Workshops 

I teach creative writing in a variety of capacities but regularly lead workshops and seminars around the country. Previous venues have included the Taos Summer Writer’s Conference, the Key West Literary Seminar, the James River Writers Conference and WriterHouse. Please visit my events page for details on upcoming appearances.

For the past few years, I have been a member of the University of Nebraska low-residency MFA Writing Program faculty, and I also teach creative writing at the University of Virginia, James Madison University and Goochland County High School via the dual-enrollment program through JMU. 

Private Mentoring

In addition to the novel writing workshops I teach and the academic programs I work with, I am available for private manuscript consultations and one-on-one mentoring, for select manuscripts and writers. Most of my clients find me via word of mouth or through conferences or writing residencies. The students I work with have enrolled in writing workshops or classes at various schools or organizations and are looking for one-on-one consultation and mentoring to compliment and supplement the classroom environment. I offer a wide-range of services and am happy to design a program based on your needs -- I have worked with writers who are just starting out and are interested in receiving writing prompts and reading assignments, and I have also worked with published authors who hire me to edit their manuscripts before submitting them to their agent or editor. If you would like more information about working with me privately, please get in touch!

Info for Teachers/School Visits

As a former Kindergarten assistant, camp counselor, private nanny, and a current creative writing instructor and fiction professor, I’ve always enjoyed the teaching environment and working with students of all ages. I appreciate the opportunity to connect with readers and students and to encourage the creative process through book discussions, writing exercises, and workshops. School visits allow teachers an opportunity to bring an author into the classroom, discuss the elements of fiction, participate in writing exercises, and explore the tools and tasks required to engage in a creative career path.  But not only do visits benefit the school, they also allow the author an opportunity to connect personally with readers which inspires and motivates my creative energy – and for that, I am always grateful to receive an invitation for an author visit. There are a variety of ways for me to connect with classrooms, and though geography may pose a challenge, there are often opportunities to merge a school visit with a bookstore or book club appearance. 

A school visit generally allows time for one large assembly talk or reading, a Q&A, and a signing. While these events are always enjoyable, I tend to prefer allowing time during my visit to work in the classroom environment as well, which provides a more intimate exchange and can include a craft talk, a hands-on writing workshop, or a book club discussion. My goal is to design a program with solid curriculum-related content, and I am more than happy to work with teachers in advance to ensure my visit gives students and instructors information or skills they can apply directly in the classroom.

Alternatively, I am also available to connect virtually with schools and libraries.

In addition, I always welcome the opportunity to meet with book-clubs. 

For scheduling and fee inquiries, please contact Liz Kossnar at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.