BLAISE ALLYSEN KEARSLEY
Hello, it's me. I know the name looks complicated. I would like to help you with that:
My first name is pronounced BLAZE, my middle name is just ALISON, but with some
different letters, and my last name sounds like KEY-ERS-LEE.
That's it for this first section of my website. It's been pretty demanding already.
[ bio
Blaise Allysen Kearsley is a Black-biracial writer, teacher, and creative coach. Her writing has appeared in Catapult, Longreads, Memoir Land, The Boston Globe Book Review, Midnight Breakfast, The Nervous Breakdown, Oldster, and four anthologies including Nonwhite and Woman: 131 Micro Essays on Being in the World, and Mortified: Real Words. Real People. Real Pathetic.. She wrote for several online outlets dating back to the early aughts that are perhaps not worth mentioning by name and probably don't even exist anymore. She was an artist-in-residence at the Vermont Studio Center and is currently a guest editor for Memoir Land and a contributing editor for Vestal Review, the longest running flash fiction journal on the planet.
Blaise is the creator and producer of How I Learned, a live storytelling/comedy/reading series that ran from 2009 - 2019, with shows in New York and New Orleans. She was a panelist at The Gotham Storytelling Festival and a storyteller at The Moth, Risk!, The Liar Show, Story Collider, The Rejection Show, Literary Death Match, Cringe, Mortified, and Oblivio. In one of her other lives, she used real cameras to take photographs and some of them were published in Gothamist, Playbill, Gawker, JPG, Stereobird, and New York Magazine.
She grew up in the Northeast and is rooted in Brooklyn, but if you need her for something somewhere else, maybe she'll go there.
[ select writing
🜃 The Story of My Father's Hands | Memoir Land, 2023; originally published in Catapult
🜃 Words to Call a Sweater | PEREGRINE, Yellow Arrow Journal, Vol. VII, No. 2, 2022
🜃 A Jet All The Way | Oldster Magazine, 2022
🜃 The First Time It Happened | Nonwhite and Woman, Woodhall Press, 2022
🜃 Finding Oneself in 'Surviving the White Gaze' | The Boston Globe, 2021
🜃 Why Mr. Bauer Didn't Like Me | Longreads, 2019
[ classes + coaching
I prioritize marginalized voices and do my best to consistently cultivate and encourage safe creative spaces for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and all disabled writers. In a better world this might not need emphasis, but here we are. I am always learning.
- 1
The Topgraphy
of Memory:
2-Day Online Intensive
Tuesdays, September 3rd + September 10th, 6:30 - 9:00pm ET
Memory is tricky and vaporous. Even a moment we remember “exactly, like it was yesterday” gradually shifts and morphs. Memory is constantly changing; memory has a mind of its own. So if recall is unreliable and fallible, then why write memoir? Is it just fiction in disguise? How does the brain actually access and translate memories, and if there is so much about the brain that is still unknown how do we attribute meaning to what we think we know?
In this part-talk, part-generative course we'll consider the meaning of the personal narrative, how our writing is both hindered and enhanced by the mechanics of memory, and how we might navigate the gaps of things we’ve forgotten. Through discussion, readings, and results-driven writing prompts, we'll dig around the wiring to find our stories and explore various ways of telling them in spite, or because of, the trickery of remembering.
Day 1: Beliefs, distortions and where memory lives; Day 2: Grappling with gaps, time and changing perspectives
Sponsored by Writing Workshops | $150
2Real People, Real Characters:
2-Day Online Intensive
Thursday, December 5th + December 12th, 7:00 - 9:00pm ET.
Writing about real people, ourselves included, comes with its own set of challenges. How do we translate the people in our lives into fully realized
characters? What might make them come alive? How do we draw them in a
balanced, multi-dimensional way?We'll look at distinctions between
round and flat characters, explore methods of showing personality and
persona, identity, inner conflicts, motivations, and cultural
differences.We'll discuss a variety of approaches to developing
characters and consider craft advice from published writers, and put ideas into practice in real time with generative prompts and exploratory exercises.Sponsored by Writing Workshops | $150
3Intro to Memoir: 10-Week Asynchronous Course + Remote Work Rooms
Thursday, January 9th - March 13th, 2025; Virtual work rooms on Week 1, Week 5 + Week 10 from 7:00 - 9:30pm ET.
Embark on a structured exploration of the art of memoir writing by focusing on a different facet of the craft each week.
