Creative Mentoring
Photo by Jon Scott
Creativity is both practice and discovery. My mentoring and editing services are designed to help writers and creatives strengthen their voice and refine their craft, bringing their ideas into the world. Whether you’re drafting your first short story, polishing a manuscript, or seeking clarity in your creative process, these offerings provide personalized guidance rooted in story and growth.
Mentoring Packages
Creative Spark — $250
A short-term boost to ignite your ideas
3 mentoring sessions (60 mins each).
Feedback on up to 5,000 words (or one project outline).
A post-session "Action Plan" PDF.
Best For: Writers needing a "gut check" on a new idea or a quick solution to a specific hurdle.
Timeline: Must be completed within 2 months.
The Creative Reset — $450
A specialized program to heal burnout and reclaim your voice.
4 mentoring sessions (60 mins each).
Customized "Creative Play" assignments (non-deadline based).
Mindset coaching and sustainable habit-building strategy.
Note: This package focuses on process rather than production.
Best For: Creatives feeling stuck, exhausted, or disconnected from their joy.
Timeline: Must be completed within 2 months.
Deep Dive — $850
Consistent, focused support for meaningful project progress.
6 mentoring sessions (60 mins each).
Ongoing feedback on up to 25,000 words total (spread across the term).
Strategy sessions on narrative arc or project structure.
Best For: Writers working on a short story collection, a long-form essay series, or a professional portfolio.
Timeline: Must be completed within 4 months.
The Full Journey — $2,400
Comprehensive partnership for your major creative milestone.
12 mentoring sessions (60 mins each).
Full Manuscript Review: Detailed feedback on up to 80,000 words.
Bi-weekly accountability check-ins via email.
Priority scheduling + 48-hour email response window.
Best For: Authors committed to finishing a novel, memoir, or book-length thesis.
Timeline: Must be completed within 8 months.
Add-On Services
Line Editing: $0.03 per word (Min. $150). Focuses on prose, rhythm, and clarity.
Developmental Feedback: $350 (Up to 10,000 words). High-level notes on structure, pacing, and character.
The Power Hour: $150. A one-off strategy call for quick troubleshooting (no pre-reading).
Mentoring and editing sessions are tailored to your goals and creative journey. Packages can be customized to fit your timeline and project needs. To ensure a successful partnership, please review the following standard operating procedures:
Submission Windows: All manuscripts or drafts must be submitted at least 72 hours before our scheduled session to allow for deep reading.
Word Count Caps: Feedback is limited to the word counts specified in each package. Additional reading will be billed at the Add-On rate.
Communication: Email support is for brief clarifications and "wins." Complex creative questions should be saved for our 1-on-1 sessions.
Cancellations: Please provide 24 hours’ notice to reschedule a session. Missed sessions without notice cannot be refunded or rescheduled.
Expiration: Each package has a "Use It or Lose It" timeframe (listed above) to encourage momentum and respect my project scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my writing "good enough" for mentorship?
Absolutely. Mentorship isn't a reward for being "finished.” It’s a tool to help you grow, regardless of where you are starting. I work with everyone from "day one" beginners to seasoned professionals looking for a fresh perspective. The only requirement is a willingness to be curious and open to the process.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. I want these services to be accessible.
Deep Dive can be split into 2 monthly payments.
The Full Journey can be split into 4 installments. A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot in my calendar.
What genres do you work with?
I specialize in fiction, memoir, creative non-fiction, professional storytelling, and academic/professional writing. I also have extensive experience writing successful grants and curriculum. If you are working in a highly technical or niche genre, let’s discuss it during a discovery call to see if I’m the right fit for your vision.
Will you help me get published?
While I cannot guarantee a book deal or an agent (no one can!), I will help you craft the strongest possible manuscript and provide guidance on the publishing landscape. For Full Journey clients, we can use one of our sessions to polish your query letter or book proposal.
What is the difference between Mentoring and Editing?
Editing is about the product; Mentoring is about the person and the process. While I do provide developmental and line feedback, our sessions focus on why certain choices work, how to overcome your specific creative hurdles, and how to build a sustainable writing life.
What happens if I’m still "blocked" during the Creative Reset?
That is exactly what the Reset is for! There is no "failing" a mentorship. If you’re still feeling stuck, we shift our focus. We might spend a session looking at your environment, your routine, or using "low-stakes" creative play to bypass the inner critic. We move at the speed of your recovery.
Can I upgrade my package later?
Of course. If you start with a Creative Spark and realize you want the long-term accountability of a Deep Dive, we can apply your initial investment toward the larger package (provided it is within 30 days of your first session).
What if I have to miss a session?
Life happens! I allow one "emergency" reschedule per package with less than 24 hours' notice. Otherwise, I require 24 hours’ notice to reschedule so I can offer that time to other clients.
Why should I work with you? (Credentials & Experience)
I believe a great mentor is part editor, part strategist, and part cheerleader. My background includes an MFA in Creative Writing from West Virginia Wesleyan College, as well as over two decades of teaching, writing, and publishing experience. You can view some of my own work on the publications page. I’ve spent years helping writers navigate the same hurdles you’re facing now.
Beyond the 'paper' credentials, I have navigated the writing life as a full-time professional and a single mom. I don’t just teach theory; I provide battle-tested strategies from a life lived in the creative arts.