A Hands-On Approach

write better, together.

Gilliam Writers Group is committed to providing actionable, practical feedback that helps every client become a better writer, no matter their training or goals. We believe that a creative writing coach should offer not only technical support, but a collaborative, participatory learning experience to each person they work with. The interactive, growth-oriented nature of this service is what distinguishes writing coaching from editing; while editing is asynchronous, coaching calls for real-time human connection. While editing is product-focused, coaching attends equally to the writer, their product, and their process of production.

GWG’s creative writing coaches take a hands-on approach to our clients’ writing. Though this might seem incompatible with the virtual format of our meetings, it isn’t; we’ve found that our online sessions are highly effective for learning, not despite, but because of their digital format. Meeting on Zoom and Google Docs allows the participants to engage with written text in organic, cooperative ways; by collaborating on cloud-based documents, our coaches can shift seamlessly between dialogue and demonstration, idea and experiment, critique and revision.

The virtual environment introduces an unprecedented level of immediacy into the workshopping process, making it possible for us to intervene in our clients’ output far more naturally than we could in a physical setting. Practically speaking, this means our creative writing coaches can mark up your work with you live on video, demystifying editorial methods. We can observe your writing process unfolding in real time and provide actionable pointers on technique. We can instantly demonstrate the skills you want to learn—all without the awkwardness of peering over each other’s shoulders or passing notebooks back and forth.

If you’re still feeling uncertain (or excited!) about the logistics of one-on-one creative nonfiction classes online, we invite you to schedule a free consultation call. A Gilliam Writers Group Enrollment Manager will be happy to answer any questions you may have and match you with a professional writing coach. If you’re ready to take the plunge and schedule your first coaching session, let us know.

Long-Term Collaboration

coaching changes lives.

Whether you’re interested in a short personal essay writing class or a more extensive memoir writing course, we hope you’ll consider building a long-term creative partnership with your GWG nonfiction writing coach. Why? Because the longer you work with a writing coach, the more impactful their insight becomes. A coach’s most valuable assets—nuanced interpersonal awareness, an intuitive grasp of their clients’ evolving skill sets, and deep familiarity with their work—simply aren’t available off-the-shelf.

In our one-on-one coaching sessions, we rely on the long-term process of trial and error to gain perspective on which interventions lead to the greatest improvements in a given client’s writing and which strategies most consistently mitigate their writer’s block. The more thoroughly we know our clients as individuals, the more precisely and impactfully we can apply our expertise to their work.

Many of our senior faculty members have met with the same clients weekly for years; several of GWG’s very first customers are still active in our community today. Long-term collaboration is a core value of the Gilliam Writers Group, foundational to both the sustainability of our business and the quality of our services.

Qualified Faculty

training you can trust.

Gilliam Writers Group coaches are highly trained writers, expert editors, and passionate teachers of the art and science of creative nonfiction. Scroll through our Faculty page and you’ll see graduate degrees in writing and literature from the country’s top MFA and PhD programs; years of professional experience in the publishing industry, media, and education; and strong track records of literary publication.

Our best nonfiction writing instructors are also accomplished authors in their own right. Writing by our faculty and emeritus faculty appears in top publications including Slate, The New Yorker, Bookforum, The New York Times, CNN Opinions, Foreign Policy, Artforum, Spin, Longreads, The New York Review of Books, The Atlantic, Guernica, Time Out New York, The Village Voice, JSTOR Daily, Al Jazeera, Food & Wine, Hyperallergic, The Believer, Modern Painters, Paper, The Brooklyn Rail, The Millions, Apollo: The International Art Magazine, n+1, The White Review, The London Review of Books, Philadelphia Magazine, The Conversation, Avidly, The Literary Encyclopedia, nonsite, Tin House, Full Stop, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Eater, Agora Journal of Urban Planning & Design, The Christian Science Monitor, and more.

