Apply for The Verge
The Community Garden where writers thrive
Welcome to The Writing Barn, a collective of varied voices, where the soil is rich with:
For too long, publishing has operated like a country club.
Writers are left waiting for permission, wondering if they’re doing it “right,” despairing there might not be room for their stories, worried they will be kicked out of the club.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Craft
Connections
Career
Take The Quiz
Writing isn’t a straight line. It’s a living cycle. And in each phase, we need different nutrients.
Our Growth Guide, The 8 Phases of the Literary Life™, helps you name where you are now and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Whether you’re dreaming, revising, or launching, you don’t have to go it alone.
Discover Your Writing Stage with our FREE Quiz
Our authors have signed with
3 Ways to Grow Together
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The Courageous Leap for Writers on the Verge
You’ve put in the work. You’ve studied craft for years. Now is the time to break into the biz with our personalized mentorship and industry strategy for writers ready to make a career leap.
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Online Classes &
On-Demand Courses
Join one of our upcoming webinars, workshops, or 6-week classes. Gain powerful a-ha’s through our Thrive System. Access at any time, yours to keep.
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The Courage to Create
Community
Your creative home base for accountability, connection, and sustained courage, with various levels of support and industry access.
Our authors have signed with
"I took classes and attended retreats at The Writing Barn that were very impactful to me. Now published, I love passing along the knowledge I learned in the Courage to Create and more. As a WB instructor, the first place that offered me a place to teach, having that opportunity allows me to generate income to continue to invest in my own journey as I support others in following their dreams. From student, to success story to instructor, Bethany and The Writing Barn has helped me achieve each next YES."
"The Writing Barn has helped me achieve each next YES."
Author of 6+ picture books, including It Will Be Okay and more
Lisa Katzenberger, author
"I'm impressed by the range of program offerings for creators at different stages of their careers. The Writing Barn is a supportive and respectful community where writers, agents, and editors can connect, learn, and share. I always notice the professionalism, dedication to craft, and talent of writers in their programs."
"I always notice the professionalism, dedication to craft, and talent of writers..."
Agent with Aevitas Literary
Amy Thrall Flynn, Agent
Agent with Unter Agency
"The Writing Barn offers a supportive environment and top-notch writing. I have signed multiple authors through the Verge program."
Jennifer Unter, Author
"The Writing Barn is well-organized and offers a platform for emerging writers to meet with agents and editors in an easy environment. Everyone is very supportive of each other and the writing is top-notch! I have signed two children's book authors through their Verge program and am excited to move forward with their projects and other works of theirs in the future!"
Signed with Sara Crowe Literary and debut author.
"The Writing Barn has helped me navigate a contract, grow my relationship with my agent and more."
Christal Presley, Author
"The market is more competitive than ever. I know I have to continually hone my craft to help my stories stand out. Building relationships with editors is also essential—as is staying aware of changes in the marketplace. The Verge has helped me navigate a contract, grow my relationship with my agent, and more. I’ve made the long term investment in their programming as The Writing Barn has made a long game investment in me."
Literary Agent, Mad Woman Literary Agency
"I have already started receiving general submissions from TWB writers and the quality is apparent."
Chelsea Hensley, Agent
"It feels like the end goal isn't just finding an agent but also producing quality work that is well done and fulfilling for creators. I have already started receiving general submissions from TWB writers and the quality is apparent."
HG Literary, Verge Agent Advisor
"We landed Fiona Wong her first deal and secured three more book deals within a year."
Ellen Goff, agent
"The Writing Barn team is on board to help writers at so many different stages of their careers, from new writers to those rebranding for a fresh push. We landed Fiona Wong her first deal and secured three more book deals within a year."
Author, signed with Tugeau 2 Literary
"In this industry, beyond continuously working on your craft comes the investment. The Writing Barn has been the best investment I’ve made in my creative career."
Lee Brockman, author
Junior Agent, Lighthouse Literary
"Writing Barn authors develop their whole selves while waiting for their yes, making them proactive, responsive go-getters."
Mara Cobb, junior agent
Associate Agent, Focused Artists
"I found one of my clients thanks to a Writing Barn event. I recently signed Kari Gonzalez whom I met through a Pitch and Play event."
Jackie Kruzie, agent
Assistant Editor, Holiday House
"All of the writers I spoke to were professionals: eager, passionate, and excited to dig in and realize their projects’ full potential."
Kade Dishmon, editor
Senior Literary Agent, The Tobias Literary Agency
"Bethany and The Writing Barn helped me get my own career off the ground and I’m always happy to learn about new writers."
Jacqueline Lipton, agent
"I took classes and attended retreats at The Writing Barn that were very impactful to me. Now published, I love passing along the knowledge I learned in the Courage to Create and more. As a WB instructor, the first place that offered me a place to teach, having that opportunity allows me to generate income to continue to invest in my own journey as I support others in following their dreams. From student, to success story to instructor, Bethany and The Writing Barn has helped me achieve each next YES."
"The Writing Barn has helped me achieve each next YES."
Lisa Katzenberger
Author of 6+ picture books
"I'm impressed by the range of program offerings for creators at different stages of their careers. The Writing Barn is a supportive and respectful community where writers, agents, and editors can connect, learn, and share. I always notice the professionalism, dedication to craft, and talent of writers in their programs."
"I always notice the professionalism, dedication to craft, and talent of writers..."
Amy Thrall Flynn
Agent with Aevitas Literary
The Writing Barn is well-organized and offers a platform for emerging writers to meet with agents and editors in an easy environment. Everyone is very supportive of each other and the writing is top-notch! I have signed two children's book authors through their Verge program and am excited to move forward with their projects and other works of theirs in the future!
"The Writing Barn offers a supportive environment and top-notch writing. I have signed multiple authors through the Verge program."
Jennifer Unter
Agent with Unter Agency
"The market is more competitive than ever. I know I have to continually hone my craft to help my stories stand out. Building relationships with editors is also essential—as is staying aware of changes in the marketplace. TWB has helped me navigate a contract, grow my relationship with my agent and more. I’ve made the long term investment in their programming as TWB has made a long game investment in me."
"TWB has helped me navigate a contract, grow my relationship with my agent and more."
Christal Presley
Debut Author
"It feels like the end goal isn't just finding an agent but also producing quality work that is well done and fulfilling for creators. I have already started receiving general submissions from TWB writers and the quality is apparent."
"I have already started receiving general submissions from TWB writers and the quality is apparent."
Chelsea Hensley
Mad Woman Literary Agency
"The Writing Barn team is on board to help writers at so many different stages of their careers, from new writers to those rebranding for a fresh push. We landed Fiona Wong her first deal and secured three more book deals within a year."
"We landed Fiona Wong her first deal and secured three more book deals within a year."
Ellen Goff
HG Literary, Verge Agent Advisor
"I found one of my clients thanks to a Writing Barn event. I recently signed Kari Gonzalez whom I met through a Pitch and Play event."
Jackie Kruzie
Associate Agent, Focused Artists
"Writing Barn authors develop their whole selves while waiting for their yes, making them proactive, responsive go-getters."
Mara Cobb
Junior Agent, Lighthouse Literary
"In this industry, beyond continuously working on your craft comes the investment. The Writing Barn has been the best investment I’ve made in my creative career."
Lee Brockman
Signed with Tugeau 2 Literary
"All of the writers I spoke to were professionals: eager, passionate, and excited to dig in and realize their projects’ full potential."
Kade Dishmon
Assistant Editor, Holiday House
"Bethany and the Writing Barn helped me get my own career off the ground and I’m always happy to learn about new writers."
Jacqueline Lipton
Agent, The Tobias Literary Agency
