Looking to integrate writing into your life in sustainable ways?

Ready to focus on your own creative goals and deepen your writing craft?

Striving to better manage your own editorial process?

Become your own Best Editor—for life.

Joyfully live the writing life.

Overcome your literary restlessness.

Fall in love with revision and discovery on the page.

Learn to coach yourself through uncertainty.

Enjoy the supportive, immersive feel of a residency from your own home.

And thrive in Monthly Mentorship.

  • Katey Schultz, founder & director

    Katey Schultz is the award-winning author of Flashes of War (stories) and Still Come Home (novel), both published by Loyola University Maryland. She is the recipient of nearly a dozen fiction awards, and has received writing fellowships in eight states. Katey is also the founder of Monthly Mentorship, a transformative mentoring program for creative writers that has been recognized by both CNBC and the What Works Network.

  • Desiree Cooper

    Desiree Cooper, a genre-fluid writer, defied convention by publishing her first book, Know the Mother, at 56. Her journey from law practice to journalism earned her two Pulitzer Prize nominations. Now, she's a prolific author with essays in prestigious publications and a celebrated children's book, Nothing Special. As a writing instructor, she fosters creativity beyond academia.

  • Alejandro de Acosta

    Alejandro de Acosta, a versatile teacher, writer, and translator with a Ph.D. in Philosophy, excels in shaping books through editorial feedback and presentations. His translations span Spanish and French philosophy and poetry, while his published essays showcase his critical prowess. He shares his wisdom through teaching at PNCA, Portland State University, and Al-Quds University, with a unique approach that values the informal and ephemeral. Based in Gainesville, Florida, his work often takes form in performance rather than traditional publication.

  • Sarah Seltzer

    Sarah Seltzer is a feminist journalist, novelist, and cultural critic. Her writing for publications—including The New York Times, TIME, Jezebel, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, The Nation, and many other places—has shaped the discourse on subjects ranging from Hollywood casting, to abortion rights, to the death of department store shopping.

    Sarah received an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has had fiction published in The Normal School, Joyland, and elsewhere. Currently, she's the Executive Editor at Lilith magazine. The Singer Sisters, publishing with Flatiron in summer 2024, is her debut novel.

Apply starting on August 12, 2024 at monthlymentorship.org/apply and a faculty member will reach out to you within 72 hours to clarify your goals and discuss how the program meets your needs. Apply now, as the program fills quickly.
The upcoming season of Monthly Mentorship will begin in mid-August 2025 and conclude in mid-April 2026.

  • “Katey has put a lot of effort into building a program for both experienced and less-experienced writers–it is very noticeable in the lessons. She always makes sure to follow through with us on our goals and objectives, and she encourages creative growth.”

    — Neena Pottoore, Right to Write Award recipient 2023-2024

  • “The community I’ve been woven into is invaluable and the knowledge that permeates through all of us is priceless. I highly recommend the program to anyone who wants to professionalize their writing practice and gain some real momentum in their perspectives of themselves and what they can produce in their writing.”

    — Andrew Wiechert, RIght to Write Award recipient 2020-2021

  • “The mentorship program has not only been inspiring; it has been central to my life—one of the most meaningful endeavors I’ve ever committed to.”

    — Anne Martens

  • A woman smiling and looking right in a brown sweater

    “I am realizing the benefit I’ve gotten from working with the Monthly Mentorship curriculum and faculty. I feel more confident in my ability to guide my own work. I plan to get some readers to give me feedback on my draft, but I don’t feel so dependent on others as I’m revising.”

    — Rasma Haidri

  • A woman standing outside with an ocean behind her and a palm tree over her left shoulder.

    “Monthly Mentorship was incredibly helpful in bringing together elements of living creatively, finding ways to write with a sustainable practice, and practical tips and advice from others in the writing world. Each month's lesson provided valuable insights into craft, with time to discuss, question, share.”

    — Kathy Tighe

  • “If there's one thing I've loved about Mentorship so far, it's the space Katey gives to us to feel comfortable being where we are, as well as the support and tools we need to keep pushing forward. It's honestly a gift to have someone like that in your corner! This is just what I needed as I was resetting my goals for the next year.”

    — Colin Bennett

  • “Katey’s firm, yet gentle push, has propelled me towards strengthening my inner editor, nurturing my writing-self, and prioritizing my writing. Her passion, commitment and model of inclusion provide a safe and supportive environment for writers to grow and hone their skills. She skillfully builds writing communities that support diversity and provide exposure to an abundance of writing professionals and literary creatives.”

    — Lucille Freeman, Right to Write Award recipient 2021-2022

  • Monthly Mentorship is for those dedicated to the writing life and seeking a fresh, intuitive approach to stalled projects or the completion of a manuscript. If you don’t have a current project or amassed pages, but can demonstrate passion, skill, and enthusiasm, there’s space for you too.

    Whether you’re working on a short story collection, a memoir, or a novel, Monthly Mentorship will take you through a deeply engaging curriculum and put you in regular contact with a team of teachers who are committed to helping you become a better writer. The entire team–especially your assigned faculty mentor–will dedicate eight months to teaching you how to deepen your self-reliance as a writer and realize what your drafts are really trying to say.

  • We happen to be alive at a time when, every day, we are expected to do more than we can possibly accomplish. In addition, there are writers among us who–because of their identities–live their entire lives feeling overburdened and unsafe due to systemic injustice. Those of us whose lives are less directly affected by these attacks are still drowning in unreasonable expectations, marginalizations, and upsetting cultural norms. So much of what is asked of us is unhealthy, and frankly, impossible.

    This feeling can lead us to question what is really important. It can even make us ask: Does writing even matter? It can make us wonder if our own creative needs deserve to be prioritized.

    But the answer is YES. Creativity is essential to the survival of humanity. Without nurturing our imaginations, how can we expand our empathy or envision the future? If who we are on the inside does not match how the world sees us on the outside, we lack a sense of inner coherence. For a writer, the act of writing is a fundamental human necessity. To ignore this need is to live our lives less fully, making us less available as citizens of the world.

  • Many writers spend too many years in mid-level workshops or attending conferences that bring them close to literary stars, but no closer to reaching their own goals. These same writers often take copious notes, receive mountains of suggestions, and feel charged with new ideas … only to return to their desks confused by conflicting feedback, or at a loss for how to get “back into” their current project. Has unhelpful editorial feedback made you lose sight of your goals and diminished your passion?

    Leap off this hamster wheel and join a community of curious, dedicated writers determined to nurture their own writing practice and stop depending upon the opinions of others. There is so much that a writer can do with their own knowledge, skill, and intuition, before paying for line-level feedback, seeking beta readers, or attending pitch workshops. This program offers effective guidance to help writers become their own best editors and decision-makers, not just for their current project, but for the duration of their writing lives.

    Parts of our curriculum are set, and other parts are open-ended and customized to meet the needs of each writer. Once accepted, you can count on immersing deeply in these topics:

    • Revising for concision, impact, and selection

    • Clarifying the structural components of prose (ex. flashback, backstory, scene)

    • Articulating your creative process so you can see where you make unproductive decisions

    • Receiving direction toward habits that will help you complete drafts more efficiently and effectively

    • Tools and considerations for writing across race and other identities

    • Pacing, beats, progression, and plot

    • And much, much more!

  • Please download this FAQ PDF for additional information about Monthly Mentorship.

  • “Katey’s comments and letter were so on target, can I keep Katey in my corner for life? I’m so delirious, so please forgive me, but Katey is an effing remarkable coach.”

    — Bruce L. Makie

  • “I can’t stress enough the crucial difference between Monthly Mentorship versus traditional writing workshops. My confidence in understanding what my writing needs and the next steps to take soared during Monthly Mentorship. As a parent and multi-genre writer who also manages work responsibilities, Monthly Mentorship is a lifesaver with baked-in systems and community to help me center my writing.”

    — Liz Femi, Right to Write Award recipient 2022-2023

  • “With Katey’s Monthly Mentorship instruction, I am learning how to nurture my creative self while also gaining a more complete understanding of craft techniques that I may have used instinctively (or not used at all!), but never put thought into the ‘why.’ I have more respect for, and insight into, my own process as a writer. I'm so thankful to be a part of this community.”

    — Libby Horton

  • “Katey helped me understand my writing process, and the discoveries I've made in revision are thrilling. I am grateful for her attention, philosophy, and gentle accountability throughout the Monthly Mentorship curriculum. She has allowed me a quantum leap in writing.”

    — Kelly Rothe

  • “It is so powerful to be supported and have content from Monthly Mentorship that deepens my understanding of how writing really integrates into consciousness.”

    — Cristine Milton

  • “Amazing! Monthly Mentorship has given me insight into the writing process, showing me that 'productivity' and 'output' are not the best gauges for writing progress.”

