mission and background
Everyone has a story. I love to help others trust in their own essential voice and to make meaning from their experiences. As a facilitator and guide, I seek to create nourishing spaces where deep personal inquiry can meet a broader awareness of the larger systemic realities that shape our lives and how we are all interconnected. In my classes and as a coach, I encourage brave and vulnerable sharing through writing, listening, and witnessing. As we call forth specific memories and details and ask authentic questions, together we can seek to hold the messy complexity of our evolving selves— and each other— with compassion, kindness, and care.
“Anne’s wise and generous teaching helped me find my voice as a writer. I’ve learned how to dig deep beneath the surface of my life, to alchemize fear and pain into story.”
Since 2006, I’ve worked with writers of all experience levels, whether in groups or one-on-one. Centering the voices of Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, Arab, and other marginalized people, I aim to create welcoming, trauma-informed, anti-racist spaces for people to learn and grow together. Many of my current classes are held exclusively for women and nonbinary writers (reserving at least one half of the spots for BIPOC), or for specific groups (e.g. mixed race people). However I’m happy to offer coaching, developmental editing, and other occasional workshops that are open to anyone. Past examples of workshops held through Hugo House have focused on creative nonfiction, collage memoir, and generative courses to help folks build a writing practice. I’ve also offered unique courses for mixed-race people, womxn and non-binary writers of color, Asian Americans, mothers, and writing/mindfulness retreats for women at the Whidbey Institute. Since 2020, I’ve been teaching primarily on my own; current offerings can be found below. I’m available to tailor a custom-made writing workshop for your organization.
“Anne’s beautifully constructed courses provide a motivating container for each writer’s unique development, from the complete novice to the already published author. Her own participation in the course also enriches the risk-taking and courageous vulnerability needed to bring forth whatever needs to be known to or learned by the writer.”
community writing workshops
Both/And: Reading and Writing the Mixed-Race Experience; late February - early May 2024
As multiracial people, it can be hard to know where we belong. In conversations around race, our perspectives often get overlooked or we may feel pressure to simplify our experiences. This class will hold space for mixed-race people to share freely about our evolving, multi-layered identities in a respectful environment. Each week we will read and discuss a diversity of essays/memoir excerpts, and free-write from prompts that explore topics such as: coming of age, messages we learned about race, whiteness, colorism, privilege, silence, non-binary thinking, community, and belonging.
Maximum number of participants: 16
Ten Weeks, Wednesday evenings 5-7 pm PST on ZOOM
February 28; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3 (skip April 10), 17, 24; May 1, May 8, 2024
Who is this workshop for:
This workshop is for any adult who wants to explore their mixed-race experiences. While you might not publicly call yourself mixed, it is still a part of your personal identity that you seek to unpack and explore through writing.
Transracial adoptees or Latine people who might share similar experiences or questions about their multi-layered identities and origins are also welcome.
This workshop is not for those who don’t identify as mixed on some level, such as parents of mixed children, although your interest is appreciated.
This workshop is for those who are willing to embrace paradox, complexity, questions without definitive answers, and how multiple truths can co-exist at the same time.
Workshop Intentions:
To create a space where mixed-race folks can write freely and listen to each other’s writing about our identities, memories, experiences, feelings, questions, ideas, and more.
To recognize that there are a multitude of identities and experiences that exist under this umbrella of being “mixed,” and to begin to name some of the layers of convergence and divergence amidst us.
To read and discuss a variety of readings by folks from diverse racial backgrounds (including monoracial folks) that explore topics like race, racism, whiteness, privilege, paradox, identity, family, community, and more, using them as jump-off points to express our own ideas on the page.
To generate lots of raw material and deepen our writing practice.
To build trust, community, and a space where we can lean into challenging conversations where we might disagree, but can respect group agreements and compassionate communication.
Although this is not a craft-based class, we will also dip into discussing the process/craft of writing personal essays and memoir, looking at topics like: free-writing; scene, summary, and reflection; point of view (writing in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person or in past or present tense), and more.
Folks are invited to optionally prepare a draft to submit to Anne for feedback and/or to engage in a 1:1 coaching call for an additional fee.
