amanda castleman - writing instruction

Class time

I teach formal courses via Writers.com, Travel Writing Class and the Richard Hugo House. Further details here.

Below are some of my other services. I've coached newbies into the Christian Science Monitor and cub reporters into Islands and National Geographic Traveler. I also helped a former Wall Street Journal editor land her first New York Times clip and consulted on pieces recognized by Best American Travel Writing. Whatever the level, I enjoy working one-on-one with colleagues.

Writing
Coaching

Even experienced authors sometimes need guidance: an external eye and cheerleading voice. I work with writers on voice development, plot structure, grammar and rhetoric, data mining, marketing, pitching (articles and book proposals) and – often the greatest hurdle of all – just getting started. We confer online or in coffeeshops in Ballard, Seattle.

Fee: $50 an hour by arrangement with the instructor. For a larger, on-going projects, “bulk discounts” are available.

Independent
Study
Some students are unable to commit to ten consecutive weeks, due to scheduling conflicts. Work through the curriculum at your own pace. Independent study includes ten lectures (posted online or emailed) and ten critiques. Assignments may be modified to best suit your project.
Fee: $400 by arrangement with the instructor

Manuscript
Consulation

I devise a three- to five-page report, outlining suggestions for improved clarity, style and marketability. Most effectively, this is paired with a line-critique: a detailed edit, which reveals a writer's unconscious patterns and explains the rationale behind changing them.

Fee: $1 per double-spaced page by arragement with the instructor. Please note, this service is only available for longer projects, 50 pages or more. Line-critiques cost $50 per 750 words.

Payment
Personal checks in US dollars are accepted for independent study, coaching sessions and manuscript consultations. Paypal is also fine, but students are responsible for any related fees (usually 2.9%).

Comments

"I haven't taken Amanda Castleman's class – I already make a living as a travel writer – but because she's a friend, she just looked over a 6,000-word piece I was doing for National Geographic Traveler. Plain and simple, her comments and suggestions were the best I have ever seen from any editor, anywhere. Amanda's a genius."
– Edward Readicker-Henderson
Winner of a 2004 Lowell Thomas Award.

"Amanda is a phenomenal editor and a patient teacher – precise but not nitpicky, critical but not harsh. My writing is clearer and more focused than ever before. I spent eight semesters in creative writing classes at UC Berkeley, and Amanda offered more guidance and carefully directed help than any professor I took there."
–Jenna Williams

"She is a dream teacher, just the right balance between a knuckle-rapping tutor and a mom full of hugs. Thanks again for Writers on the Net. The course fees are lots cheaper than a shrink!"
– Linda Petrucelli

"To have my first article accepted by the first publication I approached – the Christian Science Monitor – was like rocket fuel for me, and I have Amanda Castleman's expertise to thank."
– Anne Clippinger, PhD
Adjunct Lecturer, Department of English, Montgomery College, Md.

"After taking her class, I went on to publish a number of travel writing stories and currently have 20 travel assignments due to my favourite editor (Canadian Living's online presence: www.canadianliving.com) before July 1. I started picking up assignments while taking Amanda's class and have kept all my notes for easy reference. Cheers."
– Dee Van Dyk
Professional Member
Periodical Writers Association of Canada
Travel Media Association of Canada

Read more reviews

Resources

I've posted some advice here, as well as a list of books and sites useful for travel writing, part of my curriculum.

Updated January 2008

Back to the main page

*Class time*		I teach formal courses via Writers.com, Travel Writing Class and the Richard Hugo House. Further details here. Below are some of my other services. I've coached newbies into the Christian Science Monitor and cub reporters into Islands and National Geographic Traveler. I also helped a former Wall Street Journal editor land her first New York Times clip and consulted on pieces recognized by Best American Travel Writing. Whatever the level, I enjoy working one-on-one with colleagues.
Writing Coaching		Even experienced authors sometimes need guidance: an external eye and cheerleading voice. I work with writers on voice development, plot structure, grammar and rhetoric, data mining, marketing, pitching (articles and book proposals) and – often the greatest hurdle of all – just getting started. We confer online or in coffeeshops in Ballard, Seattle. Fee: $50 an hour by arrangement with the instructor. For a larger, on-going projects, “bulk discounts” are available.
Independent Study		Some students are unable to commit to ten consecutive weeks, due to scheduling conflicts. Work through the curriculum at your own pace. Independent study includes ten lectures (posted online or emailed) and ten critiques. Assignments may be modified to best suit your project. Fee: $400 by arrangement with the instructor
Manuscript Consulation		I devise a three- to five-page report, outlining suggestions for improved clarity, style and marketability. Most effectively, this is paired with a line-critique: a detailed edit, which reveals a writer's unconscious patterns and explains the rationale behind changing them. Fee: $1 per double-spaced page by arragement with the instructor. Please note, this service is only available for longer projects, 50 pages or more. Line-critiques cost $50 per 750 words.
Payment		Personal checks in US dollars are accepted for independent study, coaching sessions and manuscript consultations. Paypal is also fine, but students are responsible for any related fees (usually 2.9%).
Comments		"I haven't taken Amanda Castleman's class – I already make a living as a travel writer – but because she's a friend, she just looked over a 6,000-word piece I was doing for National Geographic Traveler. Plain and simple, her comments and suggestions were the best I have ever seen from any editor, anywhere. Amanda's a genius." – Edward Readicker-Henderson Winner of a 2004 Lowell Thomas Award. "Amanda is a phenomenal editor and a patient teacher – precise but not nitpicky, critical but not harsh. My writing is clearer and more focused than ever before. I spent eight semesters in creative writing classes at UC Berkeley, and Amanda offered more guidance and carefully directed help than any professor I took there." –Jenna Williams "She is a dream teacher, just the right balance between a knuckle-rapping tutor and a mom full of hugs. Thanks again for Writers on the Net. The course fees are lots cheaper than a shrink!" – Linda Petrucelli "To have my first article accepted by the first publication I approached – the Christian Science Monitor – was like rocket fuel for me, and I have Amanda Castleman's expertise to thank." – Anne Clippinger, PhD Adjunct Lecturer, Department of English, Montgomery College, Md. "After taking her class, I went on to publish a number of travel writing stories and currently have 20 travel assignments due to my favourite editor (Canadian Living's online presence: www.canadianliving.com) before July 1. I started picking up assignments while taking Amanda's class and have kept all my notes for easy reference. Cheers." – Dee Van Dyk Professional Member Periodical Writers Association of Canada Travel Media Association of Canada *Read more reviews*
Resources		I've posted some advice here, as well as a list of books and sites useful for travel writing, part of my curriculum.
Updated January 2008		*Back to the main page*