Creative Nonfiction Mentorship

Many writers reach a stage when their work calls for a concentrated dose of personal attention. A mentorship can be a way to accelerate the writing process, to burst through blocks, and to move a project forward.

Instructor Kerry Muir says, “I love helping writers identify the major themes in their work, find the unique persona in their writing voice, and bring three-dimensional, real-life ‘characters’ vividly to life on the page. More than anything, I love to help writers find joy in the work, embrace taking risks with language and form, and most importantly, speak their own truth.”

Over a nine-week period, you’ll submit three packets of work for comprehensive, individualized feedback from Kerry. Each “packet” will consist of: 1) 4,000 - 5,000 words (of a memoir, personal essay, lyric essay, nonfiction hybrid) for in-depth written feedback from Kerry; 2) a small critical engagement with select reading assignments in creative nonfiction (which Kerry will provide) and which will foster close-reading skills and inform creative practice; and 3) a small “letter” to be addressed to Kerry, in which students can pose any relevant questions, concerns or reflections about the writing process or craft.

Intermediate writers and above recommended.