Bardsy helps serious writers produce compelling novels.
Our experienced authors and educators offer a well-researched and thoroughly tested approach to
guide and support your efforts. With our help, your story will captivate agents, publishers, and
readers.
We feature workshops, courses, regular anthology contests and published guides as well as our
curated community. Each part springs from a unified set of ideas, tools and resources, which are
firmly rooted in reader psychology.
When I first heard of Bardsy, I was skeptical of their writers’ groups. How wrong could I be?! I have received amazing personal coaching that has improved my writing and helped keep me motivated.
My writers’ group has given me honest, impartial feedback that I have needed and craved. The result is that my writing is better, my scenes are tighter, and I now have a trusting community to turn to that is devoted to helping me succeed as an author. - Stacey C.
My writers’ group has given me honest, impartial feedback that I have needed and craved. The result is that my writing is better, my scenes are tighter, and I now have a trusting community to turn to that is devoted to helping me succeed as an author. - Stacey C.
I already had a large chunk of of my story of my story written before joining Bardsy. But, these meetings have helped me immensely.
Bardsy's directed writing group has been EVERYTHING I could've asked for. The other group members have been a pleasure to work with and get to know. Simply put, I'm a far better writer because of what I've learned with Bardsy. - Andrew E.
Bardsy's directed writing group has been EVERYTHING I could've asked for. The other group members have been a pleasure to work with and get to know. Simply put, I'm a far better writer because of what I've learned with Bardsy. - Andrew E.
As much as we’d like to think that writing a book is something we can do alone, it’s not. Bardsy is different from other critique groups because they consciously select competent, supportive and focused writers for every Elite group so that each session is productive and effective with high quality feedback. No time is wasted. I’ve made more progress in the past six months on my manuscript with my group than I have in four years alone or with any other critique group. - Sarah K.
I discovered Bardsy a year ago and have attended both group and individual sessions. Each time, I have learned valuable lessons about the writing craft that I have applied to my work. The review process includes a scoring system that provides writers with a focused view of areas that need improvement. I have also been rewarded by reading the developing works of great writers with unique styles and voices, who in turn offer their impressions of my work. - Tunji O.
If it weren't for Bardsy, this book might not have found a home. The feedback I received from my directed writing group and facilitator was specific, targeting exactly what was needed to get my story into publishable condition. The guidance I received directed my revisions, and the group's encouragement led to my polishing the story. The end result was a publishing contract! - Pamela R.
Today, I am a published novelist writing a second book. Five years ago, I was a recently retired engineer/business person. I found Bardsy through a short story contest, but what I really found was coaching and inspiration.
Bardsy’s sessions keep me accountable to make regular progress . The professional guidance from Bardsy staff has improved my story development and taken my writing to a level worthy of publication. Writing is like playing golf. It takes work and coaching to make doing it well look easy. - David D.
Bardsy’s sessions keep me accountable to make regular progress . The professional guidance from Bardsy staff has improved my story development and taken my writing to a level worthy of publication. Writing is like playing golf. It takes work and coaching to make doing it well look easy. - David D.
My experience with Bardsy has been wonderful. Not only was I able to achieve a long-sought-after goal of having one of my stories published as an anthology winner, but the feedback I have received from the two contests I have entered has been invaluable.
As an Elite workshop member, I receive guidance from their exceptional editorial staff and my fellow writing peers. The workshop is fun to participate in and helps me with focus, content and deadlines. - Christine R.
As an Elite workshop member, I receive guidance from their exceptional editorial staff and my fellow writing peers. The workshop is fun to participate in and helps me with focus, content and deadlines. - Christine R.
Joining my Bardsy writing group 1.5 years ago was one of the best decisions I could’ve made for my stories. The amount of growth I’ve been able to accomplish through the individual coaching and feedback from peers has resulted in my ability to construct stories quicker, diagnose issues sooner, and produce satisfactory stories for my readers.
Bardsy has helped me not only grow in my craft, but my confidence, and now I get to say I’m a published author with more stories in the works! Not to mention I’ve met some of the most incredible people through it. Highly recommend! - Ariel J.
Bardsy has helped me not only grow in my craft, but my confidence, and now I get to say I’m a published author with more stories in the works! Not to mention I’ve met some of the most incredible people through it. Highly recommend! - Ariel J.
The Bardsy writing group provided invaluable support and constructive criticism that were instrumental in securing both literary representation and a traditional publishing contract.
