Start a Lifelong Writing Habit
Join Essay Club, a community that publishes by the 1st of every month.
Most writing practices fizzle out. Routines become mechanical, groups dissolve, and even after intensive courses, the majority of writers stop publishing within a year. Since 2024, I've been iterating on what it takes to build a writing community that lasts. Many members have now been publishing monthly for over a year. The difference is the structure.
The idea is simple: a shared monthly cadence within an always-on community. Each month, you set your goal—ambitious, relaxed, or experimental—and publish by the 1st. Essay Club gives you everything you need to follow through: weekly calls, async feedback, a book club (for essays), unlimited access to the Essay Architecture app, and a "publish party" where your work gets read by the group.
While Essay Architecture teaches the patterns of great essays, Essay Club helps you build a practice so you can integrate what you learn. Writing is a long game— things didn't click for me until I was 3 years in. My goal here is to build a craft-focused writing group so we can all build and sustain momentum together.
What's Included
Monthly Accountability
Share your goal each month and publish by the 1st. We track streaks to make deadlines real.
Member Portal
Exchange drafts, find resources, and see what's getting published in the group.
Unlimited Feedback
Upload drafts to the Essay Architecture app as often as you want (typically $9/draft).
Weekly Zoom Calls
Fridays at 3pm ET (plus other slots). Exchange drafts, talk through ideas, or write together.
A Book Club for Essays
I share 4 essays/month (new & old). We talk about them the last Monday of the month, 7pm ET.
25k-Word Textbook
The complete Essay Architecture curriculum: 40 posts on patterns, elements, and dimensions.
Annual Strategy Call
60-minute 1:1 with Michael Dean, to talk through your writing, your process, and your goals.
Monthly Publish Party
We meet on Zoom to read through everything we published. Your work gets read by the club.
How It Works
Set Your Monthly Goal
Check in at the start of the month and share your goal on the "This Month" page. Share the one essay you want to focus on most.
Use Essay Club to Sharpen Your Draft
Join calls, share drafts for feedback, ask for advice in the forum, and use the Essay Architecture app. Each month may unfold differently, but they all end the same: with publishing.
Publish by the 1st
Publish your original goal, pivot, or publish something smaller—anything with a URL keeps your streak alive. Your work gets read by the group.
Our Values
Join Essay Club
I'm an essayist, and this is my attempt to build the community I want to be part of. I'm in the trenches with you, publishing by the 1st each month. Writers of all skill levels are welcome—the only ask is that you commit to show up, publish, and pursue quality alongside others. The goal is to create an oasis for writers within an Internet that is getting increasingly sloppified. Our format and technology will keep evolving towards the end of helping more writers sustain long-term publishing habits. That's why this is an annual membership. Payment is handled through the Founding Member tier on my Substack, and you get to keep your annual rate even if prices increase in the future.
Questions?
If you have questions about Essay Club, need help, or want to share feedback, reach out anytime.