The First Draft Club

The only thing standing between you and a finished romance novel is consistent writing. You’ll find that here.

We meet every Wednesday from 5 pm – 7 pm EST via Zoom.

$49 CAD + tax per month. Cancel anytime.

Join the Club
Heather Deveaux sitting in a yellow chair against a book shelf
Heather Deveaux | Romance author and writing coach

Want to write a romance novel? Then you need to show up and write.

The First Draft Club is a weekly virtual writing community for aspiring romance authors who are serious about finishing their novel. It’s not a course. There’s no curriculum to keep up with, no deadlines to meet, and no pressure to write at anyone else’s pace but your own.

It’s a dedicated time and place to write, with a 12x published author in the room writing alongside you, coaching available when you need it, and a community of people who get it because they’re doing it too.

Your romance novel only gets finished if you write it. And writing is what this membership is all about.

Join the Club
Heather Deveaux writing in a notebook, start and finish a romance novel

Consistency is the difference between an idea and a finished first draft.

Heather Deveaux sitting at a table against a white background smiling at her laptop
Heather Deveaux sits on a brown leather couch with her legs crossed wearing a yellow cardigan, white shirt and jeans.
The First Draft Club

How the Weekly Writing Sessions Work

The First Draft Club is a membership writing practice for established and aspiring romance writers who want the support and guidance of an experienced author in a safe community. It’s a virtual experience, delivered via Zoom every Wednesday from 5 pm – 7 pm EST.

Each session includes warm up activities, writing time and coaching to keep you moving.

Each week, you’ll leave The First Draft Club having written more of your book. Maybe you’re just scribbling words on a page, or typing up a draft, or editing a paragraph. Whatever it is, you’ll leave having made more progress than you would on your own.

Supported focus

The first 30 minutes of every writing session is designed to help you zero in on the task at hand: writing. You’ll begin with fresh prompts and warm up your writing practice without pressure.

Writing with others

The next 90 minutes are designed to give you the space you need to write. We co-work as a group, everyone working on their own manuscript, at different levels and speeds. It’s not a contest or a race. You do you.

Coaching when you need it

During your writing time, you’ll be able to tag me in to get coached on areas where you feel stuck. Ask questions, get feedback, find your direction and get back to writing.

The First Draft Club is a community of romance writers and aspiring writers who:

Want to write a book

You’ve been wanting to write your romance novel for a while. Maybe you’ve been picking at it over the years, but can’t seem to find a rhythm that works for you.

Have trouble writing consistently

You’ve tried timers. You’ve tried checklists. You’ve tried word trackers. You know if you could keep showing up, your book would get written.

Keep starting but never finish

You want the accountability of a writing group to keep you coming back for more. You want to have someone to support you when you’re feeling stuck.

Meet your writing coach

Heather Deveaux

I’ve written and published 7 romance novels, including 2 complete trilogies, and 5 non-fiction titles over the last decade. I’m also a certified coach, trainer, and facilitator with a Master of Adult Education degree, which means I know how to meet you where you are, support you along the way, and give you what you need to succeed.

While other people will tell you that writing is a talent you’re born with, I know it’s a skill you can learn. I know how to help you begin and I can show you how to keep the momentum going without getting down on yourself for thinking you have a creativity problem.

My approach is simple: writing is problem solving. I’ll show you how to think about it that way, and I’ll be right there with you every Wednesday proving it.

Heather Deveaux sits at a desk smiling at her laptop wearing a white sweater and holding a pen to a notebook.

That book isn’t going to write itself.

Show up every week. Write. That’s how to finish writing a romance novel. It’s that simple.

Create a consistent writing practice and finally finish your book.

Membership $49 CAD + tax per month

Cancel anytime. No contracts, no pressure, no timelines. Write your book at your own pace, with consistency and support.

Join the Club

F.A.Qs

The First Draft Club is about creating consistency in your writing practice, but life happens. If you miss a week, simply show up the following week and keep going.

For consistency, The First Draft Club sessions are delivered virtually via Zoom every Wednesday from 5 pm – 7 pm EST. Please block this time on your calendar to ensure you are available and investing in your consistent writing practice.

Not at all. The First Draft Club is for writers at every stage, whether you have three chapters done or just an idea you’ve been sitting on for years. If you want to kickstart your romance novel writing journey, consider registering for an upcoming Write Now Retreat. Otherwise, you’re welcome to join the club at anytime.

Yes, it is for romance authors and aspiring romance authors who want a safe space to do their writing practice and develop consistency with someone who has been there and done that.

You can continue to edit and prepare your book for publication in the club. There are several post-draft tools available to help you self-publish or seek traditional publishing options. You can always start another book too or bring other writing projects to the sessions. The time is yours to keep your writing practice alive.

This isn’t a course. There’s no homework, no grades, no curriculum to keep up with. It’s a supported writing practice. You’re not here to learn about writing. Joining the club means giving your writing practice the attention it deserves. That book won’t write itself, after all.

No hard feelings if you want to cancel your membership in The First Draft Club. Simply email heatherdeveaux@gmail.com before your next billing date and you’ll have until the end of your billing cycle to continue to attend writing sessions.