Think better, write better
You have original thoughts. The world needs them. I’ll guide you toward uncovering your ideas and getting them clearly down on to the page.
High school and college students, let’s get started
Parents, you’re welcome on this call. Students should also be present :)
Essays and research papers
Thesis development and organization
Revision and editing strategies
Brainstorming and getting started
College/grad school application and scholarship essays
Support for multilingual and ESL writers
Academic writing across disciplines
Research integration and citations (MLA, APA, Chicago)
My approach
I use a Minimalist Tutoring Methodology, an evidence-based approach that emphasizes collaboration and skill-building. Rather than simply editing your paper, I guide you to become a stronger, more independent writer by developing strategies you can use long after our sessions end.
What to expect
Working with your current assignment
Bring whatever you’re currently working on so we have some material to discuss. First drafts are great! If you’re still in the brainstorming phase, bring your assignment or prompt and we’ll go from there.
Better writing, not perfect papers
At the start of each session we’ll identify the most high priority aspect of your writing to focus on, and use your material as a vehicle to build skills in this area. Your paper will definitely improve as a result—but more importantly, you’ll develop invaluable skills to apply to all future work.
Coaching, not editing
When it comes to your ideas, you’re the expert. Instead of nitpicking toward “perfection,” I’m here to guide you through the substantive work of connecting with these original ideas and establishing the focus and structure that allow you to communicate them coherently.
Hi, I’m Kelly—poet, copywriter, writing consultant, and reading group facilitator. Language is my medium, and writing has been the focus of my academic, professional, and creative life for the past 15 years.
About me
Highlights
MFA in Poetry, Saint Mary's College of California
BA in Creative Writing and Comparative Literature, Boston University
3x published poet
New collections are forthcoming with White Stag Publishing and Greying Ghost Press
University of San Francisco writing consultant
I spent four years and hundreds of hours helping undergraduate and graduate students alike develop confidence and independence as writers
Silicon Valley copywriter
I’ve spent the past six years proving the importance of a solid humanities skill set in generating authentic customer connections and driving conversion rates for companies
Reading group facilitator
I focus on taking a pleasurable, community-driven approach to challenging texts
Pricing and scheduling
50-minute sessions
Virtual and in-person options (Oakland or Berkeley public library)
1-2 sessions max per assignment
No consecutive-day sessions (independent work between sessions is key for integration)
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$85
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$320
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$600
What I believe
That collaboration is a necessary part of writing
All of my varied experience has left me firmly convinced that writing has an inherently collaborative dimension and writers at all stages benefit from sitting down to talk it out. Whether it’s as a consultant, in a workshop setting, or in a marketing meeting, this conversation is one of my main passions.
That writing is a process, and this process is learnable
Watch how fast the fear and frustration of that blank page gets banished once you've got a solid process in place. Knowing this process enhances critical thinking and academic success as well as creativity and overall wellbeing.
That clearer thinking leads to clearer writing
And yes—better grammar can come naturally, even if English is not your native language. I’ve found again and again that surface imperfections tend to clear up on their own once deeper issues around clarity and focus are addressed.
Client reviews
Kelly helped me work through ideas and structure for my personal statement for my graduate school applications. The feedback she provided was invaluable in that she was able to help me see my application from the perspective of a reviewer, and write in a way that would hook the reader and keep them interested while also maintaining an academically appropriate tone. I’m now two years into my program and still hear her voice guiding my writing. Thanks Kelly!
— Chi L., doctoral candidate, sustainable tourismKelly has been an incredible support for my writing practice and gave me the confidence to launch my online blog. She was able to help me better articulate my ideas and also provided really thoughtful structural suggestions that made my essays flow more seamlessly. Highly recommend working with Kelly on any of your writing needs or projects!
— Maria S., climate justice activistKelly helped me to see my writing in a whole new way. Without staying focused on my main thesis, I wasn’t really getting anywhere and kept repeating myself. After working through these issues a few times over the course of the semester with Kelly, I began to write papers that really felt like they had the potential to contribute something of value to my field.
— Ahmed M., nursing student