The Writer's Intensive: From Craft to Career
The premier writing-and-Substack-strategy path from writing craft to career
Are you ready to be a professional writer?
You have talent as a writer, but you’re struggling to write at the level you know you’re capable of.
This is where you receive the guidance to
Have a career as a writer by elevating your craft
Grow on Substack and get the readers you know you could have
Produce writing worthy of the attention of agents and editors
Develop your voice
Connect with readers
Stop feeling like you can’t charge for your writing because it doesn’t feel “professional enough”
There’s a solution…
As an award-winning author (HarperCollins), New York Times contributor, and Northwestern University creative writing faculty member, I offer an intimate weekly mentorship designed to transform both your writing and your platform presence.
⇢ The Opportunity
Deep Craft Development:
Learn to write at a professional level from a HarperCollins author and New York Times contributor
Consistent Growth:
Weekly accountability and feedback ensures steady progress
Personalized Attention:
Intensive one-on-one guidance tailored to your voice and goals
Strategic Development:
Build your platform while honing your craft
⇢ Book your first meeting. At the end of our first session, we'll find a regular time to meet each week at your convenience.
⇢ What makes this different
Professional-level editing from a former advisory editor at The Paris Review
Strategic platform building from the leading Substack expert with proven client success
Academic-quality instruction from a Northwestern University writing professor
Publishing industry insights from a HarperCollins author
⇢ What My Clients Say:
“A little over a year after I started, I found my way to Sarah Fay. She taught me how to use Substack and how to improve my writing. She’s the best teacher I’ve had. Sarah helped me find my writing groove. I continue to work with Sarah because she continues to make me better.” —David Roberts
“Working with Sarah has been my secret weapon for my writing. And I had so much fun doing it. I walked away from every meeting knowing how I wanted to improve and excited to work. I feel more confident in my writing and I know how to continue improving as a writer. I can honestly say she sped up my learning curve by years.” —Latham Turner
“Her feedback was just the perfect combination of practical and validating. She never made me feel like an amateur and for that I am really grateful.” —Petya Grady
“Sarah is the best teacher I've had in a long time.” —Leon MacFayden
⇢ The Process
Weekly 45-minute Zoom sessions focused on your current work
Submit writing 24 hours before our meeting
Receive personalized professional editing and craft development
Develop your unique voice and platform-building approach
Get strategic Substack guidance
Maximum 1500 words per submission
⇢ The Investment
$9600 for six months of weekly guidance (24 sessions)
Limited spots available due to high demand and to ensure personalized treatment
This intimate mentorship is for serious writers ready to transform their craft and build their presence.
Whether you’re focused on Substack or working toward traditional publishing, you’ll receive the personalized guidance needed to elevate your work to professional standards.
Ready to become the writer you're meant to be?
⇢ About me:
I’m the leading Substack Growth Strategist
the creator of two bestselling, featured Substacks
the founder of Substack Writers at Work, a Top 3 bestselling Substack, globally
a mentor to thousands of Substack writers
an award-winning, bestselling author at HarperCollins
a freelance writer at The New York Times, The Atlantic, et al.
a literary scholar with an MFA, MA, PhD
on the faculty at Northwestern University
one-time advisory editor at The Paris Review
Substack bestseller with 29,000+ active Substack subscribers
the go-to Substack expert
My debut memoir Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses (HarperCollins) was an Apple Best Books pick and hailed in The New York Times as a “fiery manifesto of a memoir.” I write for many publications, including Oprah Daily, The New York Times, The New Republic, The Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Time Magazine, and The Paris Review, where I was an advisory editor. I’m the recipient of the Hopwood Award for Literature and grants and fellowships from Yaddo, the Mellon Foundation, and the MacDowell Colony, among others.
I live in Chicago with my two beloved cats, Mr. Sweets and Baby Theo. More than anything, I want a t-shirt that says, Ask me about my cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the intensive include?
Weekly 45-minute Zoom sessions provide personalized guidance for both your writing craft and Substack strategy. You'll submit up to 1,500 words 24 hours before each meeting for professional editing and feedback. The program combines craft development, platform building, and strategic guidance tailored to your goals.
Who is this mentorship for?
This program serves writers who are serious about elevating their craft to professional standards, whether they're focused on Substack growth or traditional publishing. It's designed for those ready to commit to consistent improvement through regular feedback and guidance.
What are your qualifications?
