investment: $250 for the 4 months (2 sessions per month)

Ready to join?

First: Apply. (Details below.)

Second: Pay. We'll send you the payment link upon acceptance. You can choose to pay in 1 payment or 4 monthly installments.

What you get:

You get feedback from the instructor each session.
You get to learn by doing by critiquing others work. Offering critique teaches you so much about your own craft.
It's not a lecture. It's a hands-on workshop for committed fiction writers.
It's an affordable way to get professional feedback in community.

Our Intent: Help you make your manuscript from draft to submission-ready with expert guidance and peer feedback.

Logistics

The Fall 2025 Session of the Next Step Writer’s Group will meet twice a month for four months, starting Sept. 8, 2025.

Each session will be 1.5 hours long and meet on Zoom.

Dates for Fall 2025 session (90 minutes)

Monday, September 8th, 7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific

Monday, September 22nd, 7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific

Monday, October 6th, 7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific

Monday, October 20th, 7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific

Monday, November 5th, 7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific

Monday, November 19th, 7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific

Monday, December 1st 7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific

Monday, December 15th, 7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific

Who this program is for

We want to make sure you're in the right place so we don't waste anyone's precious time and energy!

Genre and Literary Fiction Writers

Yes to science fiction, fantasy, and all kinds of speculative fiction. We love romance and mystery. Good writing comes in all shapes, sizes, and most importantly, genres. We focus on craft and story, no matter what type of fiction you write.

Dedicated and Committed

We're looking for individuals who are passionate about growing their craft and advancing their writing career.

You read a lot and write a lot because words and storytelling are your life.

Uplifting and Constructive

Rising tide lifts all boats. We help people become better writers by critiquing their work, not the writer.

If you're ready to improve your writing while giving and receiving encouragement, you’ve come to the right place.

Novelists and Short Story Writers

Long or short -- yes, please. Sorry no screenplays or poetry.

You believe writing can be taught and learned

Writing is a learned skill, and in the workshop, we’ll discuss topics of writing as well as the submission process and more.

No one is a hopeless case.

Persistence pays and is the name of the game. Keep writing!

Format: How we will work together during our sessions

The Next Step Writer’s Group is a workshop-based writing group where participants will sign up for their writing to be workshopped by the group twice monthly for 4 months, helping writers maintain a consistent writing and editing schedule.

WHat to submit

The submitted piece can be a chapter, short story, or excerpt of no more than 6,000 words.

when to submit

The writer will submit the story a week in advance for the readers to read, review, and critique.

what happens each session

Each week, we will critique two stories in a welcoming, constructive, discussion-based workshop.

Fall 2025 Application Process

** We will be accepting applications for the Fall 2025 Session of the Next Level Writing Group between August 11 - 22, 2025.

To apply, fill out the Google form and submit a writing sample of 3,000 words in standard submission format.
We will notify applicants by August 25th of their status. Because of the interactive nature of the group, we must cap the group at 12, but we may be running additional sessions next year.

Please only apply if…

Because we want to make sure we're all pulling in the same direction...

You’re available for all of the sessions. (You can miss just one session.)

You’re willing to revise and submit your work for critique.

You’re willing to read up to two pieces of 6,000 words each every two weeks and critique them.

You’re willing to critique other writers’ work in a constructive and considerate manner.

SHOW UP, do the work, AND LEARN.

Writers write alone, but edit together.

Click here to apply.

About the moderator

Julia P. Rajagopalan is a Writer and Instructional Designer out of Detroit, Michigan. She has a Master of Information Science from the University of Michigan. Her short story “Ancestor Worship” was featured in the recent anthology Write, Wrong, or Otherwise, and her piece “The Ghost Kitchen” appeared in the November 2024 issue of the online horror publication Flash Phantoms. Her science fiction short story “Banquet of the Future” will be a part of NUNUM’s 2025 Sci-Fi anthology Opolis.

Julia is devoted to helping writers around her grow. She loves assisting aspiring authors in exploring their stories and developing their unique voices. Her goal is to create an inclusive environment where all people can share their creativity and improve their writing.

Your dream can become your reality. Start today.

Questions?

You need something different, like editing or how to find your readers and launch your science fiction or fantasy novel? Then contact Beth Barany to talk about our customizable programs to fit your needs.