We have been published by Simon and Schuster, W.W. Norton and Company, Johns Hopkins University Press, Texas A&M University Press, and Penguin Random House, among other presses large and small, and have earned multiple awards and prizes for fiction, poetry, and criticism.

Before hiring an online nonfiction writing coach through the Gilliam Writers Group, we invite you to request a writing sample from their portfolio. That way, you can experience for yourself the exceptional combination of talent and training our team has to offer.

Writing Coaching for Creative Nonfiction

true stories, gorgeously told.

The Gilliam Writers Group is your pathway to mastery in creative nonfiction. Our coaching services are designed to spark your imagination and guide you in crafting narratives that inform, inspire, and captivate. We are here to help you breathe life into your nonfiction prose, assisting you with the vital, messy work of weaving fact into meaningful stories.

“Creative nonfiction” encompasses a vast array of literature. Your nonfiction writing coach can guide you through any subsection of this broad literary spectrum, whether you're intrigued by the incisive cultural commentary of James Baldwin, the immersive reporting style of Susan Orlean, or the philosophical musings of Henry David Thoreau. If you're drawn to the lyrical personal narratives of Maya Angelou, our nonfiction writing lessons can help you weave your experiences into an engrossing memoir. If the poignant essays of Roxane Gay speak to you, we can assist you in articulating your own viewpoints with equal power and finesse.

In weekly or bi-weekly video meetings, your creative writing coach online will collaborate with you on any projects or concepts you bring to the table, even if you’re starting from scratch. They’ll provide inspiring prompts tailored to your interests, supportive strategic advice, and detailed technical feedback to help you hone your narrative skills. Our shared digital workspace enables real-time editing, mutual brainstorming, and immediate input during sessions, offering you the convenience of learning to write nonfiction (or building on your existing skills) from the comfort of your own home.

At GWG, we know from personal experience that every writer has a worthwhile story to share. Our mission is to help you fully realize your own unique voice and narrative style. Whether you’re a journalist seeking to enhance your storytelling techniques, an author working on a nonfiction book, or an enthusiast aiming to turn personal experiences into art, we’ll design a curriculum that suits your needs.

For writers with publishing aspirations, a nonfiction book writing coach or memoir writing coach from our faculty can offer invaluable insights on manuscript preparation, submission strategies, and the current publishing landscape. We provide our clients with comprehensive guidance on the various aspects of the publishing process, ensuring you have the knowledge and tools to confidently present your work to the world.

And for those who write purely for the joy of storytelling or their own personal reflection, GWG offers a creative, supportive environment for translating thoughts, insights, and memories into stories. There is nothing more satisfying—and perhaps nothing more enlightening—than seeing yourself take shape on the page, and a well-designed nonfiction writing class can facilitate that experience over and over again.

To learn more about our creative nonfiction coaching services, please schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation call with a GWG Enrollment Manager. We’re here to support you, from blank page to final draft.

Memoir & Autobiography

mirror, mirror...

In every life, there is a story waiting to be told. If you want to give expression to your own story through a memoir or autobiography, the Gilliam Writers Group would love to help. Our online creative writing coaches offer personalized, long-term support to clients who feel called to transform their lived experiences into compelling prose.

Before we continue, a definition of terms is in order. A “memoir” is a personal narrative that chronicles a significant period or event in someone’s past, allowing for deep, detail-oriented reflection on the part of the writer. An “autobiography,” on the other hand, is a retrospective narrative that records the entire trajectory of a writer's life thus far. It demands a profound level of self-awareness, introspection, and honesty, as well as a hardy sense of perspective.

Notable memoirists like Mary Karr, Jeannette Walls, and Tobias Wolff have shared their tales of struggle, triumph, and transformation, giving others the courage to do the same. The autobiographical tradition, for its part, brings us sweeping classics from luminaries like Maya Angelou, whose I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings paints a stark portrait of her early life, and Nelson Mandela, whose Long Walk to Freedom chronicles what it truly means to fight for freedom. These authors, along with countless others, left us the gift of their lives set down on paper – to cherish, to learn from, and to pass on to future generations.

