Narrative Nature Writing is a unique and immersive course led by New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Aalto, and is designed to explore the intersection of storytelling and the natural world.

This course delves into the art of weaving together narrative techniques with vivid descriptions of nature, allowing writers to capture the beauty, complexity, and urgency of the natural environment. Through a combination of lectures, readings, discussions, workshops, and writing exercises, students learn how to observe the world around them with a writer’s eye, translating their observations into powerful, evocative prose that not only informs but also inspires readers to see the natural world in new ways.

Nature Writing Is Vital

Studying narrative nature writing is crucial in today’s world, where the relationship between humans and the environment is more significant—and more fraught—than ever. This genre goes beyond mere description, engaging readers on an emotional and intellectual level, encouraging them to reflect on their place within the ecosystem. By mastering the art of narrative nature writing, students can contribute to important conversations about conservation, climate change, and the human impact on the planet. This course provides writers with the tools to express feelings, articulate stories, and create work that resonates deeply, fostering a sense of connection and responsibility toward the natural world.

In a time when many people are disconnected from nature, compelling stories about nature and place can bridge the gap, bringing the realities of the natural world into the reader’s consciousness. This nature writing course equips aspiring writers with the skills to not only document the natural world but also to inspire change through storytelling. By the end of the course, participants will have developed a deeper understanding of both the craft of writing and the vital importance of the natural world, enabling them to create works that contribute meaningfully to environmental discourse.

About Your Teacher

This is a signature course taught by Kathryn Aalto, who is known for her unique ability to weave together the beauty of nature, the power of literature, and the intricacies of human experience. With a background in both landscape design, garden history, and English literature, Kathryn brings a rich, interdisciplinary perspective to her work, often exploring how place shapes our stories and identities. A passionate educator, Kathryn is dedicated to helping others find their voices in narrative nonfiction and nature writing, empowering them to tell stories that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth.

Her books, including Writing Wild: Women Poets, Ramblers and Mavericks Who Shape How We See the Natural World (2020) and The New York Times bestseller, The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh (2015), showcase her talent for blending historical research, literary analysis, and environmental insight, creating works that are both deeply informative and inspiring.

Course Aims

• Develop Observational Skills: Enhance students’ ability to keenly observe and interpret the natural world, fostering a deeper connection to their environment.
• Cultivate Narrative Voice: Help students discover and refine their unique narrative voice in nature writing, balancing descriptive detail with personal reflection.
• Explore Literary Techniques: Introduce and practice literary techniques specific to nature writing, including sensory description and the eight pillars of narrative nonfiction, producing at least four original nature essays.
• Wellness Through Writing: Inspire students to find meaning in the act of writing as part of a well-balanced and attentive creative life.
• Build a Writing Practice: Cultivate an intentional writing practice with an understanding of pre-writing, writing, editing and revising approaches.

KIMBERLY COBURN is an Atlanta-based writer and maker whose work explores the intersection of craft, the human spirit, and the natural world. Her thoughts can be found in American Craft, The Bitter Southerner, Salon, and Dark Mountain among others. She visits our class Sunday Oct 6 to discuss her exquisite essay “The Other Vulture,” voted one of the top 10 essays in The Bitter Southerner in 2022.

“How effortlessly these birds untangle the lies we spin around death. The endings that fill us with anxiety nourish them. I wanted to mainline that kind of freedom. I wanted to float for hours with no millstone of loss around my neck, to see it all from a 10,000-foot vantage.”

Learn more about Kimberly at kimberlycoburnwrites.com.

ROBERT BERRY is a beloved speaker in Kathryn’s Narrative Nature Writing course, and for good reason. He teaches us that sound can profoundly enhance a nature writer’s craft. Learning how to closely listen will deepen our connection to the environment and enrich the sensory details in our writing.  This can transform the way we perceive and describe the natural world.  An emeritus professor, Robert developed interests in recording the sounds of nature after retirement. For decades photography had been his focus, but he picked up recording to learn how it might add to his experience of the natural world.

“My most significant learning is in how to listen, and that ‘being there with ears wide open’ always yields an enriching engagement with nature’s vast range of voices.”

By capturing the subtle nuances of bird calls, rustling leaves, or a distant stream, writers can bring a vivid, immersive quality to their narratives that engages readers on a more emotional and visceral level.

• 4:00 to 6:30 PM BST
• Eight classes meeting every other Sunday
• Sep 22, Oct 6/20, Nov 3/17, Dec 1/15 + January reading of best work (TBD)
• Live via Zoom

• £550 per course per term
• Questions? Book a free 15-minute one-on-one conversation
• Contact kathryn@kathrynaalto.com to stagger tuition payments 

1. Q: Are Kathryn Aalto’s creative writing courses suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, all levels of writers can study with Kathryn. She has created a supportive environment where beginners can develop their skills while more experienced writers can refine their craft and explore new narrative techniques.

