Kailey DelloRusso/The Novel Revision Lab

  • $797 or 3 monthly payments of $270

The Novel Revision Lab

A structured path from first draft chaos to a purposeful, powerful manuscript.

Timeframe: April 8 – June 17

Live Teaching Sessions:
Wednesdays, 7–8:30 PM EST

Dates: April 8, April 22
May 6, May 20
June 3, June 17

Group Size: 8–15 novelists

Enrollment Closes: April 1 or when spots fill ♡ join the waitlist if full

The Novel Revision Lab is a three-month, small-group experience for writers standing at the threshold between a messy draft and the novel they know it can become. This container is designed to help you see your story clearly, understand what it needs, and begin shaping a second or third draft with confidence, clarity, and care.

Together, we’ll move through a structured rhythm of biweekly lessons, guided write-ins, and weekly check-ins that keep you anchored to your work.

You’ll learn how to read your draft with discernment, rebuild its architecture, and rewrite from a place of intention rather than overwhelm. With craft guidance, supportive tools, and space to ask real questions, you’ll begin transforming chaos into something purposeful—one step at a time.

Who This Is For

This cohort is for you if:

  • You’ve completed a full draft of a novel

  • You know something isn’t working, but you’re not sure what

  • You feel overwhelmed by the idea of revision

  • You don’t want to rewrite blindly

  • You crave structure, guidance, and accountability

  • You want community during this stage

By the End of This Cohort, You Will:

  • Have a complete Revision Roadmap

  • Understand your novel’s structure at a high level

  • Possess a revised scene list

  • Have 15–30 intentionally rewritten pages

  • Be able to articulate your protagonist’s transformation clearly

  • Know how to sustain your second draft without restarting

  • Feel confident—not chaotic—about your manuscript

And perhaps most importantly: you’ll trust yourself as a reviser.

Join The Novel Revision Lab ✿

Investment

$797 in full (or 3 monthly payments of $270)

What’s Included

  • 6 Live Teaching & Coaching Sessions — Strategic craft lessons + real-time guidance to shape your revision plan.

  • 4 Guided Virtual Write-Ins — Structured, focused writing time to implement what you learn.

  • Weekly Accountability Threads — Momentum, check-ins, and community support between sessions.

  • Revision Prompts + Worksheets — Clear tools to help you diagnose, restructure, and rewrite with intention.

  • Your Personalized Revision Roadmap — A structured blueprint for your second draft.

  • A Small, Supportive Cohort of Novelists

Optional:
50-Page Editorial Feedback Add-On ($397) For writers who want detailed notes on their first 50 pages.

Cohort Timeline

❀ April: Clarity Month

Goal: Diagnose your draft and build your Revision Roadmap.

April is about stepping back from your manuscript and learning how to read it like an architect instead of a critic. Instead of spiraling into line edits or tearing everything apart, you’ll gain the tools to evaluate what’s working, what isn’t, and—most importantly—why.

Through two live teaching sessions and a guided write-in, you’ll learn how to:

  • Reread your draft without panic

  • Identify the emotional core of your novel

  • Pinpoint structural gaps and missed opportunities

  • Clarify your protagonist’s desire, stakes, and transformation

  • Separate foundational issues from surface-level tweaks

❀ May: Restructure Month

Goal: Rebuild your novel’s architecture with intention.

This is where you move from insight to action: reworking your plot, refining your character arcs, and strengthening the tension that drives your story forward.

Across two live sessions and guided write-ins, you’ll learn how to:

  • Reevaluate your protagonist’s arc and transformation

  • Clarify the central conflict and antagonistic force

  • Strengthen stakes and escalation

  • Diagnose and fix a sagging middle

  • Create a revised scene list aligned with your new structure

Instead of rewriting blindly, you’ll rebuild your novel from the framework up, so scenes have a purpose and every turning point moves the story forward.

❀ June: Deepen + Sustain Month

Goal: Protect the heart of your novel and build lasting revision momentum.

By June, you’ll already be inside your rewrite. You’ll have a clearer structure, rewritten scenes, and a stronger sense of your story’s direction. This month is about protecting that clarity.

