ABOUT
Inspire Hour provides an opportunity for you to gain insights into a range of writing and publishing challenges.
Schedule a live hour-long conversation via Zoom if you are seeking feedback, guidance, or perspective on a particular writing issue.
The hour is an opportunity for Kathryn to listen to specific challenges and questions and formulate answers and provide perspective. If a formal mentoring relationship is not needed, but you’re stuck on an issue, Inspire Hour will provide the clarity you need to pivot with grace in this moment of your writing journey.
Results speak for themselves. Kathryn’s students and mentees get published, win literary awards, get short-listed for prizes, accomplish individualistic artistic goals, and develop their creative lives in ways that are unique and satisfying to them.
To learn more, contact Kathryn at kathryn@kathrynaalto.com
BENEFITS
Guidance. Inspire Hour provide guidance in writing techniques as well as publishing insights. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and networking.
Skills. Inspire Hour provides specific feedback on areas in your writing where you can develop and enhance your skills. This may include guidance on scene creation, character development, essay or book structure, dialogue, or other technical aspects of narrative nonfiction.
Experience. Learn from someone who has faced challenges, navigated the publishing world, and honed their craft so that you can avoid pitfalls.
Motivation. As writing can be solitary, staying motivated can be challenging. Inspire Hour provides accountability, motivation, and encouragement to help you stay focused on your goals and maintain a consistent writing practice.
Networking. Inspire Hour might help you gain access to valuable connections, writing groups, writing retreats, and potential opportunities for collaboration or publication.
Career. Get perspective on the business side of writing, understand the industry and market trends, and learn how to navigate the publishing process.
Emotional Support. Rejections, self-doubt, and creative blocks are common challenges for writers. Inspire Hour can provide perspective during rejections and concrete advice on how to navigate the emotional highs and lows of the creative process.
PHILOSOPHY
TESTIMONIALS
“You know the saying. ‘When the student is ready, the teacher appears…’ After a 20 year creative hiatus to raise my daughter, I was ready to get back to writing but floundering. A Google search for a writing retreat brought me to Kathryn’s site and I had found my teacher. A year later, I have published my first essay and written the draft of a novel. In class and one-to-one mentoring, Kathryn taught me the elements of effective writing, introduced me to a treasure trove of writers who use those elements so beautifully, and helped me find and develop my unique writing voice. She also connected me to a community of writers where I have made lifetime friends. The rest of the saying goes: ‘When the student is truly ready, the teacher disappears.’ I have a feeling I will be studying with Katy for a while yet as she has so much to give.” — Francesca, New Hampshire
“Kathryn has an uncanny ability to understand who you are and where you want to go as a writer and unlock your potential step-by-step with patience, respect, and eloquence. She is a creative, fun, and resourceful teacher and artist who won’t hold back from you her insights into the inner workings of the publishing world. She’s a gem of a mentor.” — Onur, Washington, D. C.“Kathryn is an exceptional teacher. As a best-selling author, she knows the publishing industry first-hand. And she is highly adept at refining one’s technical skills without stifling a writer’s voice. Without her mentoring, I would be stumbling along in the dark along my path to publication. Her guidance, support, and knowledge are game changers.” — Lise, Los Angeles, California
“Kathryn was a fabulous mentor at a time when I needed it the most. I was working on the manuscript of my first nonfiction book, and Kathryn had recently finished Writing Wild, which has a similar structure to mine. She provided wonderful advice about how to balance different chapters, how to better tell a story, and always reminded me to be specific rather than vague. Kathryn gave me courage to pursue interviews with higher profile people than I would have otherwise approached, and boosted my confidence as a writer. Our weekly call gave me goals, a schedule, and kept me accountable in my writing process. Because of Kathryn, I had a clearer sense of what makes a full-length nonfiction book work and how to get there. Working with her while I was in the final stages of my manuscript dramatically improved my final product and gave me skills that I will carry with me for my writing career.” — McKenzie Long, California, author of This Contested Land (University of Minnesota Press)
“Through both classes and one-on-one coaching, Kathryn has helped me make my writing come alive. After many years in academia, it was a little dry, to say the least! Now my writing flows and is full of vivid details and imagery. It’s fun to read, unlike my previous style which was more akin to a peer-reviewed journal article. I was also struggling with imposter syndrome. I had almost put a book project that’s close to my heart on indefinite hold, feeling that I was not truly qualified to write it. She helped me work through those feelings and develop language for my introduction that puts my (actually extensive) expertise into context. After just one session with Kathryn, I was unstuck and moving forward. The project is back on track!” — Rachel S., Tulsa, Oklahoma
“Mentorship from Kathryn has proven invaluable. I’m difficult to teach and I think she realised this early on, throughout our times together she guided and pushed me in very constructive ways to question myself, my direction and to explore effective ways of conveying my ideas to a wider audience. With Kathryn’s teaching and support I’ve developed a book proposal that brings together seemingly disparate subject matter into compelling narrative non-fiction. She helped me to question my writing style and to enhance it in new ways. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Kathryn. Her guidance will take your writing to new levels.’ — Heather, Leeds, England
COST
- £195/HOUR
- Select a time that works for you when booking
- Write to kathryn@kathrynaalto.com for more information