• LEVEL 1: Beginning courses for those new to narrative nonfiction who need to gain a foundational understanding.
• LEVELS  2-3: Intermediate courses that require Level 1 course, a similar foundational course in narrative nonfiction, or by application with a writing sample.
• LEVELS 3-4: Intermediate to advanced courses that build upon previous experience (finesse voice, structure, dilation, telescoping, dialogue, and other topics.

2. Q: What kind of feedback can I expect in Kathryn Aalto’s courses?
A: Kathryn provides detailed, personalized, and constructive feedback that focuses on improving technical writing skills while enhancing the emotional and thematic resonance of your work. Students receive handwritten feedback on all their writing via Kathryn’s reMarkable device. From the small (language, sentence, syntax) to the large (structure, theme, voice), suggestions are provided and guidance is given to help students learn and improve. People feel supported, encouraged, and challenged to grow and explore.

3. Q: What types of assignments or exercises are typical?
A: Kathryn’s courses include in-class reflective writing exercises and at-home writing between 2-4 pages for Level 1 and 4-10 pages for Levels 2-4. Students write in response to broad topics and as they progress, they are encouraged to write into their own areas of interest. There is a combination of variety and independence

4. Q: If I take one course, can I expect to be a published writer?
A: Taking a single writing course can be a valuable step toward becoming a published writer, but it’s important to manage expectations. A writing course and individual mentoring can certainly help you develop essential skills, refine your voice, and provide you with the tools needed to craft compelling narratives. However, becoming a published writer requires ongoing practice, persistence, and a willingness to revise and improve your work over time, independently and with others.

Publication is a process that involves more than just learning the craft—which can take years of writing, reading, collaborating, and more to arrive at having a signature writing style. It also includes understanding the publishing industry, submitting your work to the right places, and facing rejection before finding success. That said, many writers have taken significant strides toward publication by starting with a Level 1 course, which can serve as a strong foundation. Most students take between 2-4 courses with Kathryn in what can be likened to an MFA program laser-focused on narrative nonfiction. Ultimately, while Kathryn can’t guarantee that taking one course will lead directly to publication, she can assure you that it will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue your writing goals more effectively.

Narrative nonfiction is an art. While many people have had amazing life experiences and want to tell those stories, learning how to translate those experiences in art takes time to develop. Some people do indeed have innate talent and artistic sensibilities to tell stories; often it comes from years of reading and understanding narrative arc.  Most of Kathryn’s published or award-winning writers have taken multiple courses, participated in workshops, and have spent years honing their craft. In the same way that you can’t expect to perform at Carnegie Hall after a semester of piano lessons, the same applies to the art of narrative nonfiction.

4. Q: Who are my classmates?

A: One of the most exciting developments in education is the way live, long-distance learning has evolved the idea of learning from a local to international learning space. Students from all over the world study with Kathryn including people living in every state in the USA, Canada, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Estonia, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, Ecuador and more.

5. Q: Can I pay my tuition in instalments?
A: Yes, invoices can be billed over 2-4 months. Contact gardens@kathrynaalto.com to suggest arrangements that work best for you.

Kathryn Aalto fosters a warm, inclusive, and inspiring community in her online writing courses, where students from diverse backgrounds come together to explore their creativity. Her courses are designed to encourage collaboration, thoughtful dialogue, and mutual support, cultivating a space where students feel safe to express themselves and share their work.

Kathryn’s teaching style emphasizes empathy and attentiveness, helping students build confidence in their writing while honouring their unique voices. Through guided discussions, personalised feedback, and opportunities for peer interaction, she cultivates a sense of belonging and shared purpose. The community Kathryn creates is one of encouragement, growth, and a shared passion for the written word, where each participant is both a learner and a contributor to the collective experience.

“My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that education is a collaborative and transformative journey, one that empowers students to explore their creative potential, embrace their unique voices, and engage deeply with the world around them. I am committed to creating a learning environment that is inclusive, supportive, and intellectually stimulating, where students feel encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and challenge themselves.” — Kathryn Aalto

Philosophy

1. Fostering Creative Exploration

I believe that creativity flourishes when students are given the freedom to explore ideas, experiment with language, and push the boundaries of conventional thinking. My role as an educator is to provide the tools, guidance, and encouragement that allow students to embark on this journey of exploration. I strive to create lectures, discussions, and assignments that inspire curiosity and invite students to engage with material in ways that are personally meaningful and artistically daring.

2. Encouraging Critical Thinking and Reflection

I view literature and writing as powerful tools for understanding the human experience, and I encourage my students to engage critically with texts and their own work. By fostering an environment of thoughtful discussion and reflection, I aim to help students develop their analytical skills, deepen their understanding of complex themes, and articulate their ideas with clarity and conviction. I emphasise the importance of considering diverse perspectives and encourage students to question assumptions and explore the ethical dimensions of their writing.

