DeepDive’s How to Write a Novel gives you the structure, accountability, and expert guidance you need to finish. With 50+ hours of instruction from 40+ acclaimed contemporary authors, you’ll get the MFA-level education you’ve been searching for — at a tiny fraction of the cost.
- 🎓Learn directly from authors like Emily St. John Mandel, Stephen Graham Jones, Melissa Broder, Steve Almond, Porochista Khakpour, Hannah Pittard, V.V. Ganeshananthan, & many more.
- ⏱️ 50+ hours of in-depth lessons, streamed online or in the DeepDive app
- đź’ˇProven strategies to overcome writer's block, self-doubt, and burnout
- 📚 From first draft to final polish—a roadmap that works
- đź’µ No $100,000 MFA required
Alex N.
"I've already listened to three episodes, and it's great. I'm really looking forward to listening more throughout the coming months. Thanks for making it."
David W.
"Thank you for creating this course, for these incredibly thoughtful and insightful conversations, and this humble, generous approach to the craft of writing and creative life in general."
Lidija H.
"I’m bingeing this course…Even though I’m a published author, there is still SO MUCH to learn. How to Write a Novel is making me reflect on what my process is and how I can make it better."
 Does This Sound Like You?
- I don't know where to start. Many writers struggle to move from idea to execution, unsure how to begin or structure a novel
- I can't stay motivated. Self-doubt, burnout, and life distractions often derail even the most passionate writers
- My story feels flat or unfocused. Plot problems, weak character arcs, or inconsistent tone can make a draft feel lifeless
- I keep getting stuck in revision. Rewriting can feel overwhelming without a clear method—many writers rewrite endlessly or give up
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I don't know if it's any good. Without guidance or feedback, it’s hard to tell whether a draft is working—or how to make it better
You're not alone.
In The Next Year, You Could…
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Finish a draft of your novel—and have the confidence to revise it with purpose
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Have a writing practice that actually works for your life—and keeps you moving forward
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Have a clear path forward—whether that’s revision, publication, or simply starting the next project
The right instruction and support can make all the difference. You don't have to do this alone.
Ready to tell your story?
At DeepDive, we believe that the fastest and most effective way to learn how to do something is to learn directly from those who are already doing it at a high level. In How to Write a Novel, you’ll learn how to:
- Build a sustainable, personalized writing process
- Finish your book with confidence
- Emulate the creative strategies of great contemporary writers  Â
This course offers a complete roadmap to writing your novel. Master the mindset, discipline, habits, and craft techniques that professional authors use to write and publish their books.Â
Whether you’re just starting out or coming back to a stalled draft, How to Write a Novel will meet you where you are—and help you get where you want to go.Â
This course is perfect for writers who are serious about finishing their novels and want expert guidance, real structure, and inspiration from authors who’ve done it themselves.
ENROLL NOWGet the DeepDive app.Â
Learn anywhere, at your own speed, on your own time. Access immersive audio courses, bonus content, and community features on your iPhone or Android—so you can learn on your schedule, wherever you are.
Featured instructors:
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What's Included inÂ
How to Write a Novel...
MODULE 1
The Blank Page & Getting Started
An exploration of how great writers face the blank page, find ideas, and build momentum in the early stages of writing a novel. Learn actionable steps you can take to:
- Move from idea to action—without waiting for inspiration
- Overcome fear, doubt, and perfectionism in the opening stages
- Develop simple strategies to build momentum and make writing a daily habit
By the end of this module, you’ll understand how to overcome resistance and start writing with clarity and purpose. You’ll walk away with a solid foundation, a daily practice, and the confidence to keep moving forward.