From mastering the art of character portrayal to navigating the complexities of time and place, the curriculum is meticulously crafted to cover a wide range of topics essential for memoir writing. Participants will gain access to weekly lessons, recommended readings, and writing prompts that are carefully selected to inspire new work or deepen existing projects. The course emphasizes the importance of drawing multi-dimensional characters, artful descriptions, and the delicate process of mining one’s memory.
Sponsored by Writing Workshops | $625
41 : 1 Coaching
Remote or
Brooklyn
Personalized creative direction and craft guidance for books, essays, or pieces to pitch for publication — or to develop a writing practice and identify your intentions. Sessions can include extensive critical feedback, editing, resources, and writing blocks for accountability, focus, and creative cultivation.
In the universally perpetual quest for accountability and momentum, signing up for 3 sessions is recommended, but tailoring the mentorship for each individual is first and foremost.
This is an independent offering.
Sliding scale and
lower cost options are available for marginalized voices. Payment plans are also an option. Contact me for a free 20-minute consultation.
Subscribe to find out about new and upcoming workshops.
[ things people say
"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)
"Submitting something for publication was one of my goals and that gave me the push I needed to hit the 'send' button." — Genevieve Kingston (Did I Ever Tell You? A Memoir)
"If you're looking for a more tailored workshop experience, this is the place."
— Flash nonfiction workshop participant
"I've taken several workshops over the years, all over the country, and this was by far the best. Blaise is a goddamn treasure."
— Mentee and memoir workshop participant
"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
"I love that the readings center BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ voices. That has been an important and edifying element."
— Kimberly Balsam
"Blaise's feedback is fabulous , thoughtful, insightful, generous, and inspiring."
— Katherine Arnup ("I Don't Have Time For This!": A Compassionate Guide to Caring for Your Parents and Yourself)
"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 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."
— Creative nonfiction 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."
— Creative nonfiction workshop participant
"What Blaise does is so specific and special.
You can't find it in other workshops."
— Jennifer Stewart (Dame Magazine)
"This class has been water in the desert for me."
— Mary Robertson
"Nothing sharpens the mind like presenting personal work to a great, vetted group of writers."
— Ravi Kroesen
"Right after the first class I started paying closer attention to how writers had created 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. 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."
— Two-day intensive participant
"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 (Did I Ever Tell You? A Memoir)
"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)
"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)
"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 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 of being torn apart."
— Personal essay writer and workshop 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 workshop participant
"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)
" 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
"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 workshop participant
"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."
— Creative nonfiction 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
"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
[ silent virtual write-in
This is a free 2 - 3 hour writing block, but you can pop in and out any time. No prompts. Everyone on mute. It's kind of like study hall, but better? Dates and times vary. Sign up for notifications.
[ how i learned
How I Learned is a live reading/storytelling/comedy series created and produced by Blaise Allysen Kearsley. The monthly show was born on the Lower East Side in 2009 and ran for over a decade. We've been on "hiatus" since 2020. Occasional one-off shows in the "future" are perpetually in development.
Past Guests: Ayo Edebiri, Alexander Chee, Aparna Nancherla, Anna Sale, Nick Flynn, Joel Kim Booster, Jami Attenberg, Jeffrey Joseph, Janelle James, Nore Davis, Dodai Stewart, Mike Albo, Abbi Jacobsen, Ilana Glazer, Elliott Glazer, Jo Firestone, David Carr, John Fugelsang, Elna Baker, Dave Hill, Josh Gondelman, Mike Doughty, Maggie Estep, Valley Lodge, Andy Ross, Alex Edelman, Elissa Schappel, Marie Faustin, Ted Travelstead, Sadie Stein, Ophira Eisenberg, Isaac Fitzgerald, Mira Jacob, Rakesh Satyal, Lizz Winstead, Taylor Negron, Sasheer Zamata, Phoebe Robinson, Choire Sicha, Dan Kennedy, Rob Sheffield, Rosie Schaap, Kevin Allison, and more.
Best Comedy Show Hosted By Women
-CBS New York
Best Storytelling Series + Best Reading Series
-Time Out New York
Best in Independent Comedy
-Village Voice
"...Always hilarious, sometimes touching, and without fail entertaining." -Brooklyn Magazine
"A charming host with an irrepressible, humming little laugh that seems to be a compromise she’s made with some wicked guffaw within." -LitWrap
"This show has renewed my faith in this whole storytelling endeavor and what it means in the world." -David Crabb, Host of The Moth
[ get in touch
Top photo: Adam Paul Verity
How I Learned photos: Jesse Chan-Norris + Jon Boulier
Blaise Writers Workshop logo: Andy Ross Creative
© 2024 Bazima Productions