Recordings of sessions are provided if you need to miss a class, but ideally you should foresee being able to come to the majority of the sessions in person. (The continuity of having the same group of people there each week, building on shared conversations and insights, is an essential component to building mutual trust and understanding. With that said, I understand that unexpected needs arise and welcome you to keep showing up the best you can.)
What you receive:
Ten weeks of 2-hour workshops held by a skilled facilitator and writing guide.
Weekly emails that recap what we cover in each session, along with homework readings, writing prompts to try at home, and a chance to exchange your writing with others, if desired.
Resources for further learning will be offered.
A complimentary copy of Anne’s memoir, Heart Radical, mailed to your home or to a friend if you/they live in the U.S.
registration form and payment information:
To register for the workshop, please fill out this Google Registration form.
- After receiving your form, I will send you confirmation of receipt within 48 business hours along with a payment link that reflects the payment options you have selected on the form from the below choices.
- After I send you the payment link, payment is due right away, with a one-week grace period. If the workshop is almost full, I will let you know when I send the link that payment is due right away to confirm your enrollment. In order to ensure your spot in the workshop, both the payment and the completed Google form must be received. Unless you are applying for a scholarship, spots will be filled on a first-come first-serve basis. Thank you for understanding.
A. Workshop Base Price: $630 or pay in two equal installments and and I will invoice you $315 upon receipt of your Google form, and $315 two weeks prior to the first class.
B. Workshop plus Editing/Coaching Add-on: $730 or pay in two equal installments and and I will invoice you $365 upon receipt of your Google form, and $365 two weeks prior to the first class.
For an additional $100 you may opt to submit to me a piece up to 2,500 words for feedback. This will include light line edits and a long, detailed letter summarizing what I see as some of your piece’s core themes and strengths, what your piece is about at heart, as well as suggestions about where to expand, clarify, cut back, or how to otherwise consider structuring your piece and making it stronger. (This assumes I’ll spend about one hour with your piece, and is offered at a deep discount from my usual editing rate.)
Alternately, you may opt to schedule a one-hour coaching call where we can talk about anything related to writing, mixed-race identities, submitting work, publishing, and more.
Scholarship Applications:
Scholarship Applications are DUE JANUARY 25, 2024:
This year I am able to offer 1- 3 partial scholarships in the amount of 50% or 75% or 90% off the base price (so, you’d pay $315 or $150 or $63; editing add-on not included).
The number of scholarships I ultimately offer will depend on the amount requested and the demonstrated need. I strive to make my offerings accessible to as many people as possible, so please only ask for the amount that you need to make it work (i.e. if you can figure out how to pay more, I am then able to offer more aid to others as well).
Please only apply for these limited scholarships if you truly cannot find a way to attend without aid. These scholarships are offered via my own limited funds as a self-employed writer/business owner, and through the donations of my community via annual fundraising. While many of us may be on a tight budget, there is a difference between those who might have some savings, ways to borrow or raise money, and/or stable employment, versus those who are living check-to-check or with no money to spare for extra expenses beyond essentials. Thank you for helping me make my courses more accessible to those most in need.
TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP:
If instead of paying, you are applying for a partial scholarship (deadline: 1.25.24), please fill out the indicated fields in the same Google Registration Form. I will aim to let you know if I am able to offer you a scholarship within two weeks after the application deadline. Please let me know within 48 hours of the email being sent whether or not you accept the scholarship; I will then send you an invoice for your remaining payment which will due right away in order to hold your spot (unless we have agreed otherwise, e.g. if you need an extra few days). If I do not hear back from you in 48 hours or your payment is delayed beyond any pre-arranged agreement, I may move on to offer the award to the someone else. Thank you for your understanding.
Donations appreciated:
If you would like to help fund the tuition of a person who would not otherwise be able to attend this workshop, I would be so grateful.
To donate to the Scholarship Fund, please also use the Google form, after which I will send you a payment link that reflects your tuition + donation, OR you can Venmo @anne-liu-kellor at any time if you are moved to do so. Thank you so much!
Every year I rely on my generous community to fund as many scholarships as we can. (Any extra funds that might not be utilized for this season’s class will be put in the need-based scholarship fund for marginalized writers in my Yearlong Manuscript Program for Womxn and Nonbinary Writers and future workshops.)
