BLAISE  ALLYSEN KEARSLEY

​"Blaise's class made me a stronger writer.

It was the hardest workshop I've ever done, but also one of the most important."

— Jennifer Stewart (Dame Magazine; MFA in Creative Writing)

"Everything this group taught me about specificity, vulnerability and vivid storytelling made a huge difference. I'm so thankful for our eight weeks together." — Genevieve Kingston (NY Times' Modern Love; Author, Did I Ever Tell You?)

"I had to show up for myself and others who counted on me, even when I felt like all I wanted to do was hide under my couch. Being part of this creative group of writers saved me."

— Anna Grundström (Narratively; Adoptee Voices)

"I've taken several workshops over the years, all over the country, and this was by far the best. Blaise is a goddamn treasure."

— Returning advanced CNF workshop participant and mentee

"I love that the readings center BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ voices. That has been an important and edifying element."

— Kimberly Balsam

"Blaise believed in me and my writing and showed me how I, too, can believe in myself and my writing. The level of care she provides for her students is unparalleled."

— Tiffany Yo (Sierra Nevada Review; The Rumpus)

"If you're looking for a more tailored workshop experience, this is the place."

— Flash CNF workshop participant

"Blaise's feedback is fabulous , thoughtful, insightful, generous, and inspiring."

— Katherine Arnup

"Blaise was really able to build a community on Zoom. This is an incredibly difficult thing to do, and she made it seem so easy."

— Memoir + Personal Essay workshop participant

"This is a fantastic format. It's like a tiny focus group for pinpointing the areas of my writing that need further development."

— Memoir + Personal Essay workshop participant

"Blaise is such a skilled reader and editor, and her notes are always valuable. She offers wonderful perspectives and assembles groups of writers with keen perspectives of their own. Highly recommend."

— Returning workshop participant

"What Blaise does is so specific and special.

You can't find it in other workshops."

— Returning workshop participant and mentee

"This class has been water in the desert for me."

— Mary Robertson

"Right after the first class I started paying closer attention to how writers [create] characters and how their desires moved stories forward in shows I was watching and novels I was reading. It made me more mindful of the intentionality behind works I like, which will crystalize even more when I write. The writing samples were all new to me and amazing. I’ve reordered my reading list accordingly."

— CNF intensive participant

"The critique aspect of this course was initially scary. I felt so vulnerable submitting my writing (I quickly realised everyone else did too), but the feedback was invaluable on so many levels. My reading has improved too."

— Write Your Memoir participant

"I didn’t think I would like the in-class writing exercises but I did. I really liked the time constraints and how they forced me to write from the gut."

— CNF intensive participant

"I feel so inspired, enriched, encouraged, and empowered in my writing practice. I've been sitting at my desk since we all logged off just feeling how full of gratitude my heart is—for you, the workshop, and the entire group."

— Adaeze Elechi (Callaloo; Memoir Land)

"I can’t thank you enough. I’d been struggling with overwhelming doubt and your words made such a difference." — Julie S.

"I felt so often in school that I was writing against these very confident men who were forthcoming about the problems within my work and style. Working in your group has been restorative and has allowed me to trust myself without fear."

— Returning advanced CNF workshop participant

" 1.) Your exuberance and contagious laughter made everyone feel more open. 2.) My God, revising is your superpower. The before and after is astonishing and I might frame a page or two. I will take anything of yours I can get a spot for."

— Robert Bond

"I’ve done a couple of other writing courses and nothing comes close to what you’ve created here. You've exposed me to writers I may never have come across. The process has been incredibly empowering."

— Introduction to Memoir participant

"I learned a ton and admired very much the talent, creativity and discipline represented in our class. Blaise, I love your energy, spirit, writing, and way of teaching in community."

— Write Your Memoir participant

"I genuinely looked forward to each week. The advice you gave sent me back out into the world with confidence and purpose."

— Creative Writing 101 participant

"You treat every question with such a genuine desire to give the best possible answer. For someone like me, that means the world."

— Creative Nonfiction 101 participant

"It's always a privilege to work with you. Your work as a writer, teacher, and mentor has had a huge impact on me."

— Jackie Shihadeh

"I want to thank you for not only helping me improve my writing but for the confidence

and practical knowledge I got from your classes to polish and submit my work. Your feedback and mentorship have meant so much to me."

— Flash CNF workshop participant

"Thank you for creating this generous space

for us to try new things and be vulnerable, for the insightful feedback, and for leading us through the last 8 weeks. I'm really grateful."

— Alex Fendrich

"Taking your class on literary nonfiction and receiving your feedback provided value beyond what I could have imagined. See? You can teach an old writer new tricks."

— Dan Fogel (HuffPo)

"What a pleasure it has been to work with you. You're truly the best, and thank you so much for finding time to work with me."

— Jennifer Taylor-Skinner