*or otherwise make significant progress on

September 2026

:::get your book in shape this fall:::

Finish Your Fucking Book Boot Camp is a twelve-week program that is all about motivating you to write more, helping you create sustainable ways to continue writing, and providing a community and guidance for the process and its outcomes.

Have you begun writing a book and gotten stuck? Do you need a little push to get you started? If you’re excited about your characters, your project, and you want to write but your momentum has flagged, let us help! It may feel nearly impossible to make writing a priority, but like any other exercise, getting started is the hardest part, and the support of a community yields better success rates. Don’t do it alone! Let this boot camp jump-start your writing and help you make real progress on your book this fall.

12 weeks of goals, Zooms with the group; individual phone calls with me; “buddy” check-ins; tips-and-tricks emails, and Zoom group writing sessions.

This program will inspire you and reignite your purpose in your book! We will also build confidence and community, hold you accountable, solidify a sustainable process, and help you make significant progress on your project. There is no content feedback or traditional workshopping involved (unless you would like to add it).

I signed up for Melanie’s boot camp after 6 months of avoiding my work-in-progress. The motivating emails, weekly check-ins, and detailed feedback helped me write over 100 pages. I left the boot camp not only a better writer, but a better storyteller, too. Melanie believed that I could write a book before I really believed it. Thanks to her, I’m this much closer to finishing my fucking book. –Jessica Parra, author of RUBI RAMOS’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS and THE QUINCE PROJECT

 

What You Get:

A Kick in the Pants

Achievable Goals:

You will decide what you want your goal to be—a certain word or page count, a dedication to writing on particular days each week, and/or a specific amount of time, finishing a set of scenes or chapters, some specific amount of revision, or yes, a completed draft, or any other milestone you are trying to reach. We’ll get this nailed down week one, you’ll sign a contract, and then you’ll be set for a productive three months.

Rewards:

Who doesn’t need a little incentive? On week one, you will choose a “delightful little reward” (to quote a previous participant) to give yourself each week you meet your goal. This can be anything you love, anything that will help you celebrate reaching each milestone. And you have to accept it!

Your bonus reward will be a gift from me: for each week you hit your goal, you will receive 10 minutes of my time. That means if you meet your goal all twelve weeks you’ll have earned two hours of time with me (a $180 value) by the end of the summer, to be used for “writing therapy,” feedback on written pages, story consultation, query letter critique, general advice, pep talks, and/or anything else you feel would be beneficial.

Community for Cheerleading and Commiserating

Accountability Meetings:

Twice monthly Zoom meetings with your fellow “campers” where we will check in on your goals and progress, discuss all aspects of writing—plot, character, stakes, structure, pacing, etc., as well as the just-as-important emotional and psychological elements like self-doubt, decision paralysis, maintaining momentum, getting blocked, and whatever else comes up during our meetings. Everyone will get a chance to present their issues to the group for commiseration, encouragement, and potential solutions. This community of like-minded folks will help you figure out your best processes, and hold you accountable to your goals with understanding and support.

A Buddy System:

I will set you up with a “buddy” from within the cohort. You and the buddy will check in on each other at least twice a week (we’ll start with email but many buddies will move to text or phone), help each other brainstorm and make decisions, vent to each other, and bask in each other’s triumphs. Having someone you know is there to support and encourage you whenever you need it is invaluable.

Zoom Writing Sessions:

Twice per month we’ll schedule Zoom writing sessions for anyone who wants to participate. These will be an open hour where you can write with your camera on or off, with the energy and concentration of the group to level up your writing time.

Craft Lessons and Coaching Sessions

One-on-One Consultations:

Included each month is a half-hour phone session with me. This can be used to chat about ideas or direction or specific plot point help, have me read pages and offer feedback, talk out general writing woes, give encouraging pep talks, or any combination of the above. Your time, your choice. I’ll be there to critique, guide, encourage, or simply listen.

Tips, Tricks, and Prompts:

Each Friday you will receive an email from me with at least one prompt to get you going if you’re not sure where to start, some nice encouragement, and a little kick in the butt. You’ll get tips and tricks that address craft elements as well as the emotional and psychological aspects of writing, because the block is not always just on the page, but in your head, too. I’ll also offer ideas for maintaining your writing through the long-haul and steps to figure out the processes most sustainable for you.

*These twelve weeks will be geared toward drafting and/or revising book-length fiction and creative non-fiction projects, but all genres are welcome.

*Zoom sessions will be scheduled with the group majority’s preference, but we will do our best to make attendance possible for everyone. Recordings can be provided.

I have an MFA in writing and have been doing writers’ groups and workshops for years. Melanie is, hands down, one of the smartest and most insightful instructors I’ve ever had. Melanie has a keen eye for story and always comes up with helpful suggestions for honing in on what’s working in your manuscript and fixing what’s not. She definitely works with you on the big picture in terms of structure, character, plot, and pacing but also delves into subtext, creating layers of meaning, and style. She enjoys different genres and, unlike many instructors, never tries to steer your project in a direction that you don’t want to go. Kind, constructive and insightful, Melanie is an instructor who can help you make your book the best it can be. Anyone would be lucky to have the chance to work with her. –Lennox W.

Read more about what people say after working with me.

 

For Questions, comments, or to sign up:

Email me at Melanie.Thorne@ymail.com, or fill out the form below. I look forward to hearing from you!