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We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Ben C. Davies, Linda Michel-Cassidy, Tania Malik, and T.K. Rex will be reading short and flash fiction for the July 18th Reading & Meeting, Short & Flashy. Terry Tierney will emcee. Refreshments will be provided.
Read more about our featured writers:
Ben C. Davies is a Californian-based author whose debut short story collection, And So I Took Their Eye, was published on July 17 by Bridge House Publishing. Originally from the UK, his short fiction has appeared in journals such as The Fiery Scribe Review, Left Brain Media, and Downtime Review, while his articles have been featured in Electric Literature, Work, Huck, The International Times, and Lost. He serves as an editor for the Ginosko Literary Journal, is a member of The Writers Grotto, and is currently finishing his debut novel, Black Sand. In addition to his writing, Davies is the co-founder and director of Studio Luce, a Guatemalan writing and artist residency.
Linda Michel-Cassidy joined the The Writers Grotto in early 2024. Her story collection, When Were Hardcore, was released by EastOver Press in February 2025. Hardcore recently won an Indie Excellence award, and was an editor’s pick at Publisher’s Weekly Booklife. Michel-Cassidy is a senior editor for reviews and hybrid/collab at Tupelo Quarterly, and is a juror for the National Book Critics Circle and the Northern CA Book Awards. Her poetry has appeared or is upcoming in Rattle, New Orleans Review, December, and elsewhere. She teaches for the Summer Writer’s Conference in Taos, NM, and is the editor for the Marin Poetry Center anthology. Michel-Cassidy holds MFAs in fiction (Bennington), poetry (VCFA), and visual arts (CCA). She lives on a houseboat in Sausalito and is a novice open-water swimmer.
Tania Malik is the author of the novel Hope You Are Satisfied (Unnamed Press/Verve Books UK), which was recommended by NPR and named one of the best espionage novels of 2023 by CrimeReads. Her previous novel, Three Bargains (W.W. Norton), received a Publishers Weekly Starred review and a Booklist Starred review. Her work has appeared in Electric Literature, Lit Hub, Split Lip Magazine, The Brooklyn Rail, Off-Assignment, Write or Die Magazine, Full Stop Magazine, Salon.com, Calyx Journal, Baltimore Review, and other publications. More at www.taniamalik.com.
T. K. Rex is a science fiction and fantasy author from the western states, whose stories can be read in more than forty publications, including two anthologies they probably brought with them today: Bright Green Futures and Metamorphosis: Climate Fiction for a Better Future; as well as their debut collection, The Wildcraft Drones, coming in fall 2026. They’re an alumni of the Clarion writers workshop; a twenty-year denizen of San Francisco; and the co-host of a new reading series at Cafe Suspiro on Folsom Street, starting July 10, called Stir. T. K.'s stories, socials, and newsletter can be found at tkrex.wtf.
WEDNESDAY, July 23rd-Aug. 27th | Maybe you have an idea you have had for years or a vague story starting to form. You keep thinking you want to start a novel, memoir or creative non-fiction book, but something stops you; still, there is a little flame of something that wants to come alive, something inside you that wants to be written. In this workshop, we will help you fan the flames of your little ember. You will start by developing your story idea and then write an outline. A messy outline, probably one that will change, but a starting point! And then write a very messy first chapter and get feedback in a supportive group. Come with your idea and an urge to go deep. Lean into your obsessions, your weirdness, and your passions.
FRIDAYS, Aug. 1st - 22nd | Poetry in the Flesh is a four-week generative workshop that invites writers to root their poetry in the physical, the immediate, and the emotionally resonant. Through voice, imagery, rhythm, and symbolic layering, we’ll explore how a poem breathes and moves—how it pulses with life.
This class is designed for poets who want to deepen their craft and connect more fully to the voice within their bodies and stories. We’ll focus on poems that ground feeling in sensation, speak across time and memory, and reveal layers of meaning through deliberate structure and voice.
