The World Is Waiting to Hear Your Story.

This is the summer you become an author.

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Welcome to Exceptional Pursuits

Exceptional Pursuits is an eight-week writing intensive for driven teens who want to publish their own book.
We welcome all students ages 13-18 to apply.
Interested? Join our mailing list to stay updated.

What Makes EP Special?

Get Inspired. Tell Your Story. Be Exceptional.
Exceptional Pursuits is a virtual writing intensive that empowers teens to find their voice, share their story, and become bona fide authors—all in one summer. Students will learn how to transform a rough idea for a book into a detailed outline and then be guided as they write, edit, and prepare to publish their work.
Taught by experienced authors who published books as teens themselves, EP inspires young writers to dream big and then gives them the tools to do bigger.
Structure

Writing a book is a major undertaking. We’ll help you overcome the overwhelm and get it done. From coming up with your idea to publishing your writing for all to see, we’ll break the process down into manageable steps and support you along the way. Each week you’ll receive specialized instruction on progressing with your book as well as have access to one-on-one mentoring.

Creative Confidence

By participating in EP, you’ll do more than just write a book—you’ll discover a new way of thinking about the world. A book is just the beginning. Once you have the confidence to dream up big projects, the organization to break them into manageable steps, and the discipline to follow through to the end, the world opens up to you. You’ll have the confidence to go out into the world and forge your own path—creating impact through your work.

Community

Your story is your own, but that doesn’t mean you have to write alone! Throughout the 8-week program, you’ll learn from and be supported by a community of like-minded teens. Author Q&A’s, writing sprints, and other fun activities will help you create lifelong friendships. Each week, you’ll send a short reflection message to an anonymous pen pal and receive one back. Additionally, friendly group word count challenges will keep everyone motivated and accountable.

What You'll Do During EP

In the weeks leading up to camp, you will receive guidance on selecting an idea for your book. You will meet one-on-one with one of our coaches to discuss your idea and get answers to any questions you may have.
During the first week of camp, we’ll waste no time getting started! You’ll develop your story from an idea to an outline and set up the framework for your book. The week ends with a 2-day long group writing sprint in which you’ll complete three chapters of your book, putting you well on your way to success.
Each week, you’ll attend short group meetings with track-specific instruction provided just when you need it. You’ll learn how to write in a clear and engaging manner and develop your style as a writer.
Want to build your career around writing? EP is the camp for you! You’ll get to learn firsthand about opportunities for writing professionally from professional writers themselves.
After you’ve completed your first draft, you’ll learn the tips and techniques you need to turn it into a polished final product. Once you’re ready to share your book with the world, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about publishing and promoting your book.
Idea Development
In the weeks leading up to camp, you will receive guidance on selecting an idea for your book. You will meet one-on-one with one of our coaches to discuss your idea and get answers to any questions you may have.
KickOff Week: Take Massive Action Immediately
During the first week of camp, we’ll waste no time getting started! You’ll develop your story from an idea to an outline and set up the framework for your book. The week ends with a 2-day long group writing sprint in which you’ll complete three chapters of your book, putting you well on your way to success.
Write Consistently & Write Well
Each week, you’ll attend short group meetings with track-specific instruction provided just when you need it. You’ll learn how to write in a clear and engaging manner and develop your style as a writer.
Expand Your Horizons As A Writer
Want to build your career around writing? EP is the camp for you! You’ll get to learn firsthand about opportunities for writing professionally from professional writers themselves.
What Comes Next: Editing and Preparing to Publish
After you’ve completed your first draft, you’ll learn the tips and techniques you need to turn it into a polished final product. Once you’re ready to share your book with the world, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about publishing and promoting your book.

Pick Your Path

Fiction
Have a unique story concept or an intriguing character you’d like to explore? Choose the Fiction Path to learn how to develop an engaging plot, create likable characters, set realistic word count goals, and most importantly—write the first draft of your novel in record time.
Nonfiction
Have a topic you’re knowledgeable and passionate about or an original idea the world needs to hear? Choose the Nonfiction Path to learn how to break your ideas into consumable chapters, sequence them logically, and weave research, opinion, and narrative together seamlessly to create an insightful and engaging book.

Meet Your Instructors

Mel Torrefranca

Mel Torrefranca is an award-winning author and founder of the indie publishing house Lost Island Press. She published her debut novel Leaving Wishville as a junior in high school, followed by Capsule the following year.

“Writing books as a teenager was the gateway to pursuing a career in entrepreneurship. The writing and publishing processes involve commitment, planning, discipline, research, budgeting, and collaboration—crucial skills that I apply to every large project of mine.”

Mel is currently working with a team of voice actors and audio engineers to produce a full-cast audio book adaptation of her upcoming dark fantasy novel Nightshade Academy. In her free time, she films videos for her YouTube channel of over 50,000 subscribers. Mel is EP’s Fiction Path leader.

