Chapter by Chapter

A 10-Month Manuscript Intensive

Chapter by Chapter is a rigorous, small-group manuscript program designed for committed writers working on a full-length project. Over ten months, you will develop, revise, workshop, and strengthen your manuscript alongside a dedicated cohort of peers.

This is not a casual class. It is a sustained commitment to your work. Writers in this program benefit from structure, accountability, professional-level critique, and the momentum that comes from showing up every week for nearly a year.

Express your interest

Are you ready to finish your manuscript?

Expressions of Interest for 2026 are now open.

September 2026 to June 2027 | 38 weeks
AWCS Members: $1650 | Non-Members: $2250
Deadline to apply: May 1, 2026

How It Works
Classes alternate weekly:

Week One: craft discussion, skill-building, and focused exercises
Week Two: in-depth workshop and critique

You will be expected to:

produce new pages regularly
revise existing material
give thoughtful, constructive feedback
receive critique with openness and professionalism

The goal is progress. For many participants, that means completing a full draft. For others, it means transforming an existing manuscript into something submission-ready.

Who This Is For
Chapter by Chapter is recommended for intermediate to advanced writers who:

are actively working on a full-length manuscript
have at least close to a full first draft
have prior experience with critique or workshop environments
are serious about finishing and refining a substantial project

Participants should be comfortable reading across genres, including narrative nonfiction, memoir, literary and upmarket fiction, mystery, speculative fiction, romance, YA to adult, and short story or essay collections.

This program is not suitable for picture books, poetry, or academic nonfiction.

2026 Cohorts
When submitting your Expression of Interest, you will select one instructor. Each cohort is limited to 8 writers.

Diana Bayko
In-Person | Alexandra Writers’ Centre (Calgary)
Thursdays | 10am-12pm

Finnian Burnett
Online | Zoom
Wednesdays | 6pm-9pm

Nicole Bross
In Person | Alexandra Writers’ Centre (Calgary)
Wednesdays | 7pm - 9pm

Sandra McIntyre
Online | Zoom
Wednesdays | 10am-12pm

How to Apply
Because this is an intensive program, we ask all interested writers to submit an Expression of Interest. This helps ensure the cohort is a strong fit and that you are positioned to get the most out of the experience. Each class is limited to 8 participants.
The deadline to apply is May 1, 2026.

What to Submit

Complete the Expression of Interest form.
Include a 10-page sample from the manuscript you intend to workshop.
- Double-spaced
- 11 or 12 pt standard font
- Pages numbered

Commitment & Withdrawal Policy
This is a long-term program and requires steady participation. If you begin the program and determine early on that it is not the right fit, you may withdraw before October 31 and receive a 75% credit. After October 31, no credits will be issued. All standard withdrawal policies apply.

If cost is a barrier, please consider applying through the J. Michael Fay Subsidy Program.

2026 Instructors

Diana Bayko

In Person | Alexandra Writers' Centre
Diana Bayko is a mixed-race writer, and her work explores the liminal spaces of our racial, personal, and professional identities. She has been published in The Yummy Mummy Club, Mixed Asian Media, and WestWord Magazine, and her essay, "I married a spy. The secrecy broke my heart." made the longlist for the 2025 CBC Nonfiction prize. She holds a Publishing Certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University, and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of King's College. Diana's memoir about being mixed, living a double life, and marrying a spy, is forthcoming.

Nicole Bross

In Person | Alexandra Writers’ Centre
Nicole Bross is a certified book coach, editor, and the author of Past Presence, an adult supernatural mystery which was a top-three finalist for an Award of Excellence for Best First Crime Novel, awarded by the Crime Writers of Canada. She's also the co-author of the #1 Amazon bestselling A Novel Approach: Strategies for ADHD Writers, a writing guide for neurodiverse authors whose ADHD is getting in the way of finishing their books, and the editor-in-chief of Birthing Magazine. When she's not writing, she can be found curled up with a book, messing around with her ever-expanding collection of manual typewriters, or in the departures lounge of the airport at the beginning of another adventure.

Finnian Burnett

Online | Zoom
Dr. Finnian Burnett writes to explore the intersections of mental health, gender identity, and disability. Their work has appeared on CBC Books, Writer’s Digest, Blank Spaces Magazine, Pulp Literature, and more. Finnian’s first novella-in-flash, THE CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN, shortlisted for the Bath NIF awards. Their subsequent novellas-in-flash, THE PRICE OF COOKIES and REDSHIRTS SOMETIMES SURVIVE are available from Off Topic Publishing. Finnian is a long-time instructor both in higher education and for community learners. When not teaching or writing, Finnian watches too much Star Trek and accidentally kills houseplants.

Sandra McIntyre

Online | Zoom
Sandra McIntyre is a writer, instructor and book editor with twenty-five years of experience both in-house and freelance. She’s edited hundreds of books—Canadian bestsellers and award winners among them. As an instructor, Sandra has a passion for novel structure, point of view, self-editing techniques and the ins and outs and ups and downs of book publishing. She reads widely and wildly, with a soft spot for literary, historical, crime, speculative and science fictions as well as the short story. Sandra holds a master’s degree in English from Dalhousie University. She lives in Nova Scotia.

SUBMIT YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST