I’ve been running creative writing workshops for over 15 years on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean—first in institutions like the University of Victoria, Brandon University, and the University of East Anglia, then in community ventures like the London Short Story Festival and the Quebec Writers Federation. Nowadays, I run them myself, through NarrativeWorks. Before all this teaching, I too sat in workshops, on the other side of the table, learning all I could from writers and teachers who gave more to me and my peers than they had good reason to. That’s the kind of gift that can only ever be paid forward. Thus.

These workshops are simple: small MFA-style groups (eight writers max), thoughtful feedback, and serious attention to your work and the work of your peers. We meet once a week for nine weeks (with a break at week 5), and every session is devoted to two stories. Everyone submits twice, but everyone reads, in depth, 14 stories from writers of similar energy and drive. That’s where the real improvement happens, in learning to read fiction deeply and with intent.

My teaching philosophy is “High Rigour, Low Stakes.” The writing matters—we treat it that way—but this is about building a practice, trying things, sharpening your voice (whatever that is), and finding a writing process that works for you. You don’t have to get it “right.” In fact, maybe you shouldn’t. Maybe there is no right. A good workshop will help you improve the story on the page, yes, but a great workshop will change how you write the next one.

Alongside the workshops, I also offer manuscript consultations and one-on-one mentoring. Past students have gone on to publish novels, win awards such as the Journey Prize, and land funded university spots in Canada and internationally—but more importantly, they’ve found their way into a sustainable creative life.