Our writing apprenticeship is challenging. It’s challenging because the industry is challenging.

To become a full-time professional fiction writer is a monumental aspiration. It takes more than a few videos and a little trial and error. This goal will require all of you.

In their second year, apprentices have to do a “master project.” They get to pick what they’re going to do, but there are a few rules.

1. It has to combine skills they’ve learned from multiple disciplines
2. It has to involve managing other people
3. It has to have Kingdom benefit

So they can’t just publish their own manuscript for the project, that wouldn’t satisfy the requirements. They have to do more than one job, and they have to give opportunities to other people.

Of course we’ve trained them how to do all of these things before they begin. But it’s a big deal to bring them together into one big project.

Last year, Vella Karman produced the Fantastical Summer anthology for her master project, which is now on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4hIuItY (free for Kindle Unlimited members!).

And Noah J. Matthews started “A Curiously Good Podcast” for The Pearl. You can find that on any podcast app or check it out here.

These aren’t throwaway projects. These are real, cool things with lasting impact that bring value to the Kingdom.

They also give these apprentices a chance to show off. They’re not the same shy person they were before, they can do lots of cool stuff.

This year, Lucy Grecu is launching a print literary magazine for her master project. The Abalone will be part of The Pearl. This magazine will put great short stories and essays into the hands of the deeply curious.

Lucy is not just a great writer, she’s also a gifted artist—drawing mostly. The magazine will incorporate her writing and her artwork.

But it will also incorporate the work of others.

Lucy will manage the whole production—selection, editing, design, distribution—the works.

And she’s going to do a great job.

She needs your help though. In order to make an awesome magazine, she needs you to submit some awesome writing. You can learn more about that and get started here.

Lucy is specifically looking for “Creative Nonfiction.” If that’s a new term for you, don’t worry, it’s not at all hard. In fact, you’re probably already doing it.

To help, I wrote two articles and published them to my own website:

“What is Creative Nonfiction?” Article | Video

“Three writing methods to get your CNF started” Article | Video coming soon (subscribe on YouTube)

Creative Nonfiction (CNF) is one of my favorite genres. It allows us to see and understand the world through someone else’s eyes.

It’s mostly just a true story or an essay, but with something that makes it more fun or interesting.

Please pray for Lucy as she works through this project. It’s a big project with lots of parts to think about and manage.

And please submit, it truly won’t be the same without you.

Our apprentices learn so much here. And they work so hard to do it.

I love that these “master projects” give them a chance to really run with their new skills. But I especially appreciate the opportunity they have to bring something real, something cool, and something Kingdom-minded to life.

We could use more of that kind of thing in the world right?

So go check out Lucy’s project. Take a risk and submit something.

Thanks for being a part of The Company. Thanks for cheering on these apprentices who are putting all on the line for the Kingdom.

P.S. Want to become one of our esteemed apprentices? We’re now accepting applications for fall 2026. Learn more and apply here.

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