New: Online Virtual Writing Sessions
Some news! I’ll be hosting online writing sessions via Zoom on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the rest of the year. At the moment of me writing this, that's 10 Sundays. 20 hours. You can get something done in that!
Here’s how it will work:
You: Become a paid subscriber to my Substack newsletter, Settling. (That's $5 a month or $50 a year.) I have fun things to read in there, too, including tons of thoughts about writing. Some people have even called it "elegant."
Me: I'll send you a Zoom link via the newsletter on Friday or Saturday. On Sunday, click it at 9 a.m. ET. (Or a little later if necessary; it’s all good.) Be in a comfy spot, have some coffee/tea/water/snacks, and be ready to write. I’ll take us through a little conversation about what we’re working on (you can share or not), offer some guidance/inspirational advice, answer any pressing writing questions, and then we’ll turn off our cameras and sound and go until 11 a.m., when the Zoom session will end. (If people are still there at the end—yes, you can leave early if needed—we can talk about how it went before we sign off.)
Some questions you may have:
What if I’m still wearing my PJs and haven’t brushed my hair? Amazing, love it, I might be right with you.
Can I get up and take breaks and pee and stuff? Yes! This is not punishment!
Can I work on something that’s not writing? Sure. Do whatever is going to help you through the week (and maybe give you writing time later).
Do I have to know what I’m writing/doing? Absolutely not. You can wing it, I can provide a prompt if you ask, or maybe something will just spark and you’ll be off in writing land. If you do have something that is already in progress, that’s great too.
Jen, why are you doing this? It has been hugely valuable for me to cowrite with people online. I started doing this through Accountability Workshops, where most mornings I join an Early Birds group and write from 6 to 8 a.m. ET. (Shout out to AW; they’re great!) Writing every morning has given me a beautiful community, a stronger connection to my work, more consistency/momentum in writing, and honestly, it just makes me feel better throughout the day. Because I’m a nice person, I want you to have that, too. (Also, I think if we all spent a little time writing, we might save the world.)
What if I want in but don’t want to be on Substack? Send me an email. We’ll work something out.
Love this idea, but can't make Sunday. Are you hosting other days? As a matter of fact, maybe! Currently taking requests, let me know what day/time you might prefer and I'll see if I can make it happen.
One-on-One Consulting
Sometimes you just need to run ideas past someone to get some grounding and keep going. Other times you have thornier issues to attend to and aren’t quite sure how to see your way through a piece, or even an entire novel. Sometimes you need a read and feedback; sometimes you’re stuck and need a reminder you’re not alone.
Whatever you’re facing, I can help! I’ve been there. I have more than two decades of writing and editing experience across books, magazines, and a range of digital publications. I’ve written fiction and memoir and published essays in publications including New York, the Atlantic, and the New York Times. I’ve done my share of reporting, and I’ve worked as a professional editor for several decades.
I’m now offering editorial consultations in 30, 60, and 90-minute increments, which you can book via Calendly. I also offer hourly rates and packages for longer-ranging projects and coaching. Get in touch by email to discuss your situation and how I can help you.
Sample Offerings
• 1:1 online coaching sessions focusing on what you need most in your creative life and work. This may include editorial feedback, goal-setting, status updates/accountability help, project management, creative inspiration, puzzling out a tricky draft or complicated writing issue, and more.
• Close reading and high-level editing/feedback (in document and/or in conversation) on drafts of your choosing, focusing on themes, structure, plot, story, characterization, and narrative purpose. If you’re at a place where you feel like you’ve taken a work as far as you can and aren’t sure what to do next, reach out.
* Prior to you sending a draft out for submission, a line-edit with suggestions for clarity/word choice/finessing/sense, as well as suggestions on cutting for word count as needed.
• Assistance in considering themes and concepts from drafts for a possible larger work.
• Help with proposal drafting.
• Help with book, essay, and story development.
• Query letter reads and feedback.
• Advice on where to send pieces or queries and celebration upon submission, no matter the results! (Because getting your words into the world is a positive step, regardless.)
• Virtual cowriting sessions (see above).
• Guidance when it comes to the world of publishing and how it works.
• Something else in the books and writing world got you stuck? Talk to me.