I bring multiple perspectives as a HarperCollins author, New York Times contributor, and Northwestern University faculty member. I've created two bestselling Substacks and founded Substack Writers at Work, a globally top-3 newsletter. My work appears in major publications including The Atlantic, Time Magazine, and The Paris Review, where I served as an advisory editor.
What if I’m just starting out on Substack?
If you’re brand new, I suggest taking my 5-week Substack for Beginners live class.
How do you tailor the mentorship to individual needs?
Our first session includes a thorough assessment of your goals, current writing style, and platform objectives. We'll create a customized development plan that evolves as you progress. Each weekly session addresses your specific challenges and opportunities.
What types of writing can I submit for feedback?
You can submit any type of writing within the 1,500-word limit, including:
Substack posts and newsletters
Memoir excerpts
Essays and articles
Book proposals
Marketing copy for your writing platform
What is the time commitment?
The program runs for six months, consisting of 24 weekly sessions. You'll need time to:
Attend weekly 45-minute Zoom sessions
Write and revise your submissions (up to 1,500 words per week)
Submit work 24 hours before each session
Implement feedback and suggestions between sessions
Can we focus on both craft and platform growth simultaneously?
Yes, the mentorship integrates both elements. We'll work on strengthening your writing while developing strategies for audience growth, engagement, and monetization. This dual focus helps ensure your improved craft translates into platform success.
What happens between sessions?
Between our weekly meetings, you’ll:
Implement suggested revisions and post your final draft
Generate your next post
Apply platform-building strategies
Track metrics and engagement
Prepare questions for our next session
What kind of access do I have between sessions?
The mentorship focuses on our weekly sessions. While I aim to be supportive, I provide limited email coaching between sessions. Questions needing short responses are welcome. Please save lengthier questions and concerns or requests for feedback for our dedicated meeting time, where I can give them my full attention. This structure helps maintain the program's high quality and ensures equal attention for all clients.
How is payment structured?
The full investment of $9,600 is due at the start of the six-month program. This covers all 24 sessions of personalized mentorship.
What results have your clients achieved?
Clients have achieved significant recognition and success, including:
Extensive media attention and features in major publications
Interest from literary agents
Substantial Substack subscriber growth
Development of successful books and proposals
Professional writing opportunities
Beyond metrics, clients consistently report dramatic improvement in their craft and confidence as writers.
How do you help with monetization strategies?
We’ll explore various revenue streams including:
Paid newsletter tiers
Digital products and courses
Writing services
Speaking engagements
Book proposals
We’ll develop a monetization strategy that aligns with your goals and audience.
What metrics do you track for Substack growth?
We monitor key performance indicators including:
Subscriber growth rate
Engagement metrics
Views
Conversion rates
Revenue trends
These metrics inform our strategic decisions and help measure progress.
How do I get started?
Begin with an initial 10-minute consultation where we’ll discuss your goals and find a regular weekly meeting time that works for you. Due to the program's intensive nature, spots are limited to ensure personalized attention for each writer.
What if I need to miss a session?
Please discuss any scheduling concerns during our initial consultation. We can address specific situations while maintaining the program's momentum and effectiveness.
Do you offer refunds?
All fees are non-refundable. This policy helps maintain the program's selective nature and ensures commitment from participating writers.
What materials do I need?
You’ll need:
Reliable internet connection for Zoom sessions
Word processing software for writing submissions
Access to Google docs
How does the feedback process work?
Submit your writing 24 hours before our scheduled session. I'll review your work and provide detailed feedback during our meeting, addressing both craft elements and strategic considerations for your platform growth. Note: This does not include line edits or proofreading.
What happens after the six-month program ends?
Many writers choose to continue with additional mentorship to maintain momentum and accountability. We can discuss extension options as we near the end of the initial program.
Legal Terms & Conditions
By engaging my services, you acknowledge and agree that all fees are non-refundable. Payment indicates your acceptance of these terms. While I strive to provide high-quality editorial guidance, I make no guarantees regarding publishing success, agent representation, or specific outcomes. Our work together constitutes professional feedback and coaching only.
I maintain all rights to my editorial insights and methodologies. Any suggestions or feedback I provide are offered as professional recommendations only. The client retains sole responsibility for their manuscript and any decisions regarding its development or submission.
These services are provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. I shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use of these services, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, and consequential damages.
All communications between us are confidential, but I reserve the right to disclose that we have worked together unless explicitly agreed otherwise in writing.