The Fiction Apprenticeship is a one-on-one mentorship program where we help you write, edit, and publish your first novel. With hands-on support at every stage, you’ll complete your manuscript—and when it’s ready, WestSky will publish your book for you.
Whether you’re a high school student, a retiree, or somewhere in between, this program gives you real experience writing a book. You’ll learn the skills to craft any story and, if you choose, build a career as an author.
Your Journey Begins Here!
The Fiction Apprenticeship is more than a writing course—it’s a one-on-one mentorship that takes you from aspiring writer to published author with expert guidance, structured learning, and real-world results.
Program Highlights
- Never Get Stuck: 16 private coaching sessions (in person or online
- Write with Clarity: A structured framework to take your novel from start to finish
- Direct Access to Your Coach: Ongoing support while you write
- Complete Your First 30,000+ Word Novel: A major milestone in your writing career
- Professional Editing & Book Design: Polished, industry-standard quality
- Seamless Publishing: Complimentary formatting, design, and distribution through our Assisted Publishing service
- You Retain All Rights & Royalties: Your book, your ownership
Meet Your Guide: H.R. Gibson
H.R. Gibson is a versatile writer with experience in various genres, including historical fiction, fantasy, and contemporary literature. With over 20 books under her belt, many of which have ranked in the top 10 on Amazon in their categories, H.R. Gibson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program.
Her background in psychology, social work, and high-level teaching has given her astute insight into human nature, enriching her characters and enabling her to create captivating, relatable, and dynamic stories. H.R. Gibson’s unique perspective and expertise will guide you through the intricacies of storytelling and character development.
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Program Structure
Your training is fully customized to your writing pace and learning style. By the end of the program, you’ll have worked one-on-one with industry professionals to take your novel from concept to publication.
Over 16 weeks, you’ll explore:
- Manuscript analysis and development
- Character and world-building
- Plot structure and pacing
- Dialogue and theme development
- Editing and revision techniques
- Book design and self-publishing
Week 1: Manuscript Overview and Analysis
Introduce your existing manuscript and analyze its strengths and areas for improvement. You’ll review current characters, plot, and world-building elements.
Week 2: Character Development and Enhancement
Focus on deepening and refining your existing characters. Analyze character arcs and motivations, and develop detailed character profiles.
Week 3: Worldbuilding Refinement
Dive deeper into your story’s world and enhance its richness. Expand on geography, culture, and magic systems (if applicable).
Week 4: Plot Analysis and Restructuring
Evaluate your plot structure and make necessary adjustments. Outline main plot points and identify areas for improvement.
Week 5: Conflict and Tension Enhancement
Focus on increasing tension and conflict throughout your manuscript. Identify existing conflicts and opportunities to heighten tension.
Week 6: Dialogue Improvement
Enhance dialogue to better reflect character voice and advance the plot. Analyze and improve dialogue scenes for clarity and characterization.
Week 7: Subplot Integration
Learn to integrate subplots seamlessly into your narrative. Evaluate existing subplots and develop new ones as needed.
Week 8: Editing and Revision Techniques
Learn strategies for revising and polishing your manuscript. Practice self-editing and peer review techniques.
Week 9: Paragraph and Sentence Structure
Refine your writing style through effective paragraph and sentence structure. Focus on varying sentence structures and improving flow.
Week 10: Theme Development
Explore themes and motifs in your manuscript and enhance their presence. Identify existing themes and develop new ones.
Week 11: Pacing Adjustments
Learn techniques for controlling pacing to maintain reader engagement. Practice using suspense, foreshadowing, and cliffhangers effectively.
Week 12: Setting Descriptions
Enhance setting descriptions to create a vivid sense of place. Practice writing detailed descriptions of key settings.
Week 13: Climax and Resolution Refinement
Develop and refine the climax and resolution of your manuscript. Learn about the components of a satisfying climax and resolution.
Week 14: Formatting Rules and Manuscript Preparation
Prepare your manuscript for submission or publication. Learn industry-standard formatting guidelines.
Week 15: Book Design and Self-Publishing
Explore book design elements and self-publishing options. Learn about cover design, interior layout, and typography.
Week 16: Typesetting and Final Preparations
Finalize typesetting and prepare for publication. Learn the basics of typesetting and final manuscript preparation.
Your Journey Begins Here!
The Fiction Apprenticeship is more than a writing course—it’s a one-on-one mentorship that takes you from aspiring writer to published author with expert guidance, structured learning, and real-world results.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions you don’t see listed here, feel free to email them to connect@westsky.studio.
How much does the apprenticeship cost?
The full 16-week Apprenticeship currently costs $5,500 total, or $1,375 per month for 4 months. This price will be increasing to $6,500 in the Fall of 2025. We accommodate most payment arrangements and can condense or spread out lessons to suit your schedule and our own.
Do you only do in-person lessons?
We accommodate in-person and online lessons. For the best mentorship experience, we highly suggest meeting with us in person in Broken Arrow, OK. If you’re not able, we have also tailored the experience to work over Google Meet.
Do I need to have a completed manuscript to join?
No, you don’t need a completed manuscript. Our program is designed to guide you through the entire process, from concept to publication.
How much time should I dedicate to the program each week?
In addition to the weekly one-hour lesson, you should plan to spend at least 6-10 hours per week on writing and assignments to get the most out of the program.
Will I be guaranteed publication at the end of the program?
Our program includes WestSky Studio’s Author Assisted publishing service. We will professionally publish your book under your name or a pen name!
Is this program suitable for all genres of fiction?
Yes, our program is designed to accommodate various fiction genres, including but not limited to historical fiction, fantasy, contemporary, mystery, and more.
Do you have any restrictions on book content?
We draw the line on PG-13 material. This program is a professional education experience and we do not allow explicit content. Connect with us to learn more.
I’m ready! How do I get started?
Click the “Enroll Now” button and complete the introductory questionnaire. We will then schedule a time to conduct a simple over-the-phone interview. After that, you will sign a Code of Conduct and Contract, complete the first payment, and plan your first lesson!
