Mentoring and Feedback
Mentoring
I offer one-off or regular sessions with a focus of your choice. You might want to improve your knowledge of form, structure and technique, overcome stuckness and writer's block, become more confident when revising and submitting your work, or explore and develop your unique voice as a writer. Or you may want to learn to write something new, for example: sonnets, prose poetry, creative nonfiction, or memoir.
I can build and strengthen your knowledge and skills in a specific area through prompts, assignments or exercises, and set reading—as well as through feedback on your work. We can work towards small or large goals and deadlines and develop your individual writing practice and processes. I'm particularly interested in helping writers to build their confidence, develop a sustainable writing practice, and manage and overcome imposter syndrome. I also help writers to plan and put together funding applications.
Starting at £60p/h
Feedback
I provide constructive, detailed feedback for writers aiming to improve their work. For poets, for example, I consider how structure, form, imagery, voice, sound and rhythm are working together, and whether revisions or edits are needed to help the poem find its best shape. For nonfiction or fiction, I consider these aspects alongside plot, characterisation and character development. I specialise in poetry but I’ve also worked with novelists, short story writers, and nonfiction writers.
Feedback via email or zoom can be helpful for those putting together a writing sample, portfolio or manuscript for an application or submission, or for anyone seeking expert advice on work in progress. For feedback on complete book drafts, please see my editing page.
Starting at £60p/h
Maria Agustina Pardini, poet and translator
‘Kate and I spent one year writing and editing poems and I couldn't be more grateful for the way she has introduced me to poetry. Her patience, love for the language and passion for the art are values I still carry with me.'
Mary Jane Myers, author
‘All praise and gratitude to Kate, a gifted and inspirational teacher. She has been tutoring me one-on-one for several years online. The result: I feel knowledgeable about traditional forms and have confidence in my composition skills. Many of my poems have been published, and several are included in an an anthology of contemporary traditional poems.'