Emily Erickson

Emily Erickson published Unlearned during her junior year of high school and The Art of the A the summer following her senior year.

“Writing my first book changed my life. It gave me a sense of efficacy—that I could go out into the world and undertake ambitious projects with real impact—that school never did. It unlocked my creative confidence and emboldened me to forge my own path in the world. I want to help teens have these same realizations through undertaking exceptional pursuits.”

Emily is currently attending the University of Utah where she is studying computer science and electrical engineering. In her free time, she likes taking aerial arts classes at her local circus training facility and developing education programs. Emily is extremely excited to be EP’s Nonfiction Path leader this summer!

Now Enrolling for Summer 2024

June 10 – August 2, 2024

Monday & Wednesday 8-8:30 AM PST (11-11:30 AM EST)
KickOff Week and Weekend Writing Sprint Dates and Times TBD
Weekly track-specific instruction
One-on-one-coaching
Group writing sprints, author Q&A’s, extension activities
Tuition $800 for the 8-week program (*scholarships available)
APPLY NOW

The Big Picture

Writing a book is more than putting words on a page.

It’s believing you have ideas worth spreading and having the moxie to share them with the world.

It’s choosing to listen to the subtle promptings of your heart and having the courage and discipline to act on them.

It’s acknowledging that you’ll never be ready, daring to get started anyways and trusting that you’ll learn what you need to along the way.

It’s transforming an idea and a blank page into something real that can change lives.

The moment you complete your first book, the world opens up to you. If you can write a book, you can do anything.

FAQs

Students must be 13-18 years old during the program. We accept students globally as long as they can commit to attending the majority of live sessions. Participants must commit to putting in the time and work necessary to complete the first draft of their book by the end of the program.

The application asks for three ideas you have for books and what track (fiction or nonfiction) you are most interested in. These questions are designed to get you thinking and help us get to know you. You are in no way required to stick with any of them.. If accepted, you will meet one-on-one with your track leader in the weeks leading up to the program to finalize your idea.

Every author asks themselves this before writing their first book. No one ever feels ready to get started—but they sit down and start typing anyways. They take it one word at a time, learning what they need to along the way. We don’t expect you to be a professional writer to participate in this program. All we ask is that you come with an earnest desire to write a book and the willingness to ask questions, learn, and take risks. We’ll meet you where you are and accompany you along your journey.

It is a common misconception that writing a book takes years. With a clear plan and dedication, all students are capable of completing a solid first draft by the end of the program. As for editing and publishing your book, it is important to step away from your draft for a few weeks before proceeding. We will thoroughly prepare you to complete these steps and follow up with you on your progress after the program ends. Completing your first draft is the hardest part of writing a book, and we will help you achieve it by the end of this summer!

Conflicting school start/end dates, family vacations, other progams–we understand if you have to miss a few of our live meetings. Let us know ahead of time and we will send you a recording of the session and/or meet one on one with you to catch you up on what you missed. We do request that you make every effort to be present during KickOff Week (the first week of the camp, June 10-16) as we will be covering a lot of information and completing critical steps for beginning to write you won’t want to fall behind on.

The eight-week program costs $800 which must be paid in full before the first day. We do not want financial hardship to discourage any qualified teen from applying, as such we have a limited number of partial scholarships available. If the program tuition presents a significant barrier to your participation, please email us at info@exceptionalpursuits.com explaining your circumstances and requesting to be considered for one.

The program will take place from June 10 - August 2, 2024. There will be short, track-specific information-packed meetings Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8-8:30 AM PST (11-11:30 AM EST) from the second week of the program onwards. During the first week of the program (Kick Off Week), we will meet from 8-10:00 AM PST (11:00 AM-1:00 PM EST) Monday, June 10 - Thursday, June 13 to prepare for a group writing sprint that weekend. The extra time is necessary to complete guided planning activities. Completing a substantial portion of the project early on is important in building commitment and momentum. We will survey participants about availability for additional group activities and guest Q&A’s at the beginning of the program. Participants are expected to set and achieve personal writing goals each week and to attend as many meetings as possible as well as submit a weekly check-in form. Your track leader will communicate with you regularly and be available to offer guidance and support when you need it.

The application consists of multiple short answer questions to help us get to know you as a person and as a writer. We are looking to see that you are committed to putting in the work required to finish a rough draft by the end of the program and that you are passionate about forging your own path in the world and living an exceptional life. Applications are due May 26 at 11:59 PM PST. We will notify you by the middle of May if you have been selected to participate. No payment is required until after you are accepted.

Still Have Questions?

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Apply Today

Program Dates

June 10 – August 2, 2024

Applications Close May 26, 2024

APPLY NOW
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