Creative Writing Workshops
I offer presentations and creative writing workshops in a variety of settings.
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Creative Writing for Teens and Adults
I’m available for writing conferences and school and library visits. I’ve met with middle and high school English classrooms, book clubs, and writing groups, in-person and virtual. I speak about my journey from social worker to author, the creation of my debut novel, The Art of Holding On and Letting Go, and the influences that continue to shape my writing.
My writing workshops are customizable to the group and setting. Examples of previous sessions include revision techniques, poetry, and nature/place-based writing.
Previous presentations and workshops have included SCBWI-MI conferences and Shop Talks, Michigan Reading Association conferences, Writing Day Workshops, The National Writing Project podcast, Chicago Young Adult Book Festival, Red Clay Writers Conference (Georgia), Get Inked! Teen Writing Conference (Indiana), and NCTE/ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of National Council of Teachers of English) annual conference.
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Creative Writing for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals:
These workshops introduce social workers and other helping professionals to therapeutic writing for their own self-care and to benefit their clients. We delve into journaling, poetry therapy, short stories, memoir, and more, depending on the group’s interest.
I placed second in the 2019 and 2024 National Poetry Contest for Social Workers and completed the Creative Writing Workshop for Social Workers at the University of Iowa. I’ve led workshops for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-MI), with MSW students and faculty at the University of Michigan, and with physicians and nurses at the annual Oncofertility Consortium conference.
What People are Saying
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Creative Writing Workshop for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals:
“This was a FABULOUS presentation! I've loosely thought about creative writing, both for professional reasons (and therapeutic). I never heard of it specifically in relation to the social work profession before. THANK YOU!!! This was such a refreshing change & inspiring!”
“This was a very engaging presentation. It opens up one's thinking to use professional skills and insights in a new way. Thank you for offering this experience.”
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Creative Writing Workshop for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals::
“Excellent nourishment for the Social Worker's soul!”
“I was pleasantly surprised by this workshop and left feeling inspired to write (or re-write) again. I find it a way to express very deep emotions, thoughts and feelings about our present time.”
“Working with you this year was an incredible experience. You're so talented with your ideas, execution and demeanor. I will hold on to the writing workshop memory for a long time! Thank you again for partnering with us.”
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Middle and High School Author Visits:
“The students were geeked to meet you!”
“We really appreciated having you. Your visit was the perfect blend of presentation (in library) and hands on experience (writing outside). We liked your writing activities and especially introducing them to Mary Oliver. “
* A high school student painted my book cover on a thank-you note. See the photo below. Wow!