Other registration, waitlist, and refund information:
As long as spots are still available you may register up until the day before the first class, so long as both the form and payment are received. (I will do my best to immediately indicate on the website if the workshop is full.)
If the workshop is full, I will add your name to the waiting list in the order that your inquiry was received.
Full refunds less a $20 admin fee will be provided if you let me know in writing. up until one week prior to the first class. After that, refunds may be provided at my discretion only if I am able to fill your spot for the class.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. If you have sent in your Google Form registration, expect to hear back from me within 48 business hours with a payment link to complete your registration. If you don’t hear back, feel free to email me in case you caught me during a busy or offline period. Thank you so much for your interest!
Programs coming in 2024 and beyond…
Yearlong Manuscript Program for Women and Nonbinary writers 9.24 - 8.25
In 2020, I started offering an annual yearlong program for womxn and nonbinary writers working on a book-length memoir or collection of essays. This private program is for a group of 8 writers who are dedicated to making progress on their book-length nonfiction manuscripts, and who seek to work in community with others. Some may still not be sure if they are writing towards an essay collection or memoir, while others may have already mapped out a structure or completed an early draft. Ultimately I will seek to create a cohesive cohort where all members can learn from each other, whether you consider yourself ‘emerging’ or ‘experienced’.
applications for 2024-2025 cohort will be available in june 2024
Initial introductions and coaching calls will begin in late September, with weekly cohort meetings in October and November, and after that, we’ll meet twice monthly, usually on third Tuesdays and first Saturdays (exact dates available in May). This cohort will be facilitated via Slack and Zoom, so anyone from around the world can join us, but many participants reside in the Pacific Northwest. The final gathering will be in-person in August in Seattle. Please make sure you can attend most of the sessions, although they can be recorded if you need to miss a few.
Whether you are in the early stages of articulating what your book is about or need motivation to take a draft to the next level, this program will help you focus, get valuable feedback, and accelerate your progress. Participants will:
Free-write and share from prompts, receive readings for inspiration and craft lessons, and check in on progress each week (via Slack);
Attend one Tuesday-night generative writing session per month (via Zoom, 5 p.m. PT);
Prepare feedback for peers and attend twelve Saturday workshops throughout the year via Zoom (10-12:345 p.m. PT), eight of which will be workshop sessions where one half of the cohort receives feedback on up to 20 pages of writing.
Receive regular deadlines and feedback from Anne on three 20-page workshop submissions, as well as on two shorter pieces, and on synopsis, outline, and query letter assignments.
Receive seven 45-minute Zoom coaching calls every two months with Anne.
Receive a manuscript evaluation for up to 80,000 words (note: this is not a complete developmental edit).
Culminate with a group reading and celebration in Seattle.
This program may appeal to you if you…
Need the accountability and continuity that goes beyond what taking sporadic workshops can offer.
Want the benefits of ongoing mentorship and community without the rigid schedule and costly expense of an M.F.A.
Seek a teacher who values mindfulness, connection, vulnerability, self-reflection, and honoring your body and intuitive wisdom .
Value a guide who centers BIPOC and other marginalized writers, and employs an anti-racist and trauma-informed lens.
Want an experienced editor to read and give you feedback on your entire manuscript up to 80,000 words.
Seek a deeper understanding of your own intentions, goals, gifts, challenges, needs, and the core themes in your work.
want to explore working together in this intimate cohort?
Please join my mailing list if you would like to receive the cohort details and application when available, or check back here in May. Most of the details I’ll post online, but you’ll need to request the pdf application to see them all.
Applications consist of a 10-page writing sample; description of your book project; short bio; statement of your experience level, interest, and commitment to the cohort and community model and anti-racist guidelines-- specific requirements provided in pdf provided upon request.
Open to 8 women or nonbinary identified participants, with at least half of the spaces reserved for womxn of color.
Sliding scale payment method with three tiers to choose from, starting at $4800. EXACT PRICING INFO AVAILABLE IN JUNE.
Payment plans and Scholarships available at 50-75% off the lowest tiered price.
