The YEAr of the Novel
Everything you need to write your book,
close at hand for the whole year
Everything you need to write your book – close at hand for the whole year
The aim of this membership: every barrier between you and finishing has a solution waiting for you here.
Expert craft training from Daniel and his team of genre specialists, interactive planners and frameworks for instant plot fixes, AI tools that you won't feel icky using, and personal guidance from Daniel.
Plus the camaraderie and support from 99 other fans of Character First Teaching.
Join The Year of the Novel for $1,734 (100 seats total)
January 2026 to December 2026. One annual payment now; no subscription or automatic
renewal. Decide next Black Friday if you want to re-join for year two.
For the first time, you’re never alone AND never waiting for help.
If you’re reading this, you probably already like my teaching.
You’ve heard me talk about Character First Writing before. And I’m guessing you already have tried out a lot of craft books and read a lot of emails from craft teachers.
However, if you anything like the other writers I speak to, you still don’t feel completely satisfied
with your writing.
You want to get the book finished. You want to improve your skills. You want a readership. And
maybe it would be nice to have a little more support and encouragement along the way.
You’re ready for the next step: turn 2026 into the year of the novel.
Let me help you.
Join The Year of the Novel for $1,734 (100 seats total)
The truth about “just keep writing”
Often people say that you should “just keep writing.” Keep your backside in the chair. Write
bravely.
And I think that’s all good advice. You do have to keep writing! You should write bravely!
But here’s the problem: if it were that simple, you would have done it by now.
Many of the writers I talk to have been working for years on the same book. I know talented, experienced authors who have spent a long season unsure what part of their draft to revise.
This is not about rushing (art can take as long as it takes) but in these cases, the project seems to forever stay at around the same stage of doneness or success level.
They keep getting stories done that they can’t wow readers with.
For many of us, as we attempt to “just keep writing,” the questions just keep multiplying. You feel
like the story wanders off course in the middle. You lose momentum because life (the leaky sink,
that vet appointment) keeps happening. Or you sense something is wrong with how you’re
approaching your story but your writing partner takes weeks to read the chapter you sent (they are a lovely person, just busy, too).
Most novel projects don’t fail because the writer lacks talent or knowledge.
They fail because the writer faces these barriers alone.
I’m creating a space for you where you can get the advice, support, and practical training that your writing deserves every day, every week, and every month of the year.
Join The Year of the Novel for $1,734 (100 seats total)
January 2026 to December 2026. One annual payment now; no subscription or automatic
renewal.
Decide next Black Friday if you want to re-join for year two.
Here’s the plan
Imagine a year where every barrier to your writing has a solution already waiting for you.
Or: imagine a year where you don’t have to keep saying “I have to just get this done.” “I hope I can stay motivated.” “I’ll better that out later.”
Actual solutions, already in place, close at hand.
When you get stuck at 2am → interactive tools suggest fixes instantly
When you need to enhance a skill → Expert workshops led by genre specialists break it down
step-by-step
When you lose momentum → Your small writing club checks in with you
When you’re ready to draft → You have proven techniques to get words flowing fast
When your draft is done → You can see what’s not working (and how to fix it)
When you’re ready for publishing → The roadmap is already there
This is what happens when you remove every barrier between you and your finished novel.
Because everything else - the teaching, the tools, the support, the rhythm, the next steps - is waiting for you here.
This is The Year of the Novel.
This is like a community, but we aren’t dropping you into a 100-person forum and expecting you
to start swimming.
Instead, we’ll connect you to 7–9 other likeminded writers to form your personal writing club, full of encouragement and support.
This is like a membership, but you aren’t going to be surprised by subscription or renewal fees
(you decide next Black Friday if you want to return).
This is like having a software suite of writing tools (all designed to share my character-first
methodology).
This is like joining a college course or artists' colony with regular classes and co-writing sessions.
Plus you get a paid pass to my three annual summits (value $127) and an annual membership to my reading club ($99) included in your membership.
