Leaves in a painterly style.

Writerly Love

A 13-week Intensive Writing Course
January 26–April 30, 2025

Write and Shine!

Craft luminous stories, poems, and essays with expert guidance from a lit mag editor and support from a warm community.

This intensive guides writers through the process of developing new, radiant work with extensive feedback and training to help you skillfully workshop and edit your creations. By the end of the program, you’ll have completed short pieces of writing ready for publication.

Teacup steaming in morning light on a notebook with written pages and with a pink flower-pen on top.

Do you crave support and structure so you can write your most luminous work?

Does this sound familiar?

  • Your writing practice has slipped and you need deadlines, encouraging feedback, and help to hone in on your unique voice.

     

  • You feel overwhelmed about where to begin when it comes to revising your writing and want to develop your editorial skills.

     

  • You don’t know what to send lit mags, or whether there’s a place out there for your unique voice.

  • You want feedback from a writer and editor who has your back and a community of writers to support you and your dreams of writing and publishing.
A woman in glasses reading a magazine and a person's hand with a pen writing in a notebook..

Write, Revise,
Publish!

A sketched heart.

At the end of your Intensive you will have...

  • polished several stories, poems, or hybrid work
  • submitted your work to publications that fit you
  • prepared for a big “YES” for your writing and your writing dreams
  • found your place in a community of writers
Rachel Thompson

Hi, I'm rachel Thompson

I am a literary magazine editor (with Room), a published author, and the host of the Write, Publish, and Shine Podcast.

I am here to help ​you publish​ your ​most luminous work. In the intensive program, I help you every step of the way to write, publish, and shine with personal feedback and support.

Rachel’s managed to have really awesome people gravitate towards her programs. There’s such magic that happens—all the different perspectives are super helpful.

Sherine Elbanhawy

Novelist

The fact that Rachel is an editor as well as writer, felt like she was qualified from a unique and valuable perspective. The revision techniques I learned from her helped me challenge myself more, and I’m more confident as I write my stories.

Dorryce Smelts

Fiction Writer

Rachel deeply cares about helping emerging and established writers. She believes in building and cultivating writing communities—spaces for writers to meet, share work, get feedback, and grow.

Marlena Chertock

Author of Crumb Sized

Working with Rachel Thompson transformed my writing by opening avenues to publications, developing community, and furthering my commitment to craft. Rachel is a fantastic mentor.

Rowan McCandless

Governor General's Literary Award Shortlisted Memoirist

Program details

Schedule

January 26–April 30, 2025

WHAT DO WE DO IN THE INTENSIVE?

During the 13 weeks of the intensive course, you will generate exciting new writing through inspiring, detailed assignments. You’ll have deadlines to keep you motivated and will receive 1-1 feedback from your instructor, Rachel Thompson, as well as facilitated peer workshops.

You should allocate 3-4 hours each week for writing, editing, and workshop assignments (allowing time for rest and reflection).

Most of the work is done on your own schedule, with deadlines for assignments and feedback on all your writing. There are two mentorship calls and two workshop sessions (in March) conducted via video conference. You can schedule these calls based on your availability, though they are generally offered between Sunday and Thursday mornings/early afternoons in North American time zones.

Once registered, you’ll have lifetime access to all of the lessons in this course.

Feedback & Calls

1) Live Calls
During the intensive, you will have two group check-in calls and private mentorship sessions with Rachel, all via video conferencing (video is optional).

2) Editorial Feedback
Rachel provides editorial feedback on individual writing assignments as well as a writing submission packet. For each piece you post to our online discussion, you’ll receive concrete suggestions on how to improve your writing.

3) Online Discussion
Throughout each week of the intensive, you’ll stay connected, share your work, and ask questions in our private course message board.

Register Now

See also sliding-scale pricing information, below.

All prices in USD and include applicable taxes.

Securely pay with your Visa, MasterCard, or PayPal account.

Sliding-Scale Pricing

I offer sliding scale pricing options to provide more access for writers who need this.

Support Tier 1 (15% price reduction)
For recently unemployed writers or writers experiencing reduced income and who do not have access to generational or personal wealth. Join Now

Support Tier 2 (25% price reduction)
For writers who are experiencing financial insecurity and who also do not have access to personal or generational wealth and/or savings. Join Now

Access (40% price reduction)
For writers on disability assistance or who are part of BIPOC and/or trans communities, ensuring equitable access. Join Now

Gift Option: Would you like to buy this course course as a gift?


Here is the Course Outline

Orientation & Writing

Weeks 1-4

Writing Short Forms:
Flash Fiction & Prose Poem
Receive bi-weekly editorial feedback on your drafts from Rachel. During this period, you’ll also have your orientation call and 1-1 mentorship meeting.