3. Building a Supportive Learning Community

I am deeply committed to cultivating a classroom environment where all students feel respected, valued, and heard. I believe that learning is most effective when it occurs in a community where individuals support and learn from one another. To this end, I prioritise creating a space where students can share their work, offer constructive feedback, and engage in meaningful dialogue. I also recognise the importance of addressing each student’s unique needs and learning styles, and I strive to be responsive and adaptable in my teaching approach.

Strongly influenced by the Harkness method founded at the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire where my three children graduated, I actively cultivate a learning space that emphasises the art of conversation with active listening, collaboration, and respect.

4. Empowering Student Voices

One of my primary goals as an educator is to empower emerging writers to find and refine their own voices. I encourage them to write with authenticity and confidence, whether they are crafting a new personal narrative as a long-time academic or exploring creative nonfiction from another genre. I believe that every student has a story worth telling, and I aim to help them discover the best ways to tell it. This involves not only developing their technical skills but also helping them overcome any inhibitions or self-doubt that may hinder their creative expression.

5. Lifelong Learning and Growth

I view teaching as a reciprocal process of learning and growth. Just as I seek to inspire my students, I am continually inspired by their insights, creativity, and courage. I am committed to my own professional development as a member of ASLE (Association for the Study of Literature and Environment) and AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs), which helps me stay engaged with current trends and debates in literature, writing, and pedagogy. By modelling a passion for learning and a commitment to intellectual curiosity, I hope to instil in my students a lifelong love of learning and a desire to continue honing their craft long after they leave my classroom.

Measures of Success

My teaching philosophy is centered on the idea that education is a dynamic and collaborative process. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and community, I aim to empower my students to become confident, thoughtful, and innovative writers who are prepared to differently engage with the world in reflective and meaningful ways.

After acquiring key skills in narrative nonfiction, I encourage people to apply for awards, submit to publications, and continue keeping personal writing journals. My pro-active stance helps emerging writers find validation of their insights and writing skills outside our nurturing communities.

My students have won numerous awards including the 2022 £10,000 Nature Chronicles Prize with two long-listed for the same 2024 prize. A student won the 2022 Bradt New Travel Writer of the Year and many have been short-listed for literary awards including the Fish Memoir Prize. My students have been published by general and university presses, book trusts, popular magazines, and literary journals.

However, publication and awards are only one measure of success. Learning to embrace the writing process as just one part of leading a contemplative life cannot be measured nor externally validated. There is different and great fulfilment in both.

“Kathryn teaches with a deep care about the individual student and is very clever about bringing out their voices and passions. She also has an unparalleled knowledge of nature and landscape writing that gives a real gravitas and authority on the subject, a knowledge that she wears lightly without intimidating students, which is a huge strength.” — James Rebanks, author of The Shepherd’s Life and English Pastoral 

“I learnt so much from taking Kathryn’s Memoir and Life Writing course. Although I had published a lot of academic work, I was struggling making the transition to writing in a more personal vein and lacking in confidence. I found in Kathryn a superbly knowledgeable and lucid teacher. Through the lectures and class discussion, I learnt how to implement narrative nonfiction techniques and, in just a few weeks, saw my writing become much more engaging and evocative. I also benefited from being part of a supportive and friendly learning community, and building relationships that I expect to last far beyond the duration of the course. Finally, I really appreciated Kathryn’s warmth and positivity, both in the virtual classroom and in her individual feedback. She was an attentive and sympathetic reader of my work, giving clear guidance for improvement while simultaneously building my confidence. The course enabled me to see new possibilities in my writing and I am keen to work with Kathryn again as I continue to develop.” — David, Leeds, England

“After six months of working with Kathryn–which is a bit like entering the space of a handwritten letter, what with her sharp aesthetic sense, far-ranging intelligence, wit, and curiosity–I’ve made tangible progress on an unwieldy, long-form project I was struggling to articulate. I came to her Memoir and Life Writing class for accountability, and came away having experienced the kind of support, writing insight, and real feeling of friendship that can be difficult to find in a workshop environment. Kathryn fostered a warm, charming atmosphere in class (a real feat online), allowing for life-long connections to develop among our group of writers. She cares about the arc of her student’s writing lives–a form of attention that encourages artistic growth and positive risk-taking. She not only brought her years of writing and publishing experience to class and to our bi-monthly writing assignments (her personal feedback, often handwritten, is invaluable), she also brought her unique perspective. Writer-gardener-historians are, I think, particularly adept at imagining the possibilities for a piece, no matter your subject. Kathryn pushed me to dig deeper, moving my writing in new directions. No matter where one is in their writing life, working with Kathryn will be an experience of profound joy, insight, and artistic deepening.“ — Veronica, Portland, Oregon