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DIY MFA 101

Many people say they want to write a book.
Very few actually do it.

You don’t need a degree in order to write your book and get it published. You don’t need an idea that’s going to be the next “Harry Potter.” And you definitely don’t need to quit your day job, put your life on hold, run away to a log cabin, and immerse yourself in crafting the next great American novel.

What you need is to stop dreaming and start writing.

DIY MFA 101 gives you the structure and insider knowledge you’d get with a traditional MFA, but without the time commitment or the hefty price tag. This is a graduate-style education you can fit around your life.

Here at DIY MFA, we get that everybody is different. That’s why this isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. Instead, we give you the tools to create a personalized writing practice, and because it’s specific to your needs, the results will be sustainable long after the course has finished. DIY MFA 101 helps you become the best writer you can be so you can publish that book you’ve always dreamed of writing.

Why DIY MFA?

Meet the teacher, Gabriela Pereira — instigator of DIY MFA.

Gabriela helps writers get their words on the page and their stories out into the world.

While sitting at graduation for her traditional MFA, she came to a realization: “this was great, but I could have learned most of it on my own.”

She also thought about all those writers who were serious about their craft but couldn’t get an MFA. Who was helping them? That’s when she decided to create a do-it-yourself MFA-style program: one that could help busy writers get the knowledge they needed, but in a way that fit their schedule. She went home, brainstormed a curriculum, and in a few short hours, DIY MFA was born.

The DIY MFA model incorporates all the best elements of a traditional MFA—things Gabriela learned from the inside—including the study of craft and literature, with a strong focus on peer critique. It also fills gaps that many MFA programs have by including resources and information about publishing and the business of writing.

DIY MFA 101 will help you get that graduate-level experience without going to school. Rather than putting your life on hold for two or three years and accruing a huge amount of student debt, you can learn to recreate the MFA experience for yourself, and seamlessly incorporate it into your life.

In this class, we can connect you with fellow writers, but we also offer so much more. In addition to helping you build momentum around your writing practice, we also teach you concrete techniques that you can learn quickly.

At DIY MFA, we firmly believe in empowering writers so that they can learn and grow on their own. The goal is to give you the tools so that you can take your writing education into your own hands and become the best writer you can be.

 

Course Materials

This 10-week program includes ten modules, full-to-the-brim with material to help you write more, write better, write smarter. Watch this video for a more detailed breakdown of the material.

You’ll also be able to participate in three discussion calls with Gabriela so you can connect with other writers in the class and get your questions answered. As a bonus, you will also have access to our course-only Facebook group, so you can continue the conversation beyond the live calls.

Here’s what you’ll get in the 10 weeks:

  • 10 modules of material, each based on one of the essential components of a writer’s education.
  • Comprehensive video lessons, with audio recordings, slides, and transcripts so you can digest the material in the way that’s best for you.
  • Worksheets with each lesson, so you can absorb and understand what you learned.
  • Membership to a private course website so you can access all the materials anytime, anywhere.
  • Three group discussion calls, so you can ask questions and connect with other writers in the course.
  • BONUS: a private Facebook group, so you can continue the discussion outside of class time.

Enroll in the course now and receive continuing access to all the course materials.

Iteration is a huge part of our development process. That’s why each time we run the class, the materials will evolve and we’ll incorporate new features based on feedback from previous runs to keep things as up-to-the-minute as possible.

But we don’t want to penalize you, an intrepid writer taking an earlier version of the class. Instead, we want to reward you so we’re offering an incredible bonus. If you join now, you will receive continued access to all materials for as long as this course is offered. This means that not only will you be able to take the course again free of charge, but you’ll have full access to any subsequent updates.


 DIY MFA 101 Includes…

The DIY MFA 101 Online Course

Ten weeks of online lessons, full-to-the-brim with juicy instruction so you can write more, write better, and write smarter. Each weekly module includes video lessons, audio recordings, slides, and worksheets, so you can absorb the material in the way that’s best for you.

Group Discussion Calls

Gabriela takes on only a small number of mentoring clients each year, so this is an opportunity to ask her questions about the craft, literature, publishing, or anything else relating to the work and business of writing. But the group discussion calls aren’t just a way for you to ask questions and get input directly from Gabriela; they’re also a chance for you to connect with fellow word nerds in the class.

Bonus: Continued Access

In addition to comprehensive course materials you will also get continued access to the program, plus any updates for the lifetime of the course. This way, you can come back and review it again and again.

Bonus: A Private Facebook Group for 101 Students Only

This Facebook group is networking gold! Not only will you be able to interact with other writers in your current 101 class, but you’ll also be able to connect with a network of alums who have taken the class in the past. Many friendships and collaborations have started because writers connected in this group.

Sign up below to get on the waiting list.