If you join on Black Friday, your membership will run January 1 to December 31, 2026, then will
end automatically.
This first cohort of “The Year of the Novel” will be capped at 100 writers, total, and it won’t open
again to my general mailing list until later in 2026.
Join The Year of the Novel for $1,734 (100 seats total)
YOUR FIRST MONTH - Quick Wins
What happens when we get started?
January is our quick win month.
Week 1–2: Story Planner Workshop
- Map your book (or diagnose what you already have) with our interactive story planner
Win: “I can see my whole book clearly”
Week 1–2: AI Tools Onboarding
- Live guided session on using each diagnostic tool
- Run your first diagnostic on your premise or a scene
Win: “I got instant expert feedback on my specific problem.”
Week 2–3: Writing Club assignments
- Tell us about your writing, time zone, and goals
- You’ll join a small group of likeminded writers for accountability and support
Win: “I have my team!”
Week 2–3: Orc Writing Sessions
- Generate new material, explore revisions, test scenes
- Works whether you’re drafting or revising
Win: “I wrote 2,000 words I didn’t know I had.”
Week 3–4: Traditional Publishing Primer
- Understand the industry landscape (taught by Fellow)
- Useful at any stage of your book
Win: “I know what I’m working toward.”
Week 4: Revision Essentials
- Core revision principles from me
- Even drafters benefit from knowing where they’re headed
Win: “I know how to make my draft stronger.”
By February, you know the systems, you have momentum, and you’re ready for your year!
Your writing ecosystem
SYSTEM 1: Expert Teaching on What Matters Most
Curated workshops throughout the year
You have tried out my teaching in the past. Now let’s spend a year diving deep on the core
techniques, the “wow they’re good” skills, the writing moves that will delight readers and impress
editors.
My Core Character-First Lessons (taught by myself and trained Character First Fellows):
• Master “Doubling Up” - my anti-revision prose improvement method
• POV Primer - hone your skills at narration and perspective
• Character-First Early Chapters - start your stories with meaningful tension
and more!
Fellow Specialty Classes:
Our team of genre specialists will guide you through their areas of craft expertise
• Romance writing techniques
• Time management for long projects
• Traditional publishing roadmap
SYSTEM 2: Your Personal Writing Club + Accountability
The structure that keeps you moving (without painful self-discipline)
It’s so hard to keep writing in today’s busy, often exhausting world that writers invent all kinds of
extreme and borderline-dangerous self-disciplining hacks.
“Yes, it’s freezing outside, but I’ll only turn on the heating once I’ve written 1,000 words.” (this is
an example, don’t actually do this)
Now, while this membership doesn’t have a magic wand, and we can’t train your puppy for you
or run that errand (at least, not in this opening first cohort) we do have a lot of healthier techniques for motivating your writing life — for the whole year.
So you can probably eat the “reward chocolate.” You can maybe tell your spouse to stop hiding your
phone for you.
Here’s how we plan to help.
Your own 8–10 person Writing Club
Here’s what we won’t do: throw you into a 100-person forum and hope you figure it out. At the start of the year, we’ll assign you, based on your genre, time zone, and goals, to a small group of likeminded writers.
Your club will have its own private space within the community for you to share wins, decide on accountability targets (maybe you do decide to keep that reward
chocolate system going), and ask writing-life questions.
This meant to be a “cheering you on” space and low-lift, zero stress community. It isn’t a workshop or a peer-coaching experience, and you can all meet on Zoom each month or purely have written weekly check-ins.
One of the trained Fellows will oversee the groups and help you get organised. One member of each club will serve as facilitator for two months of the year.
The point is: I’m hoping the 100-person community becomes a thriving hub for your online life.
But that’s not what you need to worry about. In The Year of the Novel, there’s no performing for
strangers. No posts disappearing into the void.
Instead you get to know your small club really well: they’ll notice when you go quiet and celebrate when you finish a chapter.