We’ll read and discuss the work of poets including June Jordan, Ross Gay, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Gwendolyn Brooks, Natalie Diaz, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Carolyn Forché, among others. Through discussion, close reading, and hands-on writing exercises, each week will offer an opportunity to produce new work, experiment with form, and connect with a vibrant community of writers.
What Participants Will Gain:
Thursdays, Aug. 7th - Sept. 11th | In a safe, supportive community, learn how to plan a successful submissions strategy that increases your chances of getting published. In this workshop you will:
It's time to set aside the bevy of excuses about why you're not sending your work out to creative writing journals, magazines, and contests. Take this workshop and get results! Students will complete weekly assignments.
Saturday, August 9th New Dates!| Many writers don’t really understand what a publisher wants. That’s because writing and storytelling are not the same. Writing gorgeous sentences is one thing. Telling a story with suspense and stakes is another. Great writers do both–and you can too. In this workshop you’ll examine and revise the beginning of your novel to help you blend beautiful prose and tight, consequential plot to create pages that draw your readers in.
We’ll examine short excerpts of great novels, stories, children’s books and more to level up your writing with relatable characterization, deep emotion, conflict, tension, and big themes. This is a generative revision workshop with a lot of writing to prompts, and you will learn some concrete strategies to whip your novel’s beginning into shape.
Bring the first 5 pages of your novel in progress either in hard copy or on your computer. If you want to work from hard copy, please have sticky notes and three colors of highlighters or colored pencils. This class is for all levels and genres.
Optional add-on: After the workshop, students have 10 days to send their revised first 5 pages to receive written feedback for an additional $40. Feedback will be given within two weeks of submission.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
Saturdays, Sept. 13th - Oct. 18th | Have you thought about enrolling in a Creative Writing MFA program, but feel intimidated by the application process? Do you fret about how to make your application rise to the top in a stack of fierce competitors? How can you avoid the most common pitfalls?
You know how competitive these programs are and how exacting the admissions requirements can be. Learn how to curate a polished, professional, impactful application package that's designed to impress admission committees. In this workshop learn:
Though this class is geared for people thinking about or planning to apply to an MFA program in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry, playwrights and screenwriters are also welcome.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
We welcome you to an evening of readings by members of The Writers Grotto. Refreshments will be provided.
Editing on consultation on nonfiction book manuscripts.
A dramaturgical script consultant can function in several ways. Depending on the project we function as a literary, historical, or artistic advisor as you are developing your script for the stage or screen.
Consultations can look multiple ways. For example, perhaps you just need 1-2 script meetings to discuss story evolution, character development or consistency in theme. Or perhaps you need someone to comment on what is working, what feels like it is missing, and a list of questions to support development. Or perhaps you want 4 -6 session of coaching, homework, and suggestions for how to strengthen, tighten, clarify in the service of moving your script forward.
Consultation fees are developed in conversation about the project (bespoke), and begin around 150.00- 200.00 an hour.
Doug Henderson offers two levels of developmental editing:
Full Developmental Edit for $12/page. This level provides writers with a comprehensive road map that will help them hone their manuscripts for publication. This includes:
-An initial conversation about the project (via Zoom).
-Extensive page notes, including editing suggestions, margin comments and questions.
-A thorough editorial letter discussing craft and structure elements — such as theme, tension, narrative and character arcs — as well as thoughtful suggestions to strengthen your story.
-A second conversation to discuss next steps.
Read-Through Evaluation for $8/page. This level is good for writers who want broader feedback, including new writers who want early advice, or more experienced writers who seek general input, but don’t need or want detailed editing. This includes:
-An initial conversation about the project.
-Light page notes.
-A thorough editorial letter discussing craft and structure elements — such as theme, tension, narrative and character arcs — as well as thoughtful suggestions to strengthen your story.
-A second conversation to discuss next steps.
Let’s chat about how your ideas fit into a basic story structure that will lead to an engaging narrative. Send me up to 2000 words of idea or story summary prior to meeting consult. Session will take place via Zoom.