Crafting a memoir or autobiography, of course, is not just about recollecting events and setting them down on paper. It’s about weaving your personal experiences into stories that touch hearts and inspire minds. It’s about identifying those poignant, everyday moments in which the personal meets the universal, and interpreting them in a way that brings insight to others. Every autobiography and memoir writing coach on GWG’s faculty understands this distinction; we are highly experienced at helping clients navigate their life histories, identify what has shaped them, and translate their impressions into clear, meaningful accounts.

One of the major difficulties in writing a memoir is knowing when and where to begin the story of your life. Perhaps the most important role our coaches can play in guiding the writing process is helping you identify the major themes and most important moments within your narrative. Your coach is able to consider your life story objectively (while still appreciating the personal nature of the narrative), providing an invaluable outside perspective that can help you identify the most resonant and affecting aspects of your reflections.

Your coach can design an online memoir writing course or autobiography writing course that guides you through every phase of the creative process, from outlining to final tweaks and touch-ups. Together, you will plumb the depths of literary craft, addressing concerns both broad (like story arc and plot structure) and narrow (like the artful use of detail and dialogue in specific scenes). Just as each life story is unique, your coach’s approach will reflect your particular needs as a client. Your sessions together can be as structured or flexible as you choose; some clients may prefer a series of curriculum-oriented writing lessons, similar to an online class, while others might opt for a more conversational approach, treating each meeting as a creative dialogue with their coach. Whatever your preference, we’ll support you in writing at your own pace, in your own style and voice.

Remember, you don't need to have a complete manuscript or even a rough outline to work with one of our writing coaches. All you need is something to say (or the desire to find it) and a willingness to immerse yourself in the coaching process. Our memoir and autobiography writing coaches will be there for you every step of the way as you tap your literary potential and share your recollections with the world. No matter who you are, your words, your memories, are valuable.

Please note that writing coaching takes place via Zoom and a shared Google Docs space. While most of our sessions take place virtually, GWG may, in select cases, be able to offer memoir writing classes near you, especially if you live in New York City. To discuss the possibility of setting up an in-person memoir or autobiography writing course in NYC, please reach out or schedule a free consultation call with one of our Enrollment Managers. For more information on our asynchronous editing services, see our Editing page (Services — Editing).

Discover the transformative power of creative nonfiction classes online with the Gilliam Writers Group. Schedule your consultation today to hire an autobiography or memoir writing coach, or to learn more about how we can help you tell your story.

Short Form Nonfiction: Life Writing & Creative Essay

the “i” of the beholder.

Whether you’re interested in penning diaristic personal essays, columns based on your work, reviews of the arts, or newsletters about travel or food, short-form nonfiction offers terrain for every writer. At the Gilliam Writers Group, we embrace this literary diversity, fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem where all of our clients can find their niche. 

Whereas long-form nonfiction leaves room for rumination, short-form nonfiction hinges on the author’s ability to balance artistry with concision. An online life writing course or personal essay writing class with GWG can show you how to achieve this balance, helping you compose meaningful narratives that capture and sustain your readers’ attention and leave a lasting impression. We empower our clients to thrive within the constraints of even the strictest word limits, crafting vibrant pieces that pack a punch.

Many authors find the shift from long-form works to short-form pieces invigorating; these shorter pieces exercise a different writing muscle than books, forcing you to rapidly immerse readers in your perceptions and make every word count. Whether you prefer the work of Annie Ernaux, Ta-Nehisi Coates, or Hilary Mantel, your writing coach can design an online personal essay writing class tailored to your individual tastes. In regular virtual meetings, you’ll work with your coach to condense emotionally ripe, deeply personal narratives into just a few pages. GWG’s life writing coaches eschew one-size-fits-all techniques and standardized templates for “good” nonfiction, emphasizing instead the pleasures of the particular. If you’re tired of workshop platitudes and sweeping generalizations about writing, then we’re the firm for you.

