Anna Quinn

Services Offered

Step-by-step guidance in writing a novel or memoir from start to finish.
 
Techniques to:
  • shape and structure your novel or memoir.
  • layer and deepen the elements of voice, emotion, point of view, exposition, dialogue, setting, sensory imagery, theme exploration.  
  • self-edit and revise
           
Coaching to navigate doubt and uncertainty and become a more confident writer.
 
Strategies to:
  • navigate doubt, imposter syndrome, rejection and perfectionism.
  • build self-trust, self-confidence and risk-taking.
  • encourage writing from a loose, unrestrained, joyous place.
 
Working Style
I deeply understand the exciting, messy, absorbing, confusing, vulnerable, fascinating journey of writing—it’s extremely emotional and intellectual work. My whole intention in working with writers is to encourage their unique voice and style, draw out the essence and strength of their writing, and to offer compassionate, constructive feedback to further deepen their writing skills and experiences.
 
Availability
I’m available year-round, for either weekly, bi-weekly or monthly meetings. I can meet in-person, on zoom, phone or email. Prior to our or our initial consultation, I offer a free fifteen-minute phone or zoom conversation.

Rates: $75/hr

Anna Quinn is the author of The Night Child, (Blackstone, 2018) listed as #1 Best Real Psychological Fiction on Goodreads, and Ingram’s 2018 Best Book Group Book. Her second novel, Angeline, (Blackstone 2023) is a 2024 Foreword Review Winner and was nominated for a Washington State Book Award. Her work has garnered blurbs from Meg Waite Clayton, Luis Alberto Urrea, Elizabeth George, Pam Houston, Melissa Febos, Lidia Yuknavitch, Library Journal, and more. Quinn’s writing has appeared in Psychology Today, New York Times Book Review, Medium, Writer’s Digest, and the Alone Together Anthology. She’s been a writing instructor for three decades and is the former co-founder of The Writers’ Workshoppe.
    

Samantha Ladwig

I'm currently available for one-on-one essay consultations that involve writing, editing, and/or pitching. Below is a breakdown of services, rates, and a bit about my working style.

Connecting with a writer and their work is essential to a consultation. Before committing to a project, I will ask you a few questions to find out more about you, your work, and what you're hoping to gain from our time together. Depending on the type of consultation, I might also ask for a writing sample to get a better sense of the writer.
​
Services Offered
  • Essay Identification
  • Developmental Editing
  • Pitching and Submission Guidance
  • Career Advice/Motivation/Accountability

Essay Identification:​ ($40 per half hour): Or, finding the essay within the experience. Our time together will be spent cracking open the experience(s) you'd like to write about to reveal the essay within it as well as your unique perspective.

Developmental Editing: ($80 per essay, up to 8 pages double spaced; $45 per half hour, one-on-one consultation to discuss feedback): Rates are flexible depending on needs. This consultation is for those with a work in progress, whatever stage it may be in. I will provide comments throughout your draft, a letter of feedback on the overall work, and if you'd like to add it, the half hour, one-on-one meeting.

Pitching and Submission Guidance: ($35 per pitch; $40 per half hour, one-on-one consultation): Help with identifying publications and pitching your proposed or completed piece. We'll go over best practices, strategies, and how to write about your work.

Career Advice/Motivation/Accountability: ($40 per half hour): This consultation is for writers of all levels and can involve anything from how to write through a rut, how to break into publishing, general accountability work, reformatting your essay for different publications, maintaining motivation, etc.

Samantha Ladwig is an essayist, creative writing instructor, and book reviewer based on a small island in the Salish Sea. Her work has been published by The Cut, Literary Hub, Vulture, Bustle, Vice, Real Simple, HuffPost, and Vox, among many others. Find her at samanthaladwig.com.

Faith Pray

Services Offered (customized to your goals & timeline):
  • Creativity coaching 
  • Picture book writing critique (1 picture book text, up to 600 words)  
  • Illustration / portfolio critique 
  • Picture book writing + illustrating critique (for 1 picture book with text + illustrations)

I’m happy to meet with you about your children’s book writing, illustrating, or just about your creative journey. After we connect about your needs, I will offer advice, critique, helpful tools, or ideas to help you work on your creative goals. 

​Working Style:
As an art maker, tactile learner, and mom of four, I take a playful approach to writing. I want to be a voice of courage and creativity for writers, and for illustrators, especially those interested in making children’s books. Thanks to my own experience of finding a way through post-traumatic writer’s block, I can offer tools and creative ideas to hopefully help you break through stagnant writing spaces. I am available to meet with you at any stage of a project, especially related to picture books - early-stage ideas, drafting, revisions, and preparing for submission. 