Testimonials from past cohort participants:
“This experience has been Amazing. Nourishing. Pushing, gently nudging, exactly as much as I want to be pushed to grow. If you are looking for a cohort of creative nonfiction writers with an incredible teacher/mentor/coach, check this out.” – Krista Hanson
“Anne is masterful at holding a container of safety, creativity, and growth in which we feel seen, heard, respected, and flourish as writers. She really seeks to understand and accommodate how we each receive coaching and instruction. The cohort has been such a bright light in a sometimes difficult year.” – Amabel Narvaez
“I hadn’t realized, before, how much I had taken in of “best practices,” many of which have served to constrict my imagination rather than give it wing. Anne expanded—exploded!—my sense of what’s possible with the memoir form. Her mastery of group facilitation provided our cohort a rare opportunity to join as strangers and come out the other side as deep collaborators and trusted friends.” – Leticia Lopez
“Through many excellent readings, homework, free writes, the support of a group, and accountability check-ins, I now have a viable draft of a traditional memoir. My path has become clearer thanks to a year of concentrated focusing on craft." – Julene
“Joining this writing group was one of the best experiences of my life. Anne is gifted at creating a space of safety, open-heartedness and vulnerability where we were invited to explore areas of our lives to write into. The readings and teaching she shared were thoughtful and inspiring--I learned much more than about writing, but an exploration of life with a group I grew to care deeply about, as we shared a year of our lives together.” – Lenna Liu
“I wrote a book this year, and it's because of Anne Liu Kellor. She is a master at creating a framework of accountability and a community of support, and her insight as an editor and writing coach is invaluable. She is clearly on a spiritual path not just to write but also to lift up other writers.” – Norea Hoft
“Anne Liu Kellor's CNF manuscript cohort transformed me. Where I had little confidence in my voice and story, my writing self emerged into an emboldened extension of my life's purpose, equipped with an invaluable set of tools, practices, and relationships to inspire me. Every step of the cohort journey I felt held, valued, and improved by the compassionate and insightful leadership of Anne and my colleagues. Through this cohort, I am changed.” – Alayna Erhart
For more student and client testimonials, as well as frequently asked questions, look here.
What students are saying
frequently asked questions
How do we know if we’ll be a good fit? Do you offer free consultations? What is your discounted package rate?
Yes! If you are interested in exploring working with me for a coaching/editing package, I am happy to provide a free 20-minute phone conversation. Otherwise, we can email first and see if a call is needed. I can also email you my coaching and editing informational sheet with current rates. My 2023 package rate is $150/hour.
What does a typical coaching/editing package look like?
Many clients opt to work with me for 3-4 month blocks. This includes: an initial coaching call and brainstorming/goal-setting session; then, each month or two you send me a pre-agreed number of pages and I offer you developmental and/or copyedits, depending on what stage your work is in. You might also opt to receive weekly email check-ins or prompts, to meet over zoom each month for a coaching call, or to simply bookend your package with one final call, at which time we can decide to renew our contract if desired. Altogether this will equal 10+ hours of my time, at a discounted package rate.
What if I’m not ready for a full package? Do you offer feedback on individual pieces or one-time calls? What is your hourly rate?
While I prefer to work with writers who would like to sign up for a 3-month or more coaching/editing package, or to edit book-length manuscripts, I am open to offering one-time sessions or providing feedback on individual essays, memoir, or other forms of creative nonfiction. My editing hourly rate is $160 an hour; zoom coaching is $180 (last updated 12.23), or a limited number of sliding scale slots.
How does coaching differ from editing?
While many editors can give you feedback on the craft of your writing, oftentimes what gets in the way of a writer’s progress are: ideas the writer has about the value of their voice and story; fear of other’s judgment; patterns of procrastination and perfectionism; or concerns over time and money. These blocks are intimately related to our capitalistic, patriarchal society and ideas that we are “not good enough” or that there are not enough resources for everyone to have a voice and to create. As a coach I will help you to identify some of your core beliefs that may hinder your progress in establishing your own thriving writing practice. I can help you tap into why you love to write, why it is valuable to set your own standards of “success,” and what gets in the way of embracing the practices that give you life.
Do you edit full manuscripts?
