Katie Allen, MA
host of A Mindful Writing Village
THE WRITERS CIRCLE
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
FAQs
WHAT WILL WE DO EACH WEEK?
In addition to access to an optional, daily writing salon space on Zoom, we will meet weekly to focus on a different element of writing:
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1st Meeting: Common Read (One Writer's Beginnings by Eudora Welty) - 90 min.
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2nd Meeting: Writing Workshop - 90 min.
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3rd Meeting: Writing Marathon (brief check-ins at beginning, middle, and end) - 3 hours
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4th Meeting: Feedback Workshop (choosing a piece up to 1,500 words to submit) - 2.5 hours
WHEN DOES IT START AND WHAT ARE THE MEETING TIMES?
The Fall 2024 cohort will meet on Sundays beginning at 9:00 am PST and run for 14 weeks. The start date is Sunday, September 1st.
To join a waiting list for a Wednesday cohort at 9:00 am PST, email Katie at authorkatieallen@gmail.com.
The group meeting times run between 90 minutes and three hours depending on the day (see above). A detailed schedule will be provided after registration that takes holidays into account.
CAN I WORK WITH YOU 1:1?
For those wishing to meet regularly with Katie 1:1 for clarity calls or editing, click here to learn how.
WHAT IS THE DAILY WRITING SALON ON ZOOM?
This is an optional virtual writing space for you to join any time when you wish to work on your writing project in community, including those in The Writers Circle and others. Participants are encouraged to follow the light structure of a brief check-in followed by silent, individual writing time with additional check-ins as decided by whoever is present. It is a self-run space. When I am present, I facilitate, but when I am not on, participants are responsible for time-keeping. This is an excellent space to find accountability and motivation during your writing time.
WHAT IS THE COST? ARE PAYMENT PLANS OR SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE?
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The cost for The Writers Circle is $349.
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Payment plans are available upon request and can be broken down into 2-4 payments but will come with a $5 processing fee for each payment unless paid via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or Google Pay.
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One scholarship is available for a student who considers the Writers Circle a good fit but is experiencing financial hardship and cannot pay the fee; if you wish to apply for this scholarship, please submit the application and then send an email to me at AuthorKatieAllen@gmail.com explaining in 1-3 paragraphs why you’d like to join the cohort and that you’re applying for the scholarship. If you have previously received a scholarship, you may still apply but priority will be given to new students.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE IN THIS COHORT? DO I HAVE TO ATTEND EVERY MEETING?
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I am an equal participant in The Writers Circle with you; there is not currently a cap on the number of writers in each cohort.
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I ask those committing to these 14 weeks to attend the majority of sessions.
WILL SESSIONS BE RECORDED AND MATERIALS FROM WORKSHOPS BE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS?
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No, sessions will not be recorded.
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Materials from workshops will be available to students via a shared Google Drive folder.
ABOUT YOUR TEACHER & PEER WRITER
Katie Allen, MA
I've been teaching for over 14 years and love it.
I've taught in the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, China, and have traveled to over 30 countries altogether. I published my first book Teranga: A Memoir of Belonging in 2021 after reading "Writing Down the Bones" by Natalie Goldberg. Her teachings helped free me of my inner critic so I could finally write and share about that time in my life with the world.
After studying in-person with Natalie for 2 weeks, I've carried on the lineage ever since, in my own way. I left academia in 2020 and have created my own path, teaching writing workshops online and hosting retreats in-person based on her teachings. I model my writing practice retreats after her own while bringing my own skills and personality to the experience. I've also run my own writing retreats, which include A Mindful Writing Retreat in Idyllwild in 2024.
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I'm also an editor with Elyssar Press, do freelance editing, and work 1:1 with folks who need clarity along their writing paths.
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I am also a student teacher in the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program (MMTCP) and will complete my training in 2025. I lead a Mindfulness Meditation each Tuesday and teach introductory meditation courses; you can learn more here.
TESTIMONIALS
Katie is a great facilitator for creating meditation, writing and love of nature during her retreats. You feel a sense of belonging and a reaffirmation of why we write. Would highly recommend the retreat experience!
Katie is a passionate and at the same time experienced and level headed writing workshop leader. Participating fully herself, everyone is made to feel welcome, accepted, open, and relaxed to fully participate also. The strong foundation provided lends itself to the risk taking we writers crave in community.