Coffee Times CC6 challenge
The Unschool for Writers
A Substack newsletter — meeting writers’ needs & creating community
I so like this photo: the act of walking out of a place, ready to explore outside, with a hopeful, confident, and calm expression.
When I left my academic position last year, it felt a bit like that, hand on the door, and pushing out. Of course, it was all virtual — as was everything a year ago. But it felt real to walk out of an MFA program, and into the world of working and exploring writers.
I forged out and put together The Unschool for Writers, my newsletter venture in which I share decades of teaching and writing. I recently wrote about my newsletter in a piece for The Coffee Times.
The past twelve months have brought a slow and steady stream of subscribers, both free and paid. I post consistently. I work and have fun. And when subscribers write me notes about how The Unschool is working for them, I so appreciate it. I hold their words up to the bar of what I set out to do. Their words allow me to gauge how useful it is. And new directions, too.
A few words:
“DIY is filled with articles that are both helpful and thought-provoking, as are comments on them, and on submissions. The calendar idea, which I tweaked to fit my own need, is an exercise that continues to give me insights to my novel that spends too long untouched. Adding scenes, rearranging chronology, deleting scenes have breathed new life into my understanding of how to structure what I’m writing.” ~~~ A.W.
“The Unschool is a fresh water spring in the rugged landscape of the writing life. After each visit, I’m renewed, ready to keep going.” ~~~L.N.
“Via the Unschool, I get ongoing mentoring from an author whose work I truly admire, but the format allows me to set my own pace and level of connection. I can ‘jump in’ and interact, or simply read and learn on my own. I love it!” ~~~ E.B.
“Stumbling upon The Unschool has done wonders for my inspiration as a writer. Since subscribing to this supportive community, I’ve written multiple poems, began exploring short fiction (something I’d never tried my hand at previously!), and started journaling again after almost a year away as a new mom.” ~~~ T.N.
I can’t say “job done” — there is always more to explore, more to share, and there will always be.
But The Unschool is a growing and enlivening thing, and I am grateful for everyone who shows up, reads, shares comments and pieces of writing, and to every subscriber who supports and encourages.
I hope to see you there!
Many thanks to Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Dr.Preeti Singh, Liberty Forrest, Author, Yana Bostongirl