The thoughtful feedback and encouraging community fostered an environment conducive to refining my manuscript to a professional standard. For authors seeking serious guidance and a supportive network in their publishing journey, this group comes highly recommended. - Diana W.
The thoughtful feedback and encouraging community fostered an environment conducive to refining my manuscript to a professional standard. For authors seeking serious guidance and a supportive network in their publishing journey, this group comes highly recommended. - Diana W.
Bardsy has been an amazing experience for me. I started by stumbling upon it for the first chapter contest and then was welcomed into an amazing writing group. My writing has soared, and with their help, I believe my book has changed for the better. My book is well on its way to being wonderfully polished all thanks to the help of the Bardsy process! I would highly recommend this for any writer. - Jocelyn C.
Bardsy has been a game-changer for my writing. Tools like the Minimum Complete Story and Publishability Index™ are essential parts of my drafting process. The high-level feedback I receive in my directed writing group is incredibly helpful, and the craft lessons continue to help me develop my storytelling skills. My first traditionally published novel releases this fall, and you better believe Bardsy and my directed writing group are in the acknowledgments! - Allie O.
The feedback provided during Bardsy’s first chapter contest was superb and elevated what had been a decent first chapter to something so compelling that it won the competition.
I got to try out Bardsy’s Elite Workshops, and I was hooked halfway through the first one. These curated groups are led by Bardsy’s experienced and highly educated staff, and include like-minded writers who take their craft seriously. Sharing your WIP is exciting and productive rather than scary. I’m proud to say Twenty-twenty Boom is a Bardsy novel. - Lynda W.
I got to try out Bardsy’s Elite Workshops, and I was hooked halfway through the first one. These curated groups are led by Bardsy’s experienced and highly educated staff, and include like-minded writers who take their craft seriously. Sharing your WIP is exciting and productive rather than scary. I’m proud to say Twenty-twenty Boom is a Bardsy novel. - Lynda W.
Announcements
Fall 2025 Workshops
Sat, Sep 13, 2025:
Identify Your Novel's Strengths and Weaknesses With Bardsy Publishability
Index
Tue, Sep 23, 2025:
A Failsafe Recipe For Creating Deeply Empathetic Characters
Sat, Oct 11, 2025:
4 Must-Haves For a Compelling First Chapter
Tue, Oct 21, 2025:
Thematize Your Story To Deliver an Unforgettable Experience
Sat, Nov 8, 2025:
A Failsafe Recipe For Creating Deeply Empathetic Characters
Tue, Nov 18, 2025:
Revealing and Weaving Your Book's Unique Value Into Every Page
Sat, Dec 6, 2025:
Revealing and Weaving Your Book's Unique Value Into Every Page
First Chapter Anthology Contest
Our contests are about more than winning $1000; they boost you
toward ultimate success.
Every entrant receives:
✓
Publishability Index™ feedback with specific recommendations
✓
One opportunity to revise before judging
✓
Editorial collaboration. leading to anthology publication (Finalists only)
STARTS SOON
Free For You
Our
Publishability Index™ (PI)
is a carefully formulated set of standards that covers every dimension of great storytelling. By pinpointing
your work's strengths and weaknesses, this 23-dimension checklist shows what you need to to satisfy readers.
GIVE IT A TRY:
DOWNLOAD BARDSY'S PI
OR
USE INTERACTIVELY
Then, more tools,
like our
Minimal Complete Story (MCS), help you tackle the issues the PI identifies.
We know it's a lot! If you'd like to learn more or work with our pros, you're welcome to attend a workshop
or a Directed Writing Group session. Or, enter our anthology contest to get started.
Elite Membership Delivers
1. A Directed Writing Group
Twice monthly, your group of up to six hand-picked writers gets together online. Uniquely, each group is
facilitated by a successful, traditionally published author who has extensive teaching experience.
Learn More
Members upload 2500 words, about a chapter, two days prior to meeting.
Sessions begin with a short lesson on applying Bardsy's tools to a common issue. After that there's a
round robin, identifying each piece's strengths and weaknesses with an eye toward revision as well as
the broader goal: completing a coherent, satisfying manuscript.
2. One-on-One Personal Coaching
Your facilitator, a published author, is also your personal coach. They meet with you, once a month, to
support your writing and professional endeavors, from process to publication, and beyond to marketing
and social media.