MODULE 2
Rituals, Pitfalls, & the Emotional Work
Writers share creative rituals, common pitfalls, and the emotional challenges of the writing life—and how to navigate them with resilience and intention. In this module, you’ll learn:
- Daily practices that help you stay grounded, focused, and creatively open
- How successful writers push through fear, failure, and uncertainty
- Practical tools for managing your energy, setting boundaries, and protecting your writing time
MODULE 3
Character, Character, Character
Writers discuss how to craft vivid, complex, unforgettable characters—the heart of great fiction—and why character is the engine that drives every story. In this module, you’ll learn how to:
- Create layered, believable characters that feel alive on the page
- Make readers care about your characters—through specificity, vulnerability, and surprise
- Reveal character through voice, action, conflict, and change
MODULE 4
Other Fundamentals
An exploration of some key elements of fiction—setting, dialogue, point of view—and how mastering these fundamentals brings a novel to life. In this module, you’ll learn:
- How to choose and control point of view to shape your reader’s experience
- How to write dialogue that feels natural, purposeful, and charged with subtext
- How to use setting not just as backdrop, but as a dynamic force in your story
MODULE 5
Drafting, Rewriting, & Revising
Writers share insights on drafting, rewriting, and revising—how novels take shape through persistence, discovery, and the art of reimagining your work. Learn actionable steps you can take to:
- Approach your first draft with freedom, curiosity, and momentum
- Identify what’s working—and what needs to change—in your manuscript
- Develop a clear, step-by-step revision process that brings your novel closer to its full potential
MODULE 6
Approaches to Fiction
Exploring a variety of approaches to fiction—autofiction, domestic fiction, horror, body horror, humor—and how genre shapes voice, tone, and story. In this module, you’ll learn:
- What different genres demand—and how to meet or subvert those expectations
- How top writers use genre to explore identity, relationships, fear, and absurdity
- How to borrow tools from different genres to enrich character, conflict, mood, and pacing
MODULE 7
The Endgame
Writers talk about the final stages of revision, finding an agent, and selling your novel—the practical and creative challenges of finishing strong and entering the publishing world. In this module, you’ll learn how to:
- Approach final revisions with fresh eyes and a focus on what truly matters
- Craft a compelling query letter and find the right agent for your work
- Navigate the submission and publishing process with resilience and clarity
MODULE 8
Bonus Materials
Bonus episodes from the Otherppl with Brad Listi podcast—deep, candid conversations with writers about life, craft, and what it really takes to write. In these episodes, you’ll learn:
- Hear unfiltered stories about the struggles, breakthroughs, and daily realities of the writing life
- Learn how seasoned writers stay inspired, handle setbacks, and keep going over the long haul
- Gain wisdom on building a life that supports your creativity—on and off the page
FOUNDER & HOST
Brad Listi
Welcome! I'm the founder of DeepDive and the host of How to Write a Novel. I'm also the author of the novels Be Brief and Tell Them Everything and Attention. Deficit. Disorder., an LA Times bestseller.
Since 2011, I've hosted and produced the Otherppl podcast, which features in-depth interviews with today's leading writers. Past guests include luminaries like Karl Ove Knausgaard, Lorrie Moore, George Saunders, Min Jin Lee, Elizabeth Strout, Roxane Gay, Jonathan Franzen, Louise Erdrich, Dave Eggers, and many more.
Through these conversations—and through my own years of experience as a working writer, editor, and publisher—I’ve come to understand the writing process intimately: the struggles it involves, the doubts it stirs up, and the mindset and tools it takes to persevere and publish.
What makes this course different...
- Depth Over Hype: No gimmicks, no formulas—just honest, hard-earned insights into the creative process, straight from working writers.
- Comprehensive and Nuanced: Covers every stage of novel writing—from idea to revision to publication—through the lens of lived experience
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 Emotionally Intelligent: Tackles the inner life of the writer—doubt, rejection, persistence, and vulnerability—with honesty and compassion
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A Trusted Host: Created by a seasoned author and literary podcaster who has spent over a decade speaking deeply with hundreds of great writers
Listen to an Episode
In this special sneak preview from How to Write a Novel, author Steve Almond joins me for a wide-ranging, deeply honest conversation about why we write novels in the first place. We explore the emotional, creative, and existential questions that every writer should consider before diving in—what’s at stake, what drives us, and what it really means to commit to the long, uncertain path of writing a book.
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How to Write a Novel
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Successful writers take action.Â
Don't lose more time spinning your wheels—struggling with self-doubt, confusion, and unfinished drafts. Months or even years can pass without meaningful progress on your novel. Don't miss the chance to  learn directly from authors who’ve faced the same challenges and found their way through. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to build momentum and confidence. Investing in this course today means finally giving your writing the structure, insight, and inspiration it deserves.
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