If you’re a keen observer of the little things in life, someone who appreciates the quirks and contours of people’s every-day stories, then you might consider exploring your own cache of memories through short-form life writing courses online. In regular virtual meetings, you’ll work with your coach to condense emotionally ripe, deeply personal narratives into just a few pages. GWG’s life writing coaches eschew one-size-fits-all techniques and standardized templates for “good” nonfiction, emphasizing instead the pleasures of particularity. In other words, if you’re tired of workshop platitudes and sweeping generalizations about writing, then we’re the firm for you.

That’s because GWG’s nonfiction writing coaches not only support other authors but actually write short nonfiction of their own; our faculty’s work appears in many of the most distinguished literary journals, as well as in several major collections and anthologies—more with each passing year. Our team’s deep familiarity with the writing and submissions process makes us uniquely insightful editors, mentors, and creative partners; as a client of the Gilliam Writers Group, you'll have our first-hand expertise at your disposal.

Ready to learn the ropes of life writing and personal essays? Eager to improve your latest draft? Let’s have a conversation. No matter your level of experience, we’d love to discuss how our online personal essay writing classes or life writing courses might benefit you. Just click on one of the "book consultation" buttons scattered throughout this page to book a free, 15-minute consultation call with one of our Enrollment Managers.

All Creative Nonfiction Genres

a coach for every client.

Step 1

schedule your consultation.

To connect with a creative nonfiction writing coach from the Gilliam Writers Group faculty, we invite you to first schedule a free, 15-minute consultation call with a representative from our company’s leadership team.

During this intake call, we’ll guide you through a series of standardized questions about your background, experience, and goals, taking detailed notes on your responses. These notes will form the basis of your client brief—an internal document central to GWG’s client-coach matching process. After answering any lingering questions, your representative will conclude the call and email you two important documents.

First, you’ll receive our new client onboarding brochure, a PDF containing useful resources including a list of best practices, contact information for everyone on our leadership team, and the link to a feedback form you can submit at any point during your work with the Gillam Writers Group. Second, you will receive a link to our service agreement (fillable online). We co-sign this form with all new clients to establish clear terms of engagement and, above all, to protect your interests—for example, to legally bind ourselves to nondisclosure. You can later dissolve this agreement at any time, for any reason, with just 24 hours’ notice.

Step 3

enjoy your first session.

Our online writing coaching sessions take place on Zoom and Google Docs and emphasize guided, real-time practice combined with immediate feedback.

The structure of your first session will depend largely on your particular needs and the discernment of your coach; there is no standard formula, though most such meetings are necessarily focused on gathering information, assessing the client’s writing and goals, and developing a plan of action. After your first session, we suggest that you and your coach agree on a regular weekly or biweekly (once every two weeks) meeting time and stick to it. Over the years, we have found that consistent weekly or biweekly sessions generate the clearest improvements in our clients’ work and writing processes.

The Gilliam Writers Group is primarily an online company; however, if you’re interested in setting up in-person nonfiction writing classes near you, please book a consultation call to discuss. In certain cases, we may be able to offer creative writing lessons in NYC, which is home to a large part of our community.

Swapping Coaches

just in case.

If you find that you and your writing coach aren’t a match, or you decide to work with other GWG faculty in the future, our leadership team can support you in choosing another creative nonfiction coach.

Before matching you with another faculty member, we will usually suggest that you first tell your writing coach as clearly as possible what you believe is missing in your work together. Open, honest dialogue is essential to the service we offer; all GWG writing coaches have strong interpersonal skills, but none of us can read minds.

If clear communication does not yield the hoped-for results, or you no longer want to work with your coach for any reason, just let our leadership team know. We’ll initiate a new, more streamlined client-coach matching process, supplementing your original client brief (the one created during your initial consultation call) with updated information to reflect both your progress and the reasons you are pausing work with your previous coach.