About Coaching

During coaching sessions, I help individual students hone manuscripts to their maximum potential. I work with students on all types of manuscripts, including novels, short stories, memoirs, essays, and other nonfiction projects.

Coaching includes line editing and extensive margin comments as well as one-on-one meetings (in person, by phone, or by video chat) to discuss revision strategies and brainstorm ideas for current and future projects.

I tailor my private coaching to the needs of each client. For instance, in addition to commenting on works-in-progress, I can develop exercises to help rethink plotlines, characters, etc. in existing stories and/or to help generate new story ideas. I also work with clients to develop a consistent writing schedule and to set firm yet realistic deadlines for manuscript completion. For example, I have worked with clients using a mentoring contract that commits them to a writing schedule.

My main objective is to figure out the methods best suited to help you meet your writing goals.

For more information about private coaching policies, please click here or email me at colette@colettesartor.com.

About Classes

Workshops

The goal of my workshops is to help writers discover why they write and what inspires them in a supportive, enthusiastic environment. General Workshops are 8 eight classes and limited to 6 students or fewer unless otherwise specified in Enrollment, below. Each class includes inventive writing exercises to help generate new story ideas and rigorous manuscript critiques (both oral and written) that examine characterization and craft issues (e.g., voice, point of view, structure, plot, setting, detail, theme). In General Workshops, students will have the opportunity to workshop 2 manuscripts, which can be novel excerpts, short stories, memoir excerpts, personal essays, or other creative nonfiction. Specialized workshops will state the number of class meetings and as well as the number of manuscripts students will workshop in the description listed in Enrollment, below.

Seminars

Seminars address craft topics such as character, point of view and voice, plot and structure, setting and detail, and storymapping. Seminars generally are 2 hours long and limited to 10 students. Each seminar explores a specific craft topic through an examination of published works that includes both lecture and discussion. The objective of seminars is for students to leave with a deeper understanding of how to effectively employ a particular aspect of craft in their own work.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT CLASSES

‪FAQs – Classes

What do classes cost?

An 8-week General Workshop costs $500 per student. A 2-hour seminar costs $100 per student, depending on subject matter. Prices of other workshops and seminars vary depending on length and/or subject matter.

How do I apply to and enroll in a workshop?

To apply to a workshop, please click on the enrollment button below the workshop description and fill out the enrollment form, including a writing sample. The writing sample should be the no longer than the length stated in the workshop description and must be properly formatted (.doc or .docx, double-spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman, left justified, 1 inch margins, page numbered). Once I have reviewed your writing sample, I will email you about whether you have been accepted into the class. If you are accepted, this will be your enrollment confirmation email and will contain payment instructions.

Once you receive your enrollment confirmation email, you must enroll in the workshop by paying within 2 days of the date of the enrollment confirmation email in order to reserve your spot.

After I have received your payment, I will email you about the class location, workshop policies (e.g., manuscript requirements, submissions, critiquing guidelines), and any first assignment.

How do I enroll in a seminar?

To apply to a workshop, please click on the enrollment button below the seminar description and fill out the enrollment form. I will then send an enrollment confirmation email to confirm that space is still available and containing payment information.

Once you receive your enrollment confirmation email, you must enroll in the seminar by paying within 2 days of the date of the enrollment confirmation email in order to reserve your spot.

After I have received your payment, I will email you about the seminar’s location and any readings for the seminar.

What is your payment policy?

Workshops require a $100 non-refundable enrollment fee, which is included in the course fee. Seminars require a $30 non-refundable enrollment fee, which is included in the course fee. To reserve your spot, you must pay for all workshops and seminars within 24 hours of receiving your enrollment notification email.

After you enroll in a workshop or seminar, you have up to 5 days before the start date to drop it and receive a refund (minus the enrollment fee). After the 5-day grace period, you will not be eligible for a refund, no matter how many meetings you attend.

Students who pay by check are responsible for any fees incurred for returned checks.

Where do classes meet?

Workshops and seminars are conveniently located in the SoRo area of West Los Angeles. Once you register for the class, I will email you the address.

What is your privacy policy?

I am committed to respecting your privacy. I will never sell or rent your mailing address, email address, or any other data that can personally identify you in any way to an outside group. In order to pay online, you must first email me as set forth above. I will not share your email address with anyone. Once I confirm your enrollment as set forth above, you must pay for the class online by providing your credit card information. I do not store this information and will never share it with a third party.

What if I have other questions?

Please feel free to contact me at colette@colettesartor.com.