Before we get started, I’ll ask for information on what you are hoping to receive, and depending on what you need,  I'll ask you to assemble text, or art, a list of goals, etc, and we will go from there.   

Rates: 
  • $50 per critique (via email)     
  • $90 per 1 hour meeting (in person, zoom, or phone) 

Faith Pray (yes, that’s her name, by marriage) is an award-winning children’s book author-illustrator from Port Townsend, Washington. After a stroke left her struggling to find her writing self again, Faith set out to tell stories through art as a form of therapy, and has since written and illustrated six books, plus more in the works. Faith is the author-illustrator of PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MIRA, THE STARKEEPER, THE DAY WE GOT LOST, and the illustrator of FINDING GRATEFUL by Dianne White, ONE DAY by Joanna Ho, and ONCE UPON A TIMELY by Lynn Parrish Sutton. Faith’s latest book THE DAY WE GOT LOST is set in the Pacific Northwest woods and is an ode to free spirits and adventure lovers everywhere.

Lilah Clay

Services Offered
 
Manuscript Consultation:  All stages, whether you're at the concept, or in-progress, or the work is complete.  Full-length reading of work and editorial support.  I focus on content, structure, pacing, emotional depth, dialogue, character development, and so forth. 
 
Editing for Shorter Projects:  Essays, short stories, poems, screenplays, etc.
 
Freelance Writing: Tell me about the creative writing assignment you have in mind.
 
Availability
My schedule is fairly open to assist you longterm.  I'm happy to meet up in person in Port Townsend, or via zoom, or email.
 
Rate:  $45 / hour. 
 
Working Style
 Less is more.  I like to help simplify, help you reach the heart of the matter on paper,  sharpen and shine your wondrous work.  The writer's life—we're all in this together.
 
Lilah Clay is a poet and writer.  Her poetry has been published in several journals including World Literature Today, Chicago Quarterly Review, The Bitter Oleander, with work forthcoming from Amsterdam Review, Panorama, and others.  She has lectured in creative writing classes at UHMaui College and has spent the last twenty-five years writing and editing manuscripts of poetry, memoir, and literary fiction. ​

Nicole J. Persun

​Services Offered:

Coaching and editing for short story writers, novelists, and long-form memoirists.
​
Coaching: This is my favorite way to support you. One-on-one, personalized accountability coaching, with craft and publishing advice that’s specific to you. This service is great if you…
  • struggle with motivation, writer’s block, and/or confidence and want to cultivate healthier writing habits.
  • feel alone on your writing journey and need a knowledgeable cheerleader.
  • want to improve your craft with personalized tips, resources, and feedback.
  • need solid publishing advice based on your project, publishing goals, and wildest dreams.
 
Big-Picture Manuscript Reviews: I offer high-level editing services for authors looking to “gut check” their manuscript before they send it out to agents or publishers. With this service, you’ll receive feedback based on craft and genre, plus suggestions for how to stand out in today’s competitive publishing market.
 
Query and Synopsis Reviews: Need help writing a query letter and one-page synopsis in your pursuit of a publishing deal? Do you want to learn more about the publishing industry, the pros and cons of traditional versus self-publishing, and how to submit your manuscript for publication? After a decade of working directly with agents, editors, and other industry professionals, I deeply understand the ins and outs of publishing. I look forward to sharing my insider knowledge with you!
 
Working Style:
I wholeheartedly believe that every writer has the capacity to achieve their dreams, and this belief is what fuels my passion for coaching writers. When coaching, my goal is to inspire, empower, motivate, and—most importantly—provide you with practical tools to cultivate a healthier relationship with your creativity. When reviewing manuscripts, I offer kind, thoughtful, and constructive feedback to elevate your unique voice and storytelling; my advice comes from a deep knowledge of craft and extensive industry experience. Wherever you are on your writing journey, I’ll provide personalized support to help you reach your highest aspirations. I’m here to remind you to dream big!
 
I’m available to talk on the phone, via Zoom, and face-to-face in Port Townsend.
 
Rates:
$130 per 1-hour coaching session. This includes check-ins and feedback via email between sessions to keep you on track, plus light track-changes for ongoing story coaching.
 
Query and synopsis reviews are $165. These include a 1-hour call, along with two rounds of track-changes via email.
 
Manuscript review rates vary by project—please inquire!
 
Nicole J Persun is an award-winning and bestselling novelist with a master’s degree in creative writing and instruction. For over 10 years, she has helped aspiring writers pursue their writing dreams through keynotes, classes, one-on-one coaching, and editing. Nicole is also a former board member of the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association, where she worked directly with agents, editors, and other publishing professionals. For more information, please visit nicolejpersun.com (and her pen name, jennifergoldauthor.com).