Arpege Circle Books
Writers Cohort
“Writing gives you the ability to say what’s been stored up in you for so long, and the freedom to do so. ”
Give your words life. Give your manuscript form.
JANUARY–MAY 2027 · VIRTUAL
Applications close on November 5, 2026.
Presented by Arpege Circle Books in partnership with Transform Network.
About The Cohort
Writing a manuscript requires more than accumulating pages. It asks for attention to voice, structure, rhythm, revision, and the relationship between each piece and the whole.
Throughout the cohort, writers will engage in a rigorous and generative process designed to help them develop their work with greater clarity, intention, and possibility.
THE COHORT
Writing a manuscript requires more than accumulating pages. It asks for attention to voice, structure, rhythm, revision, and the relationship between each piece and the whole.
Throughout the cohort, writers will engage in a rigorous and generative process designed to help them develop their work with greater clarity, intention, and possibility.
What The Cohort Offers
Writing a manuscript requires more than accumulating pages. It asks for attention to voice, structure, rhythm, revision, and the relationship between each piece and the whole.
Throughout the cohort, writers will engage in a rigorous and generative process designed to help them develop their work with greater clarity, intention, and possibility.
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Deepen your attention to voice, language, structure, character, narrative, rhythm, and the particular demands of your genre.
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Begin seeing individual poems, chapters, essays, sermons, or stories as part of a larger body of work.
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Receive thoughtful feedback designed to help you understand what the work is doing, where it is growing, and what it may still be asking of you.
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Return to the page with new questions, sharper attention, and the courage to make meaningful choices about the work.
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Write alongside people committed to the practice of writing and to witnessing one another's work with care.
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Develop a stronger understanding of manuscript preparation, publishing, and what may come after the writing is complete.
LED BY REV. DR. YVETTE BLAIR-LAVALLAIS
Award-winning writer · Former journalist · Published author · Academic researcher · Professor · Book doula · Manuscript midwife
Rev. Dr. Yvette R. Blair-Lavallais has spent her career working with words—and helping writers bring theirs into the world.
An award-winning writer, former journalist, published author, academic researcher, professor, book doula, and manuscript midwife, she has helped writers bring more than 100 books into the marketplace.
She is a former creative writing instructor and an alumna of national writing workshops, including the Hurston/Wright Foundation Writers Week.
Dr. Blair-Lavallais brings the sensibilities of writer, teacher, editor, and literary midwife into the cohort. Her approach invites writers to listen for both the architecture and the music of their work: what the manuscript says, how it sounds, what it remembers, and what becomes possible when a writer stays with the work long enough to hear what it is becoming.
FAQs
Do I need to have a completed manuscript?
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No. Writers may enter the cohort at different stages of manuscript development. Applicants should, however, have a clear writing project they are prepared to develop throughout the cohort.
What genres are accepted?
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The cohort welcomes poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction, essays, sermons, memoirs, and children's books.
How often does the cohort meet?
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The cohort runs from January through May 2027 and meets virtually twice each month for two-hour gatherings.
In addition, every participant may receive up to one hour of individual manuscript support with Rev. Dr. Yvette R. Blair-Lavallais each month.
Does participation guarantee publication with Arpege Circle Books?
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No. Cohort participants will have an opportunity to submit their completed manuscripts to Arpege Circle Books for publication consideration. Participation does not guarantee a publishing agreement.
What is the cohort investment?
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The total investment is $2,250, paid in three nonrefundable installments of $750. The first payment is due December 15, 2026, to secure your place following acceptance.
READY TO APPLY?
The application gives us an opportunity to learn about you, your writing, and the manuscript you want to develop.
Applicants should be prepared to submit a 10–15 page writing sample from the manuscript they intend to workshop and answer questions about their writing journey, goals, availability, and experience giving and receiving feedback.
You may also share a website, portfolio, or relevant social-media presence.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
November 5, 2026
Applications close
December 1, 2026
Applicants receive decisions
December 15, 2026
Selected writers secure their place in the cohort
Every application will be read with care and respect.
Need More Information?
Questions about the cohort?
arpege@transformnetwork.org
Arpege Circle Books Writers Cohort is presented in partnership with Transform Network.