Do you have a book burning a hole in your heart? In this 9-month course, author and educator Callie R. Feyen will serve as your guide, offering sage advice and encouragement to help you bring your dream of writing a book to life.
Callie’s teaching is a nurturing balm for my writer soul. Her wise questions and gentle probing leave me feeling encouraged and, most importantly, motivated to KEEP GOING. My writing and I are both better because I invested in learning from Callie. – Kaitlin Rogers Perez
With weekly prompts, monthly workshops, and check-ins, you’ll receive rich and personalized instruction from Callie. She will offer regular, in-depth feedback, supporting you as you build your book from the ground up. If you’ve always wanted to write the story of your life but haven’t been sure how to begin, this course is for you.
I took a workshop with Callie Feyen in 2019 about the making of a heroine. Four years later, I am still writing from the things I wrote with her then and finding new ways to develop them. She drew things out from me that I didn’t know were there. – Megan Willome, author of The Joy of Poetry, and Rainbow Crow: poems in and out of form.
“One of Callie’s strengths is finding potential for book-length projects. I typically write in short-form nonfiction, both because of time constraints and (let’s face it) my own lack of confidence. Callie helped me build out a full skeleton of a memoir, with chapter summaries and evertyhing. I had gone to her for help with an essay I couldn’t seem to ‘land,’ and she gently nudged me further: ‘This could be a book!’ – and someday, I believe it will.” –Adrienne Garrison, M.ED., MFA, writer and podcaster
WHAT YOU GET:
- Monthly 90 minute workshops
- You’ll learn and apply concepts and techniques of Creative Nonfiction that will help you write — and share — your story
- These sessions will be live and recorded
- 45 minute one-on-one session with Callie monthly
- Discuss your writing
- Receive individualized instruction and written feedback
- Monthly cohort check-ins
- Discuss writing process, challenges, and share your work
- In-depth written feedback on your monthly writing packet
- Poetry and picture book prompts that ignite imagination and creativity
- A Story Slam Celebration (via Zoom) in May
- This two hour celebration will be open to friends and family
- You’ll read from a portion of your manuscript
Ideal Applicant: Motivated and proficient creative nonfiction writers with a clear concept for a book. No formal writing experience required. Space is limited in order to keep the cohort size small and intimate, and allow writers to take significant steps in completing their manuscript. Learn more about the application process and apply here.
LENGTH: September 4, 2023- May 31, 2024.
COST: $2250 ($250/month; discounted $2,000 if paid at once)
“Writers know when they’ve written a snippet of golden prose, but we don’t often see our flaws, especially on larger projects, which can get unwieldy. Working with Callie helped me not only see the places my writing could improve, but showed me how to improve – and she did it in a way that produced hope, not discouragement.” –Benjamin Vrbicek, pastor and author
“I hired Callie to edit my entire manuscript. Trust me when I say: she’s the real deal.” –Ashlee Gadd, author of Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood, and creator of Coffee + Crumbs
Applications are due August 10, 2023. Apply here.
When you work with Callie Feyen you become a better writer, but you also become a better reader and noticer and storyteller. You become a better person through Callie’s questions, feedback, and spirit that brings forth the stories that need to be told. Callie knows how to ask the right questions. She knows what it takes to birth stories and she’s there with you every step of the way. – Kimberly Knowle-Zeller, writer and co-author, The Beauty of Motherhood
I started working with Callie at a time when I knew my writing – and my writer self – needed some care, but I wasn’t sure exactly how to find it. Callie immediately discerned what I needed and helped me get started on a project I would not have the courage to begin otherwise. She is a fantastic teacher, not only because she understands writing and literature, but because she teaches with heart and offers herself. She has provided me with great ideas and generous encouragement (plus gentle nudges and occasional dares). I’m so thankful for the chance to have learned from her.” – Jenna Brack
FAQ:
Do I need to have a background in writing to apply for this program?
You do not need any specific background in writing or publishing history to apply. You need a seed of an idea, a commitment to the group, and a willingness to grow.
Will I really have a complete manuscript by the end of the 9-month program?
Heart to Page will resource you with the knowledge, inspiration, feedback, and encouragement to write a book-length project. As with all writing endeavors, the end result is up to the author alone. But I will be there to cheer you on and support you every step of the way.
What will I be required to submit each month?
Each month, writers will submit 8-10 pages of Creative Nonfiction, along with a one page letter summarizing and commenting on any reading they did that month. Callie will give in-depth written feedback on each packet.
About how many hours/week should I expect to spend on this program?
Weeks will fluctuate depending on deadlines, but plan for 5-10 hours of work/week.
Can I see a schedule of all of the meetings in advance?
Sure! Here’s a calendar for the first 3 months:
What if I have to miss a monthly workshop?
Workshops will be recorded and can be watched at a later time.
What if I can’t commit to the nine months? Can I still take part in the first month or two?
This program was modeled upon graduate level coursework in creative writing. Due to the limited spots available, only applicants able to commit for the nine months will be considered.
How many writers will be accepted?
This workshop is open to 8 writers.
What if I get behind?
Callie will offer a 1 month extension on the program for participants facing significant barriers to completing the program. If the school year-long commitment isn’t a good fit right now, consider joining us in the future or working with Callie in this Portfolio Review instead.
Is there a payment option?
There is an annual and monthly payment option. Annual payment is offered at a significant discount.
