Penpals
Mentorship in letter form, from me to you.
The goal: to answer the questions you most often ask about writing and publishing — normalising, myth‑busting, and reframing dominant industry narratives.
The outcome: you gain access to an archive of mentorship you can return to again and again — one that resets expectations and normalises both the inner and outer experiences of writing a book and pursuing publication.
When I was a kid, I had penpals — friends I wrote to, sharing thoughts, questions, stories, and experiences. Writing letters was the only way to stay in touch.
The joy of finding the latest correspondence in the letterbox is the feeling that inspired Penpals to be more than just another newsletter.
Writers deserve advice that rejects gatekeeping and performance. Penpals answers your questions with insight grounded in lived experience, industry knowledge, and truth.
I understand the emotional, creative, and industry realities of being a writer — I’ve walked the path from both sides and can guide you where you want to go.
Penpals is an ongoing relationship between me and you.
It’s mentorship in letter form.
Why Penpals matters
Humans have a long history of pouring ourselves onto paper. Since the first writing implement was invented, letters have kept friends, lovers, strangers, and families connected to our thoughts, beliefs, and experiences.
We live in a world with more methods of communication than ever before, and yet we’re also more disconnected. Technology has changed how we communicate — short, quick, and not always meaning-making or relationship-building.
Penpals is the antidote.
It connects like‑hearted people through our love of the craft, builds community, and normalises both the inner and outer experiences of writing a book and pursuing publication.
Not every writer has access to writing or publishing knowledge, or even other writers — and there is so much we want or need to know. It can be hard to find real answers when there misinformation about.
I want you to ask me any writing or publishing question on your mind.
It might feel awkward at first, sharing the parts that make being a writer feel so vulnerable — it’s often easier to write down what we’re scared or embarrassed to ask aloud.
There are no silly questions.
-
new or alternate ways of thinking about craft and publishing
support to nurture creative resilience and stay connected to the work
language for the doubts, hopes, confusion, ambition, fear, perfectionism, and joy we all feel
mentorship that honours both the writer and the human behind the work
shared humanity that dissolves shame and nurtures common ground
a writing life that feels less lonely
myth‑busting inherited beliefs and dominant narratives
opportunities for community and connection
-
All writers, at any stage of the writing or publishing journey who want:
relational guidance
emotional support alongside practical insight
answers to the questions they’re afraid to ask publicly or can’t find among the noise
clarity about the writing life and the publishing path
a place to feel understood
a place to belong
-
normalising, myth‑busting, and guiding
courage and creative resilience
understanding the industry
navigating doubt, fear, perfectionism, and visibility
staying connected to your writing life and community
reconnecting with your voice, your vision, and your direction
-
Subscribe to the Weekly or Monthly letters.
Questions can be submitted via the link included in each letter and on the Penpals homepage (once you are signed in).
Each week, I select one of your questions and write a letter in response.
Weekly letter
A weekly letter that normalises all experiences of the writing life and offers a steady and responsive presence in your writing life.
It’s a conversation, a relationship, and a reminder that you don’t have to navigate it alone. Together, we explore writing practice, nurture creative resilience, and reset expectations around the publishing path.
Tell me what you need, and I’ll meet you there.
What’s included
weekly letters that answer your questions
full archive access
first access to mentorship opportunities and other exciting things as they unfold.
Important
No letters are sent in January
Monthly letter
A letter delivered on the last day of the month, sharing an overview of the questions answered that month, along with updates, offers, book reviews, industry insights, and other tidbits to help keep you connected to your writing practice and publishing journey.
What’s included
one monthly letter