Join us for a month of writing! In the spirit of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) we thought we would join in and give it a Darling Citizen twist. You'll join a community of writers with varying goals - it might be to start the novel you've been dreaming of, or to finish off one you're already writing; maybe it is to catalogue the birds in your neighbourhoods and write epic poems about them all; or it might simply be to journal daily and take time each day to slow down and reflect. You set your goal and whatever it is we are here to cheer you on! 

There are three tiers to choose from:

Tier 1: The Writing Companion - $25

You'll get an online workbook with prompts, writing exercises and checkpoints to keep you on track. We'll email you The Sunday Dispatch - a weekly message including a prompt, an exercise and a note from us.

You will have access to a Whatsapp group for check-ins and chat and there will also be an optional weekly pub meet-up, at which we can write together, share thoughts, and hold each other accountable. 

Tier 2: The Writing Ally - $75

All of the above as well as:

• A November Writing Map outlining your goal, and a weekly plan to keep you on track. 
• Personal check-ins and prompts. We'll send you a questionnaire to fill in describing your project and then devise four tailored prompts (one per week) that are specific to you. Whether you need gentle encouragement and inspiration, an accountability partner or someone to challenge you, we can help!
• The first edition of our Letter Club! These will be sent out at the beginning of December and will contain a letter, a linocut print, a few stickers with lines from poems and a curated reading list. 

Tier 3: The Writing Guide - from $245

This is for writers seeking thoughtful feedback on the work they have created. You will receive everything offered above, as well as an editorial assessment from the Darling Citizen team. 

Jessie holds a Grad Dip in Writing, Editing, and Publishing; and worked as a freelance editor and copywriter. Vicky has degrees in Writing, and Psychology, and was a judge on the recent Queensland Literary Awards panel. We've both been booksellers for longer than we care to say and avid readers from infancy.

There are two options, depending on the scope of your project.

An extract assessment  - $245

For short stories, novel or memoir extracts, poetry, and works in progress of up to 10,000 words. You will receive a 2-3 page assessment with notes on strengths and weaknesses, voice and overall cohesion. 

An extended assessment  - $450

For novellas, longer manuscripts, short story collections and substantial works in progress (max 50,000 words) You will receive a detailed manuscript report on structure, pacing, character, tone, as well as notes for revision and guidance on places to potentially submit your work to.