Polish & Submit Sprint

Showing your writing to people is nerve-wracking. It’s easy to put it off and find yourself saying:

  • I don’t know where to find good feedback
  • I don’t have anything ready
  • Maybe next time

If that has been you, now’s your moment.

I have 9 open spaces in the upcoming Critique Week, where you can submit a story of up to 7000 words and get constructive feedback from me and three other writers.

And to help you get a piece ready to show people, I’m running a brand-new challenge: a two-week Polish & Submit sprint, during which I’ll guide you through the process of revising your piece, AND invite you to co-working sessions so you have time on your calendar to actually do the work.

Registration is open now.

We start on Friday.

POLISH & SUBMIT SPRINT: what it includes

Over two weeks, we’ll take one story from “I can’t” to “I’m ready”:

  • Kickoff meeting (pick your story & make a plan you can stick to)
  • Sprint Kit (checklists, templates, and a plan so you’re never wondering “what do I do next?”)
  • 2x weekly coworking sessions (show up, write/revise together, leave with progress, with timezone-friendly options)
  • Mid-point clinic & hotseats (4–6 writers get direct help while everyone learns)
  • Final “Hit the Button” Party (submission day = celebration day)
  • Full participation in the Feb 2026 StoryADay Critique Week

Who this is for

This is for you if…

  • you’ve got a draft that’s almost a story and you keep circling it like a suspicious cat
  • you can write, but finishing and polishing is the step that makes you feel stabby
  • you want accountability that feels kind, but not fluffy
  • you want to feel that delicious, rare sensation of actually completing something

Who this is not for

If you truly don’t have even a couple of pockets of time over the next two weeks, skip it with my blessing. I may do this again.

(And if you do have pockets of time but you keep giving them to everyone else… I see you. I’ve been you. And this is why we’re doing the Sprint.)

You don’t need more inspiration.
You need a little structure, a little momentum… and a group of witnesses who will help you keep showing up.

Registration is open now

Keep writing,

Julie

SWAGr for January 2026

It’s that time again: time to make your commitments to your writing for the coming month. Join us!

Welcome to the Serious Writers’ Accountability Group!

Leave a comment telling us how you got on last month, and what you plan to do next month, then check back in on the first of each month, to see how everyone’s doing.

(It doesn’t have to be fiction. Feel free to use this group to push you in whatever creative direction you need.)

Did you live up to your commitment from last month? Don’t remember what you promised to do? Check out the comments from last month.

And don’t forget to celebrate with/encourage your fellow SWAGr-ers on their progress!

Download your SWAGr Tracking Sheet now, to keep track of your commitments this month

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Examples of Goals Set By SWAGr-ers in previous months

  • Finish first draft of story and write 3 articles for my school paper. – Courtney
  • Write on seven days this month – Clare
  • Extend my reading and to read with a ‘writers eye’- Wendy
  • write 10,000 words – Mary Lou

 So, what will you accomplish this month? Leave your comment below

(Next check-in, 1st of the month. Tell your friends!)

An AI Update for writers, 2025

AI is everywhere. What’s a writer to do?

Listen to the Audio

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Watch the video

Why is AI suddenly everywhere, right now and what should you be doing about it (and with it) as a creator?

Yesterday, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) caused an outcry when they seemed to allow some level of AI to be used in works nominated for their Nebula Awards. Two hours later, after an outcry from the writing community they backtracked and clarified that such works would NOT be eligible.

It’s an example of how fast-moving and thorny an issue AI policies are for writers, creatives, and the organizations and businesses that work with them: where should you stand, given the theft of intellectual property and the environmental impact of data centers, AND the reality that AI tools here now?

In this episode I share my perspective as someone who has been in the publishing world for 30 years and who has been watching the development of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Claude, for over three years.

I’ve been ‘behind the curtain’ of some of the early implementors in business, and I’ve followed the reactions of writers and the publishing industry, extremely closely.

Tune in to this bonus episode of StoryADay’s I, WRITER podcast, to gain some perspective on the state of AI, and some encouragement and practical tools for how to stay informed while staying productive.

Resources & Next Steps:

Build your writing practice with the Handbook : https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook

Join the Superstars Group: Join the StoryADay Superstars for year-round support

Take the 3-Day Challenge

How a “No Thanks” Got Me Writing Again – Podcast

No, really?

Listen to the Audio

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Watch the video

A story got accepted… and another came back not accepted — and I’m weirdly thrilled. Here’s why embracing rejection can strengthen your consistent writing habits,

PLUS: a holiday writing prompt to keep you writing in December.

Links:

StoryADay Podcast episode 109: https://storyaday.org/episode109

The 3-Day Challenge: https://storyaday.org/3dc

Transcript

Resources & Next Steps:

Build your writing practice with the Handbook : https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook

Join the Superstars Group: Join the StoryADay Superstars for year-round support

Take the 3-Day Challenge

What if Your Writing Could Help Somebody?

No, really?

Listen to the Audio

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Watch the video

This week I’m sharing a surprising example of how writing (and writers) can help people in the real world, inspired by a project announced by Brandon Sanderson. It leads to one clear lesson about what it actually takes to build a sustainable writing life — especially if you want to write consistently, keep your momentum, and grow beyond the “solitary writer” myth.

Plus: a quick writing prompt about conflict you can use right away.

Transcript

Resources & Next Steps:

Build your writing practice with the Handbook : https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook

Join the Superstars Group: Join the StoryADay Superstars for year-round support

Take the 3-Day Challenge

The Work Is the Point: Refining Your Writing Life for the Long Haul

No prizes without practice!

Listen to the Audio

Watch now

Watch the video

A short meditation on why sustainable writing comes from small, repeatable choices. We touch on Coetzee, Tom Stoppard, and the quiet ways stories ripple outward—then land on the core: build the habit, revise bravely, and let the work be enough.

Transcript

Resources & Next Steps:

Build your writing practice with the Handbook : https://storyaday.org/challenge-handbook

Join the Superstars Group: Join the StoryADay Superstars for year-round support

Take the 3-Day Challenge