Learn More
Your ongoing personal relationship with one of our coaches can be one of the most exhilarating parts
of the journey, because they have been in your shoes, and succeeded!
On a tear? You and your coach can meet more often, for an additional fee. Ask about our
concierge service.
3. Proven Tools
Bardsy's tools identify your project's strengths and weaknesses at every step of your writing journey.
Not only are they backed by years of research, they are remarkably fun to use.
Learn More
Our
Publishability Index™ is the keystone of our tools that sets a standard for greatness. An
AI-free, 23-dimension rubric, it guides you through the writing, testing and revision of any story.
The
Minimal Complete Story (MCS)
provides a formative overview of your project at any and every point in the
process, helping you maintain synergy and coherence of individual story elements.
Our Continuity and Value Delivery Sheet is a way to test and revise your work based on a linear
accounting of story
events, and the degree to which they flow and build to an engaging climax. Equally important, this
exercise evaluates whether or not you are delivering compelling value in every chapter.
Retelling is a final technique we use to guide revisions, throughout the writing
process. Think of it as a retrospective audit conducted by beta readers in our directed writing
groups, that identifies
key strengths and weaknesses within the work, through insights into readers' subjective experience.
It also lets you know when you're done.
4. Curated Community Membership
Sometimes a coach, or even a small group, isn't enough. You need a network. Behind the support your
fellow group members and coach offer, stands a community of carefully screened writers committed to
bettering their craft and producing compelling novels.
Learn More
We hand screen every member for showing genuine promise with their talent, eagerness to give and
receive kind, constructive feedback and understanding the importance of cooperation, such as
building a social media presence.
With our groups, coaching, community and tools, your progress is
guaranteed.
So, stop f!%*ng around. When you're ready to get serious, we're waiting ...
So, stop f!%*ng around. When you're ready to get serious, we're waiting ...
About Us
Celeste Davidson and Adam Simon founded Bardsy as an alternative to writing sites that bombard talented
writers with false hope, gimmicks and little else. Their passion for great storytelling and compassion
for other writers, as well as abundant experience in publishing and academia, led to the creation of a
writing program that actually works. Bardsy's unique, research-proven method provides support to writers
at every step of the process, from that first, lightbulb moment to a completed manuscript, and beyond.
Learn More
Celeste is the best-selling author of Who Was William Shakespeare? (Grosset & Dunlap) and
One Leaf Rides the Wind (Viking), and several other award-winning titles, including
Julia Morgan Built a Castle (Viking), Snapshots: The Wonders of Monterey Bay
(Viking)
and
The Queen's Progress (Viking), having sold over 600,000 copies, to date.
She has taught creative writing and English literature for over twenty years. Her students know that she speaks from experience, and see her as an empathetic model who offers advice likely to multiply their chances of success.
She has taught creative writing and English literature for over twenty years. Her students know that she speaks from experience, and see her as an empathetic model who offers advice likely to multiply their chances of success.
MIT drop-out, UCLA Ph.D. and former Yale visiting professor, Adam is the author of
The Winning Message (Cambridge University Press), Mass Informed Consent
(Rowman and Littlefield) and over a dozen peer reviewed social science articles, as well as
Bardsy's Social Media Primer with Alex Thieme..
Among his awards are a NSF Graduate Fellowship and a share of a MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. He is known for commitment to his students' success and devotion to coherent storytelling, not to mention an all-consuming love of science fiction and empirical research.
Among his awards are a NSF Graduate Fellowship and a share of a MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. He is known for commitment to his students' success and devotion to coherent storytelling, not to mention an all-consuming love of science fiction and empirical research.
CLICK A TAB TO USE WILL.POWER
TO DO LIST:
Add tasks to your sortable list, then revel in checking them off.
SCRATCHPAD:
Cache your gems as they fall in this always accessible place.
PRIVATE JOURNAL:
Reflect on your process — good, bad and ugly — in your dated diary.
TRACKING:
Measure your progress with key writing metrics, automatically,
TO DO LIST:
Add tasks to your sortable list, then revel in checking them off.
SCRATCHPAD:
Cache your gems as they fall in this always accessible place.
PRIVATE JOURNAL:
Reflect on your process — good, bad and ugly — in your dated diary.
TRACKING:
Measure your progress with key writing metrics, automatically,
ADD DO
Show Dones
Metric:
ADD
Words
Minutes
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