This is a big one! We are grateful to the UBC School of Creative Writing for their offer in support of our fundraiser.

Until Monday, February 23, all donors who contribute to the Geist fundraiser will be entered into a draw to win a FREE seat in the 6-week creative writing course, How to Write a Novel, led by award-winning authors and UBC professors Annabel Lyon and Nancy Lee.

The course, valued at $419, starts March 2, 2026 and runs until April 13, 2026. The start date cannot be changed.

Please note that anyone who donated from January 29, 2026 onward will be included in the draw. Donors of ANY dollar amount are eligible, and the deadline to be entered is Monday, February 23, 2026 at 11:59pm PST. The winner will be announced February 25.

DONATE: geist.com/donate/donate-to-geist-today

How to Write a Novel: Structure and Outline is a 100% online, non-credit, asynchronous course, the first in a series on writing a novel. Open to anyone, any level of experience. No prerequisites required.

You’ll learn:

🖋️ The elements of a successful novel outline and writing plan

🖋️ The dynamics of how character and conflict intersect

🖋️ How to build a story using the architecture of story structure

🖋️ An overview of common story problems and weaknesses

🖋️ How to advance from outlining to writing a draft

Course details: courses.cpe.ubc.ca/browse/ubcv/faculty-of-arts/creative-writing/courses/how-to-write-a-novel-structure-and-outline-march-2026