PS What happens if you don’t like your group? We can reassign you or figure out something different. This isn’t an obligation, but we suspect it might become the highlight of your writing year.
Regular “Orc Writing” sessions
“Orc Writing” is my smash-hit drafting method. Many people come into an orc writing session
skeptical and come out evangelists.
We’re not doing sprints and we’re not punishing ourselves.
Your typing fingers should not be hurting at the end of a session, and yet you’ll find yourself making rapid progress through your novel. The goal is to free you to roam all over your imagined story and write out those scenes you’ve always wanted to reach.
Weekly low stress book club
Train your reader’s eye with my long-running, “don’t even need to read the book” book club. We
only progress 40-pages forwards each week, so it’s easy to keep up and learn from my craft analyses.
All 3 annual summits included
You’re already invited, with your own paid pass, to three of the best writing events of the year.
SYSTEM 3: Instant Help When You’re Stuck
24/7 AI Diagnostic Tools
This is not your generic ChatGPT, nor a mystery box with wise-sounding answers that you
have no way of checking or assessing. And there’s no risk of getting into bad artistic habits
(having the AI draft sentences and paragraphs for you).
These are tools built with my Character First methodology, trained on the frameworks you
already know, diagnosing YOUR specific problems (and they are able to explain where they got
their ideas from).
Ignore them or use them every day: I won’t mind. But my experience, when authors try these
tools out, they love them.
Note: many of my courses now include Chat GPT-powered chat bots. The AI tools within “The
Year of the Novel” will be distinct and in some ways, more advanced, helping you solve very
specific writing problems.
These tools include:
• exposition handler: figure out where to put that early exposition / info dump
• ending pacer: make sure your planned ending delivers
• interior scene builder: learn where to put character reactions and reflections
The suite also includes the “Story Planner,” a more advanced and substantial interactive tool
that is usable by human coaches as well as AI chatbots.
You’re stuck. You dictate or type in your question. You get character-first diagnostic
feedback in 60 seconds.
No appointment needed. No “let me get back to you next week.”
Human coaching would be better, I’m sure. And it would cost you $200–300/hour (well worth the
price, by the way). But sometimes you just need a quick response, a cunning proposal, a quick “are
you sure about that?”
This interactive suite never gets grumpy about you asking too many questions. Unlimited
access. 24/7. For the whole year.
Join The Year of the Novel for $1,734 (100 seats total)
YOUR MILESTONE REVIEW
I feel bad saying this, but I know it’s true: in some memberships, the last time you talk to the hosts is the moment before you buy.
Everyone is really interested in your goals and problems until you type in your credit card details. After that, you’re on your own.
That’s not going to happen here.
In March, we’re going to send individual feedback and advice to every single member of The
Year of the Novel. Yes, all 100 writers, one by one.
All you have to do is send in a progress statement, your key questions, and what your biggest
challenge is. Myself or a member of the coaching team will record a video for you with our most
valuable tips, outlining an action plan for the next 30 days.
If you’re already thriving? You’ll get our congratulations and a few fresh ideas.
Unable to decide between options? This will help you get back on track.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This is for you if:
• You’re starting a new draft
• You’re mid-draft and stuck
• You’re revising and need structure
• You’re replanning after a stall
• You’re juggling multiple projects
• You’re researching publishing while writing
• You’re anywhere in the messy middle
This is NOT:
• “You must start your book on January 1st”
• Only for beginners
• Dependent on writing a specific number of words a week
• Requiring active community participation (quiet people are welcome)
This IS:
• Your book getting complete support for a full year, wherever you are now
• Expert teaching when you need to learn
• Instant help when you’re stuck
• Rhythm and accountability when motivation fades
• A clear path from here to publishing
WHAT YOU GET
Foundation Month (January):
• Story Planner Workshop + AI Tools Onboarding
• Orc Writing Sessions (generate 2,000+ words without strain)
• Traditional Publishing Primer
• Revision Essentials
Year-Long Support (February - December):
• Your Small Group Mastermind - 8–10 writers matched by goals, timezone, and stage
• 24 Live Orc Writing Sessions - Twice-monthly guided sessions (writing accountability: $200–
400/month)
• 10–12 Expert Workshops - Character-First deep dives + Fellow specialty classes
• Unlimited AI Diagnostic Tools - 24/7 Character First coaching at coaching.com (traditional
coaching: $200–300/hour)
• Monthly Book Club with me - Train your reader’s eye on published novels
Your Personal Attention (March):
• Diagnostic Check-In - Video review from Fellow, 3 pressure points, action plan (manuscript
consultations: $300–500)
• Selected submissions receive additional Daniel review
Included Events:
• All 3 Annual Summits + Archives (individual pass: $147)
• 12 core curriculum lessons (permanent access)
• Alumni meetings (monthly, ongoing)
• Your diagnostic history and saved work
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE YEAR?
Your membership ends automatically. No surprise charges. No auto-renewal. No awkward
email to ask to cancel.
But you don’t lose everything. Here’s what continues:
• 12 Core Curriculum Lessons - Permanent access in your account.
• Your Small Group Connections - Exchange contact info, keep meeting independently if you want.
• All Your Work - Story Planner, diagnostic history, notes, everything you created.
• Alumni Status - you’re part of the Character First community permanently.
What Continues (Free):
• Future Alumni Meetings - Ongoing, optional, open to all past members
These continue at no charge as long as The Year of the Novel is running.
What Happens to Your Small Group:
Your group is yours.
Your group may decide to exchange contact info and continue meeting independently — and we’ll celebrate that.
Next Black Friday, we’ll invite to stay in the membership and re-enroll together for another year because:
• The structure keeps you focused
• You get a reduced alumni rate
• The Fellow support is there when you need it
• New members join and bring fresh energy
• You get access to new curriculum and workshops
It’s your choice. We’ll check in with your group in November to see what you want to do.
One year. One payment. Everything you need to finish your book.
January 2026 to December 2026. One annual payment now; no subscription or automatic
renewal. Decide next Black Friday if you want to re-join for year two.
If You Want to Continue:
Option 1: Alumni Renewal (reduced rate)
• Everything in Year of the Novel at a reduced rate
• Your existing small group can stay together
• Access to new curriculum and workshops
• Unlimited AI tools continue
Option 2: Graduate to Coaching ($2,000–2,500)
• Novel Development Plus for 1-on-1 strategic coaching
• Written a draft? Maybe I can help get it to the next level
Option 3: Take a Break
• Step away, no pressure
• Alumni meetings continue free
• Return whenever you’re ready for another year
The Reality:
You’ve got a lot of options for your writing life. Towards the end of 2026, I’m going to make the best case I can for remaining for year two of The Year of the Novel.
You can decide what makes sense for you.
Some members finish their book and don’t need another year.
Some love their group and renew immediately.
Some take a year off and come back later.
All of these are wins.
The goal isn’t to keep you subscribed forever.
The goal is to give you the support you need to finish your book.
If you do that in one year, we succeeded.
If you need another year, we’re here.
After all, there’s always the sequel.
Meet Daniel
I'm Daniel David Wallace, an award-winning writer and teacher. I spent four years of a PhD researching new ways to help writers like you tell a great story.
My stories, reviews, and essays have been published in great magazines like Tampa Review, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Air Schooner, and my writing won me awards like the Toni Brown scholarship and the Hodges prizes.
But when I sent my first novel to the big publishing houses, it was rejected. This was a tough experience! And so I designed a way of teaching storytelling that the younger me would have wanted to find, the "character-first" approach.
I'm grateful that this approach has resonated with so many people: 14,000 writers read my newsletter each week and every year I host three conferences on the craft of writing.
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Elizabeth R. Alix
Author of Maple Hill Chronicles
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Mystery Writer
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Urban Fantasy Writer
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