Polish your writing with Carly Stern, an award-winning independent journalist. Carly offers one-on-one consultations on all forms of narrative non-fiction, with an emphasis on writing about the self. Her work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, the Guardian US and The Washington Post.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Polish your prose with New York Times best-selling author Julia Scheeres.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee.
Are you struggling to finalize a piece of science writing, whether it's an academic manuscript, article, or marketing blog? Need editorial help to make sure your message is clear and concise without losing accuracy? Jenny can help you improve your scientific content, using her unique combination of scientific and creative expertise.
Jenny Qi has a PhD in Cancer Biology from UC San Francisco and over a decade of experience in science communication spanning a range of industries, including biopharma, tech, and journalism.
This listing is for a 20-minute consultation to determine the scope of the project.
As an award-winning journalist, author, and consultant with decades of experience, I offer expert editorial consulting services at competitive rates. I write reports, policy briefs, articles, op-eds, blogs, and other materials for major national institutions and individual clients. As a veteran reporter, I also help writers develop and tell their stories for articles and book projects. First, we discuss your project and needs and how I can meet them, then I provide you with an estimate and we move forward with a simple straightforward contract. I look forward to talking with you, learning more about your project, and working together. Estimates are based on $100/hour fee. You can check out my work at www.christopherdcook.com.
Industry veteran writer-director-producer provides consulting for documentary and narrative film projects of any length and at any stage, from concept to pitch deck to rough cut to screenplay draft. Production services also available through Bay Area-based The Unscripted Company.
We will build your fictional work in a collaborative process for as long as it takes to create a whole and satisfying story. Thaisa Frank, a Pushcart Fellow, has published a novel and three collection of short stories. Her original approach, developed through teaching, addresses fiction from all cultures.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Laird Harrison, author of the novel Fallen Lake, provides editing and consultation services on all aspects of novel writing.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Laird Harrison will work with you one-on-one to improve your written communication. Laird has experience with both creative and business writing and can assist with all levels of writing.
Full-length poetry collections (45-80 pages in length).
Individual Poems up to 2 pages in length.
Folios consultation, up to 7 pages in length, with no more than 5 poems.
Chapbooks consultation (16-40 pages in length).
Got an idea for a children’s book? As the brilliant Madeleine L'Engle said, "You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grownups, then you write it for children.” In this 30-minute private Zoom consult, Lisa will give feedback on your idea to help you realize your vision and elevate your story to reach multiple audiences in today’s market. And if you don’t know what “multiple audiences” means in the kid-lit genre, that’s okay; she will tell you! Lisa’s YA crossover novel JUST LIKE BEAUTY was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and is in pre-production as a movie. She has decades of experience writing children’s books for major publishers and regularly teaches workshops to kids and adults who want to write for kids. In her free time, she enjoys petting rabbits and eating cake. Curious cats can find out more at www.lisalerner.com
In this three-session package of Creativity Hypnosis, experienced hypnotherapist and writing coach Jenny Bitner will help you delve into the depths of your subconscious mind to awaken your imagination and overcome creative blocks. This can be customized to deal with whatever issues around writing you are experiencing. Start this journey today!
Unleash your writing potential with Jenny Bitner. As a trained hypnotherapist, coach, and writing teacher, she'll help you overcome fear and tap into your creativity. Experience a transformative hypnotic session to release barriers and claim your full potential as a writer. Take the first step today.
Initial bespoke services consultation by email to determine the fee. Katia will draw on her expertise as an award-winning longform journalist to provide written feedback on magazine pitches. Katia has written for The New Yorker, Forbes, Mother Jones, Marie Claire, The Atavist Magazine and many other publications.
Initial bespoke services consultation to determine the fee. Maw is a writing coach and editor for poets. Maw has many years of experience as an educator, author, and editor. She teaches in the MFA Program at the University of San Francisco and is the inaugural poet laureate of El Cerrito, CA. You can learn more about her at mawsheinwin.com.