Small Group Mentorship
A 6-week small group coaching experience to help you transform your true story into a compelling, publishable narrative. You’ll get feedback on 20 pages, weekly coaching and peer support, and mentorship every step of the way.
The Details
6 Weeks | Live & Recorded
Limited to 10 writers
Choose your path:
Core Cohort – Live group coaching + margin comments from Katie on 20 pages
Core + 1:1 – Includes everything in the Core Cohort + a one-hour private coaching session & feedback letter
Who this is for
This is a personalized, intimate coaching space for nonfiction writers who want to make meaningful progress on their book or essays. It’s designed for writers seeking in-depth, high-touch mentorship—without the high cost of 1:1 coaching. Whether you’re just starting out or have a full draft, you’ll receive expert support on what your story needs most—plus the accountability and momentum to keep going.
Ideal for writers who want:
Professional editorial feedback
A trusted coach and mentor
Community and structure in a small group setting
What you’ll get in the Core Cohort
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Live Weekly Coaching (6 sessions, 2 hours each)
Workshop pages, discuss revision strategy, and tackle craft challenges in real time. Coaching sessions will also be recorded if you need to miss any live.
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Tailored Craft Lessons
Each week, receive focused craft lessons & practical tips personalized to your needs. Sample topics include honing your structure, writing about family, finding your opening, and pitching agents & editors.
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Feedback on Your Work in Progress (up to 20 pages)
Get live feedback & written comments from Katie on up to 20 double-spaced pages of your work in progress.
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Peer Feedback Without Pressure
Share work with a serious, supportive cohort. No required written critiques—learn through discussion and example.
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Ongoing Support & Accountability
Stay motivated between sessions with guidance, resources, and encouragement from Katie throughout.
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Private Online Community
Access a private discussion space to connect, ask questions, and share wins.
Want extra support?
Choose Core + 1:1
You’ll get everything in the Core Cohort, plus:
✚ A 1-hour private coaching call with Katie to discuss revision strategies, publication paths, and a plan for finishing your project(s).
✚ A “Revision Roadmap” letter addressing big-picture craft elements in your 20 pages — story structure, character development, thematic threads, voice consistency, and narrative flow — and a step-by-step revision plan tailored to your project(s).
Join the cohort
Core Cohort
You’ll get group coaching & workshop feedback on 20 pages, including margin comments from Katie.
Core + 1:1
You’ll receive everything in the Core Cohort, plus added 1:1 support & a “Revision Roadmap” letter from Katie.
Meet Your Coach
Katie Bannon is a writer, editor, and coach with a passion for helping others tell their truest stories. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Rumpus, ELLE, Newsweek, and beyond. She holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Emerson College, and her memoir manuscript was named a finalist for the Permafrost Nonfiction Book Prize.
Katie brings deep editorial experience, a warm and supportive teaching style, and a firm belief in the transformative power of personal narrative. She lives in Central Massachusetts with her husband and two very opinionated cats.
Kind words from students…
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“Katie is, in every way, an excellent writing instructor. She guides her students with a unique blend of precision and compassion. Katie gives direct and targeted feedback, while also treating each piece as a unique story that deserves care and understanding. When I worked with Katie using this process, she helped me craft one of the chapters that led to my publishing deal!"."
Kevin Hershey, Author of This Is My Body (forthcoming from Greystone Books)
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“I'm so grateful that whenever I take Katie’s classes, it helps me remember the fun process of writing and the purpose of why I write. It's priceless.”
Sana Fayyaz
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"I’ve had a rough time these last ten years – lots of trauma resurfacing and not knowing how to process it. It’s because of Katie that I was inspired to put pen to page and face the pain. Katie's classes changed the way I write. I've seen such improvement over the last couple of years and I let everyone know that.”
Jen Shepherd
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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No problem! All sessions will be recorded and shared with the group the next day, so you can easily catch up. Many participants choose to watch replays if their schedule doesn’t allow them to attend live. You’ll have access to the recordings for 120 days after the cohort ends.
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No formal written critiques are required. Instead, we’ll use live discussion and guided conversation to share insights and strengthen editorial instincts. You’ll get the benefit of reading peer submissions without the time burden of written feedback—so you can focus on your own process while learning from others.
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Not at all. Writers at any stage of the writing process are welcome—whether you have a few scenes, a messy draft, or a nearly finished manuscript or essay(s). This cohort is designed to meet you where you are and support your next big leap forward.
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Yes! This is a welcoming, encouraging environment for writers of all experience levels. Whether this is your first time sharing work or your fifth manuscript, you’ll receive professional-level feedback in a supportive space that respects your voice and vision.
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When you register for the cohort, you’ll fill out a detailed intake form about your memoir project, your goals, and the challenges you’re facing. I’ll use these responses to shape the weekly craft lessons and discussion topics, so the content is directly relevant to everyone’s needs.
Starting the third week, the last half of each session will be dedicated to discussing workshop submissions & shared craft challenges that emerge from those.
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Space is intentionally limited to just 10 writers to keep the group small, focused, and supportive. This allows everyone to receive meaningful attention, personalized feedback, and a true sense of community throughout the cohort.
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Aside from the 2-hour weekly live sessions, you’ll spend time writing or revising your own work at your own pace. For four of the six weeks, you’ll be reading peer submissions—up to 40 double-spaced pages a week, though it’s often much less. There’s no additional homework or prep required.
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In the Core Cohort, you’ll receive thoughtful oral feedback on up to 20 pages of your writing—shared during our live sessions. You’ll also get margin comments from Katie on what’s working & not working.
Core + 1:1 gets you everything in Core plus a dedicated one-hour private session with Katie and a “Revision Roadmap” letter. This letter supplements margin comments with big-picture craft analysis—story structure, character development, thematic threads, voice consistency, and narrative flow—plus a step-by-step revision roadmap.
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Great question. Unlike a standard class where you follow a set curriculum, group coaching offers personalized mentorship, editorial feedback, and tailored lessons based on your specific project and goals. There’s a strong focus on helping you make tangible progress on your own project(s), not just learning general craft concepts.
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All you need is a computer and an internet connection. I’ll send out a Zoom link before our first session. We’ll also review the basics of how to use Zoom at the beginning of the first class, so don’t worry if you’re not already familiar.
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Accessibility is important to me. You’ll have the opportunity to share any accessibility needs during the checkout process, and I’ll do everything I can to ensure a welcoming and inclusive experience for all participants.
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If you need to cancel, please note that no portion of the class fee is refundable within 10 days of the class start date. Refunds will be issued within 30 days of receiving your cancellation notice.
In the unlikely event the cohort is canceled (for example, due to low enrollment), you’ll receive a full refund.