    — Jaime Greenberg

Monthly Mentorship is an eight-month program. Cohorts of about 10 writers work directly with Katey and a Guest Faculty–students are uniquely assigned to a section that suits their development, learning style, and current goals. 

Opportunities for one-on-one email, phone, Zoom, and/or text support, as well as opportunities to share excerpts of your writing, are clearly explained and interspersed throughout the eight-month journey. This celebrated program uses programs like Zoom and Thinkific to provide the following experiences each month:

  • The first week of each month, you will receive an Integrative Assignment that helps you apply thinking to language and bring shape and energy to your writing. Through these assignments, you will learn how to get more out of your drafts and generate or revise with more confidence, clarity, and skill. Identify your own approach to your drafts using Katey’s unique methodology as a springboard. Integration Assignments will be the bulk of your work for this program, in addition to your own writing time. Plan on 3-5 hours a month devoted to these assignments, their application, and solidification.

    Each Integration Assignment includes:

    • Instruction sheet with reflective exercises, reading list (all texts provided), and prompts.

    • Craft lecture video that directly addresses that month’s key craft concepts.

    • PDF versions of all required texts, plus occasional bonus links, handouts, or other resources.

  • Office Hours (45-90 minutes) are an opportunity to gather with your cohort via Zoom. Ask a line-level editing question, a big-picture publishing question, reflect on creative blocks or craft challenges, get clarification, dig deep into the Integration Assignment texts, and more. Office Hours include opportunities to share your screen or read from an excerpted work-in-progress to explain a specific problem, seek answers, or reference existing models.

    Note: Every Office Hours session will be recorded, in case you have a schedule conflict. These recordings are yours to access forever.

  • Join Katey for productive, fun Livewriting accountability sessions. There are three 75-minute sessions throughout the week. Once you enter via Zoom, the group will check in very briefly, then write together in silent support. Naturally, teachable moments and resource sharing occurs during our brief check-ins and check-outs, even though the bulk of our time is spent simply writing. You’ll be blown away by the energy that Livewriting brings to your creative practice. This experience is both casual and profoundly effective, providing a truly humanizing, day-to-day picture of the ebbs and flows of the real writing life.

  • Gather for a two-hour Master Class with your cohort via Zoom to share key insights or quandaries related to that month’s Integration Assignment, including a Bonus PDF created especially for your cohort each month that is based entirely on your current, real-time writing needs. Work through guided questions with your assigned partner, discuss sample texts or writing by your peers, go deeper into that month’s craft focus as your faculty expands on lessons, and find out together how to tackle some of the biggest hurdles writers face today.

    Note: Every Master Class session will be recorded, in case you have a schedule conflict. These recordings are yours to access forever.

  • • Literary Picnics: These casual, surprisingly social gatherings on Zoom have proven to be a highlight of the program! You have to experience it to get it, but each picnic typically includes an opening freewrite or breakout rooms that foster connection. The main feature of this event changes depending on the needs and interests of that year’s Monthly Mentorship writers, but it almost always involves the opportunity to meet esteemed Guest Presenters and bestselling authors that Katey hires to “visit” our community and answer your questions. It’s exciting and always memorable!

    • Email or quick-call access: Email Katey or any faculty member on the team, at any time, with a quick question, insight, concern, or request for more information. Prefer phone? Request a quick chat, and talk, writer-to-writer, on the fly. While many writers have been taught to go it alone or not bother their teachers or peers, Monthly Mentorship engenders a spirit of sharing, communication, and authenticity that encourages checking in on a regular basis. Your faculty will never be too busy. We prioritize your path as a writer for eight months, and are very happy to talk shop and provide support. Leave guilt and head trips at the door, and contact your teacher in real time to get the support you need as you gain more and more endurance and discernment in your writing life.

embark on eight months of curated, life-changing support for

$4150

$500 deposit is due upon acceptance. Balance due October 1 of each cycle year. Payment plans are available and divided evenly across 10 months (September-June).

BIPOC and Veteran writers, please click here to learn about the Right to Write Awards, a generous financial grant for participation in this program.

Additionally, any writer who holds a marginalized identity, is on a fixed income, is the sole provider for dependents, or is experiencing financial hardship is encouraged to inquire about our no-penalty payment plan option and need-based scholarships.

Take the leap.

Integrate writing into your life with editorial confidence, mastery of craft, and lasting joy.

Apply for Monthly Mentorship today.