Across two live sessions and a final write-in, you’ll focus on staying aligned with the core of your novel, so your draft doesn’t drift, spiral, or lose its emotional center.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Clarify the central transformation your novel explores

  • Strengthen narrative cohesion

  • Avoid common second-draft traps

  • Build a sustainable rewrite plan

Why work with me

  • I’ve spent the past six years immersed in the writing and publishing world—as the founder of Write or Die, I’ve built a thriving community of writers, interviewed hundreds of authors about their process, and helped countless creatives shape, submit, and share their work. Through my collaboration with Chill Subs, I’ve guided writers through the often-intimidating world of querying and finding the right agent.

  • I’ve been where you are. I spent four years writing, revising, and querying—and when I finally landed my agent, it happened in just three months, because I had done the groundwork. I know the emotional highs and lows of the process, and I bring real, lived experience to every step of the journey.

  • I specialize in the early stages of writing—the messy first drafts, the false starts, and the breakthroughs. I love helping writers tap into their creative rhythm, stay accountable, and build sustainable practices that last well beyond one project. I’ll offer clear, thoughtful feedback on your opening pages, treat your work with care and attention, and support you through the inevitable ups and downs of the creative process.

  • My own writing partnerships have been essential to my growth—I know how powerful it is to have someone in your corner. I bring that same spirit to the writers I work with.

If you're craving honest support, clear guidance, and a mentor who shows up with both strategy and heart, I’m here to walk alongside you.

Want to get a better feel for my approach? Browse some of my recent YouTube videos or join my newsletter for encouragement, creative tools, and behind-the-scenes insights.

What Writers Are Saying

— Samira Jafar

Kailey is a wonderful writing coach who thought very deeply about my work and identified the best strategies for moving forward with the story and re-shaping the plot. It made the writing experience fun, helpful, and educational. I highly recommend her!

— Basak Yuksel Balakrishnan

I really enjoyed working with Kailey. This course helped me step outside my own perspective and view the project more objectively, through the eyes of someone else. I received constructive feedback on direction, particularly in relation to the storyline and characters, while also being reminded that uncertainty and revision are essential parts of the creative process. Kailey was professional, supportive, and thorough in answering my questions. I now feel ready to delve further into my project.

— Kallie M

The most validating part has been Kailey’s encouragement. She’s made me want to keep writing, challenged me in all the best ways, and never once made me feel inferior. From the start, she’s been my advocate—cheering me on since the very first email we exchanged.

FAQ's

Do I need a completed draft to join?

You should have a full (or nearly full) draft of your novel. It doesn’t need to be polished, coherent, or “good.” Messy is expected. This container is designed for writers who have something substantial on the page and are ready to reshape it.

What if my draft feels like a disaster?

That’s normal. Most drafts feel worse during revision than they actually are. In April, you’ll learn how to read your manuscript strategically instead of emotionally.

Is this the same as The Wild Draft?

No. The Wild Draft focuses on writing a first draft from scratch.
The Novel Revision Lab is specifically for shaping and restructuring an existing draft. It’s the next step in the process.

How much time should I expect to commit each week?

Plan for:

  • 90 minutes for the live session (biweekly)

  • 1–3 hours per week of reading, restructuring, or rewriting

  • Optional additional writing time during rewrite months

This is structured but sustainable. You won’t be expected to overhaul your entire novel in 10 weeks.

When are the write-ins?

Write-in dates will be scheduled with the cohort during our first session to ensure strong attendance and accessibility across time zones.

What makes this different from revising on my own?

Structure, clarity, and accountability.Most writers stall in revision because they don’t know what to fix first, or they lose momentum halfway through. This cohort gives you a roadmap, live guidance, and a small community to keep you moving. And we will keep it fun!!

What if I can’t attend a live session?

All sessions will be recorded and shared with the cohort. While live attendance is encouraged (especially for community connection), you can stay fully engaged if you need to watch the replay.

Is feedback on my pages included?

Direct page-by-page feedback is not included in the core program. However, you can add on 50-page editorial feedback for $397 if you’d like detailed notes on your revised opening.

Join The Novel Revision Lab ✿