Yes! I love working as a developmental editor on memoirs, essays, and other creative nonfiction manuscripts, including hybrid works. I embrace both letting the writing and story inform what kind of structure to employ, as well as outlining— knowing that the outline will continue to evolve. I believe in letting the book become what it wants to become, and I will offer insight into how this corresponds with the publishing industry's preferences. I also offer light copyediting that can help you strengthen your prose or otherwise shape the flow and readability of your chapters.
I charge by the hour and can offer an estimated quote once I see sample pages and/or the full manuscript. (Most manuscripts from 30k - 100k words will need anywhere from 5-15 hours on a first pass.) If your manuscript needs more work at the core level, my first pass will focus on larger take-aways and structural suggestions. If your manuscript is further along and structurally sound, my feedback can focus more on finer craft details. Depending on how what stage your manuscript is in and your overall timeframe and budget, I can either aim to give more detailed feedback at the onset which will take longer, or to limit my comments to my core suggestions during my first pass-- and then leave it up to you whether you'd like me to give it another look. I ultimately want to give your manuscript the time it needs, and the right amount of feedback for you to take it to the next stage on your own with my support. If I can tell as I dig in that I'm going to exceed my estimated quote, I will let you know before I proceed to do so. Please email me for my current rate sheet or for more information.
What is a developmental edit?
In a developmental edit, I will write you a long letter summarizing your writing and book’s overall strengths and weaknesses, and naming what I think your book is about, whether speaking to its narrative arc and guiding core questions, and/or pointing towards underlying imagery and weaving of themes. I will analyze your book’s overall structure, paying close attention to its first 50 pages and overall shape (hero's journey beginning, middle, and end or braided/collage/non-traditional structures or flow between separate essays), as well as its voice, tone, point of view, and balance of scene, summary, and reflection. I may suggest potential alternate ways of structuring that may better highlight your book’s thrust and meaning, or marketability. I will point out any larger craft issues or strengths, and offer light corresponding line edits (more line edits if time allows). I will summarize my main takeaways of what to prioritize when tackling your next round of revisions, after which we can discuss whether you want to send me another draft-- or if you feel ready to move on to a copyeditor.
What is the difference between a manuscript evaluation a developmental edit, or copyedit, or proofread?
You might think of a manuscript evaluation as a cliff notes version of a developmental edit. I used to offer evaluations until I realized that if I'm already spending that much time with your work, I want to give you my full strategical feedback and not leave you guessing about how to go about 'fixing' the issues I might point out. With that said, I can still aim to limit the initial scope of my feedback if you are on a budget and don't want to go beyond X number of initially contracted hours. As such, I often suggest that folks start with a 10-hour package in order to obtain my package rate, for if there are any hours not used, we can always use them towards a coaching call, synopis edit, or revisions. This article does a nice job of explaining developmental vs. copyedits vs. proofreads.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes! I offer a limited number of partial scholarships to each of my workshops or programs, most of which are funded by my annual asks of my community, i.e. they are mostly funded by former students who want to pay it forward and give others the gift of professional writing mentorship and community. I also offer sliding scale coaching and editing packages each year to BIPOC or other marginalized writers with financial need. Please don't hesitate to ask me about this.
How can I help more BIPOC and other marginalized (disabled, queer, etc.) writers access your classes and services?
I now have an ongoing scholarship fund that anyone can donate to at any time, which goes towards funding several need-based scholarships (at 50% and 75% off) for marginalized writers accepted into my yearlong manuscript program, as well as a few partial scholarships for each of my 10-week sessions. You can Venmo me @anne-liu-kellor to donate. Any amount, large or small, is greatly appreciated.
I am heartened by the newly emerging models of fee-structures that seek to rebalance access and equity, and I continue to evolve my own learning and practices to make my offerings more available to those without financial means, while still paying myself a living wage as an independent artist and teacher living in an expensive city. This requires that more of us with privilege step up and recognize the value in freely offering more resources to others in order for our collective communities to become more diverse, liberatory, and anti-racist. Unlearning capitalistic norms and becoming more generous by recognizing our true means is a lifelong evolving practice that ultimately gives back to our own wellbeing and humanity. Thank you for learning alongside me!
