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instructors

Writing is one thing. Teaching writing is another. Meet our instructors—they are pros at both.

Imagine working one-on-one with a published author or seasoned editor who understands the publishing industry. At the Institute, one of our instructors will become your personal mentor. You’ll work together to identify and achieve your writing goals. Think goal setting, targeting, planning, editing, and critiquing assignments—this is how your instructor will prepare you and your work for today’s marketplace.

Clara Gillow Clark

“What do you care most about and why? That’s where a story begins, since the best ideas will not come from your head but from your heart, the place where ideas and emotional truth meet.”

Nancy Coffelt

“Writing for kids means you get to STAY a kid! And by 'kid,' someone who is fine with having their seat in a chair until all the words sound just right…”

Trinka Enell

“Watch children. What is important to them? How do they express their concerns and desires? If you take observations and add it to your own experiences as a child, then write from your heart, your writing will shine.”

Sheila Wood Foard

“Writing is like hiking in the mountains. If you’re down in the hollow, every path leads uphill. But the view from the ridge is worth the strenuous climb.”

Sue Ford

“One of the best disciplines is writing to theme lists. Not only can this provide the motivation of a deadline, but often the suggested themes inspire one to create stories that wouldn’t have occurred otherwise.”

Kris Franklin

“I once read about a novelist whose daily goal was two well-polished pages, which seemed trifling until I realized he was producing over seven hundred pages a year. It’s like the proverb of the journey that begins with a single step-or in this case with a single word on a blank sheet of paper.”

Karen Hammond

“In many ways, writing is its own reward. That said, nothing quite compares to the thrill of seeing your byline in print for the first time. It will be a day you’ll never forget!.”

Troon Harrison

“Through creativity, writers seek their true voice, their authentic selves, and their path forward.”

Donna Ippolito

“Among all the advice on writing, the bottom line is finding a regular time and place to write-even if only 5 minutes a day or 10 minutes a week. Writing has to become a habit rather than a luxury.”

Susan Ludwig

“There is no way to know what readers want, what editors like, and what a good story sounds like unless you read all the time.”

Lori Mortensen

“What’s the secret to writing for children? Read, read, read! Then, write the story or article that you’d love to read if you were that child. If you keep at it, I’m confident you will succeed.”

Kristin Wolden Nitz

“Don’t just write what you know. Write what you care about. Pursue the subjects that fascinate you, and your passion will shine through to the reader.”

Cindy Savage

"The only difference between a would-be-writer and an author is practice and persistence. So take out your pen, put it on paper, and let the words flow.”

Pegi Deitz Shea

“The word ‘writing’ is only part of a bigger and more important word, ‘rewriting.’ And ‘vision’ is only part of ‘revision’.”

Victoria Sherrow

“It starts with an idea, something special you want to write about. Then write from the heart - find the ‘heart’ of what you are writing. Most of all: Write, write, write.”

Lynne Smith

“To write better, read more.”

Kristi Collier Thompson

“Writing isn't a nine-to-five job. You can write wherever you are, whenever you are. Writing is your opportunity to give your dreams a voice. Everyone has a story to tell.”

Linda Triegel

“Be persistent. Learn your craft. Read extensively in the genre you want to write in. Write every day.”

Deborah Vetter

“If I could give only two pieces of advice, they would be (1) persistence is the key to achieving your goals as a writer, and (2) everything is grist for the mill.”