Weeks 5-6

Taking Your Drafts Deeper
Directed lessons to help you delve deeper into your narratives or poems. Rachel will provide editorial feedback on your writing submission packet during this time.

Peer Workshop

Weeks 7 & 8

Includes an orientation to the workshop, group facilitation, and clear guidelines to ensure the workshop upholds our values of compassion, mutual respect, and inclusion.

Self-Editing Skills Building

Week 9-11

Revision Love
Learn to edit your writing with the Revision Love course, with feedback from Rachel on each assignment.

Final Submission

Week 12-13

Prepare your final submission packet and have your final mentorship call with Rachel for feedback on your writing.

Here are Some Frequently Asked Questions About the Course…

When will the Personal Calls and Workshops be held?

Calls are generally offered between Sunday and Thursday mornings/early afternoons in North American time zones. There are two mentorship calls—one at the beginning of the intensive to help set your goals and one at the end to review your progress and next steps. Additionally, there are two workshop sessions in March, conducted via video conference. We will schedule the one-on-one calls and sessions at a time that works best for you, ensuring flexibility to fit your schedule.

What Genres Do I Need to Write In?

You can write in any genre that speaks to you! The Writerly Love Intensive is designed to support writers across a variety of genres, whether you’re working in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, memoir, or hybrid forms. The key is that your writing aligns with your unique voice and creative vision. Throughout the course, we’ll focus on refining your craft and deepening your writing, no matter the genre.

Will you provide feedback on my writing?

Yes! During the Writerly Love Intensive, I provide detailed editorial feedback on your submission package and respond to every assignment you submit throughout the course. Additionally, I’m here to answer any questions you have about your writing and the craft of writing, both during our group calls, our one-on-one calls, and on our private community channel. You’ll receive continuous, personalized support to help you grow and refine your work.

How big is the course cohort?

To provide a more personalized and supportive experience, I cap the course at 12 participants. This group size allows me to offer individualized attention and detailed personal feedback.

How can I be sure the “asynchronous” course format will work for me?

The Writerly Love Intensive is designed to offer a balance of flexibility and personal connection. While most of the work is done on your own schedule, you’ll receive consistent, detailed feedback on every assignment you submit. Additionally, the course includes two mentorship calls at the beginning and end to help you set goals, review your progress, and stay on track.

You’ll also be part of a supportive community where you can ask questions and get guidance, both in group calls and on our private channel. The combination of personalized feedback, mentorship, and a flexible structure is designed to ensure you don’t feel lost or isolated. You’ll have the support you need to succeed, with a clear path forward and accountability built in. If at any point you feel stuck, you will have help.


When does the course start and end?

The course runs from January 26 to April 30, 2025, over the span of thirteen weeks. Writers can work at their own pace, with the flexibility to adjust their schedule as needed. Throughout the course, you’ll receive plenty of motivation to stay on track, including deadlines for submitting your writing to receive personalized feedback and support. You’ll have continuous access to guidance and encouragement to help you make steady progress and feel confident in your writing journey.

How much does the course cost?

The full course price is 1795 USD and I offer sliding-scale pricing options of a 15% reduction for recently unemployed writers or writers experiencing reduced income and who do not have access to generational or personal wealth, a 25% reduction for writers experiencing financial insecurity and who do not have access to personal or generational wealth and/or savings, and access pricing of a 40% reduction for writers on disability assistance or who are part of BIPOC and/or trans communities.

If it is easier for you to pay in installments, you can pay over five payments.

Do you offer a sliding scale for lower-income writers?

Yes. I offer a sliding-scale rate for writers experiencing unemployment/income loss, and financial insecurity. I also offer access pricing for writers on disability assistance or who are part of BIPOC and/or trans communities.

I offer sliding-scale pricing options of a 15% reduction for recently unemployed writers or writers experiencing reduced income and who do not have access to generational or personal wealth, a 25% reduction for writers experiencing financial insecurity and who do not have access to personal or generational wealth and/or savings, and access pricing of a 40% reduction for writers on disability assistance or who are part of BIPOC and/or trans communities.

If it is easier for you to pay in installments, you can pay over five monthly payments.

Have More Questions About The Intensive? Use this form to ask me:

I’m surprised and delighted to say the piece that I worked through won first place in the Prairie Fire CNF contest.

Jagtar Atwal

CNF Writer

I feel like the revision lessons were built for me. I have so many ideas, revelations, and a lot of clarity about my writing now. Rachel Thompson is the truth.

Whitney French

Writer, Multidisciplinary Artist and Publisher

Rachel’s kind and wise instruction, her asynchronous learning format, and the beautiful group of writers she attracts will keep you going through the darkest nights of the soul.

Lacey Yong

CNF writer and YA novelist

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