Posing Naked on the Page
Find the courage to reveal your stories.
If you're ready to sculpt your life’s stories into powerful art, but you can’t seem to find the courage or your voice, you're in the right place.
In this weekly three-month class, we’ll learn, work, and listen together in an intimate group to master not only the words on the page, but the inner work that the personal essay requires.
In an age of increasing disconnection and digital noise, authentic personal stories stand out. They create moments of genuine human connection, reminding us of our shared experiences.
When we share our truths:
We find our own voice and clarity
We help others feel seen and understood
We transform the individual into the universal
You’ll learn from expert guest speakers, with writers and editors for publications such as HuffPo Personal and Electric Lit.
You’ll leave with a polished essay ready to submit and a newfound courage to tell your story.
Let's dive in together, with all our hearts.
What Makes Posing Naked on the Page A Game-Changer?
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A Guide Who’s Been There
Dive into the world of the personal essays with a writer with two different million-reader viral essays at top-tier publications such as Elle, Yoga Journal, and Marie Claire.
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Star Guests
Hear from fantastically talented essay writers, including Michelle Fiordaliso and Edgar Gomez, and editors such as HuffPo Personal’s Noah Michelson.
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Personalized Feedback
Hone your work with edits from your peers as well as the class leader. Improve your editing skills by workshopping the writing of your peers.
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Intimate Class Size
Only 20 seats available. This means more attention, more feedback, and deeper connections. Everyone in the class will come to know your work, and you will know theirs.
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Community & Connection
Join a community of writers eager to support, challenge, and inspire each other, with relationships that will last far beyond the classroom.
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Inner Work
Tackle the courage to be seen, the fear of writing about others, and the shame that keeps you from embracing visibility. This is where your voice will find its power.
Topics Covered:
Understanding the essence of vulnerability in storytelling
The craft of personal essays
Understanding your perspective
Structure and arc
The power of specificity
The research of Brené Brown
What do you owe others?
Getting your work out in the world
The why of the personal essay
What personal essays have to give
Picking what to write about
Developing a unique writing voice
Description, dialogue, and scene
Balancing detail with universality
Integrating reflection to provide depth and insight
The Mortifying Ordeal of Being Known
Getting your work out in the world
Exploring avenues for publication
Your Guide
Paulette Perhach
Author of two essays that have gone viral to more than two million readers each.
BlogHer Voices of the Year award winner.
Anthologized along with work by Roxane Gay, Ashley C. Ford, Mindy Kaling, and Audre Lorde.
Nominated for Best of the Net.
Included in round-ups from Memoir Monday.
Contributor to a 2021 Washington State Book Award-winning anthology.
Coach to 100+ writers.
Paulette’s essays have appeared in:
Guest Speakers
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Edgar Gomez
Essayist and Author
Author of the memoir High-Risk Homosexual, which received a 2023 American Book Award. His work has been in The LA Times,Poets & Writers, Lithub, New York Magazine, and more. -
Rachel Sklar
Writer and Editor
A founding editor of the Huffington Post, she has contributed to numerous publications including the New York Times, The Cut, Washington Post, CNN.com, The Daily Beast, Elle, Politico, Mashable, and Glamour. -
Steve Almond
Essayist and Author
Author of 12 books, including the New York Times bestsellers Candyfreak and Against Football. For four years, Steve hosted the New York Times Dear Sugars podcast with Cheryl Strayed. -
Noah Michelson
Editor
Head of HuffPost Personal and host of the podcast Am I Doing It Wrong? P's note: he's also just one of the kindest people you'll meet in publishing and writing world. -
Denne Michele Norris
Denne Michele Norris is the editor-in-chief of Electric Literature, winner of the 2022 Whiting Literary Magazine Prize. She is the first Black, openly trans woman to helm a major literary publication. A 2021 Out100 Honoree, her writing has been supported by MacDowell and Tin House.
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Negin Farsad
Memoirist and Comedian
Author of How To Make White People Laugh, a memoir-meets-social-justice-comedy manifesto which was nominated for the Thurber Prize for Humor and recommended by Oprah Magazine. -
Sara Runnels
Essayist and Humorist
Ruling social media under the handle OMGSKR, Sara has 100k followers loving her witty tweets and her heartfelt essays. -
Jane Wong
Memoirist and Poet
Jane Wong is the author of the debut memoir, Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City, out from Tin House. Her essays have appeared in places such as McSweeney's, Black Warrior Review, and Want: Women Writing About Desire -
Faith Adiele
Author of Meeting Faith, which won a PEN memoir award, PBS documentary My Journey Home, and 4 chapbooks about being Nigerian | Nordic | American. She hosts African Book Club and has written for HBO, Calm, OkayAfrica, Oprah Magazine, Essence, Smithsonian, Hyperallergic, Detour and Miami Herald.
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Emma Pattee
Journalist, Essayist, and Novelist
Emma Pattee coined the phrase “climate shadow,” showing how personal essay can shift culture. After the release of her acclaimed novel, Tilt, Vogue called her a “powerful new literary voice.” -
Don George
Travel Essayist and Editor
Legendary travel writer and editor, Don authored The Way of Wanderlust and How to Be a Travel Writer, edited 12 acclaimed anthologies, and held editorial roles at National Geographic Traveler, Lonely Planet, and Salon.com. -
Nicole Graev Lipson
Author of the memoir-in-essays Mothers and Other Fictional Character, her writing has been awarded a Pushcart Prize, selected for The Best American Essays anthology, and shortlisted for a National Magazine Award. Her work has appeared in The Sun, Creative Nonfiction, River Teeth, and LA Review of Books, among other publications.
More to be announced soon!
Hear it straight from the students.
Check out the experiences of those who have been through the class below.
From the anonymous class exit survey:
“Paulette’s razor sharp observations about craft and on all individual writings were extremely valuable.”
“Paulette is a badass! She did an amazing job and I appreciate how she didn’t waste a minute of our time. Each session was planned and organized to maximize our learning.”
“I felt so inspired and aligned in this workshop. The community, structure and content as a whole, including Paulette’s leadership, was more than I had hoped for.”
“The class was MIND-EXPANDING for me and I am grateful to have taken it. Paulette’s lectures were excellent and eye-opening.”
“It allowed for more play and vulnerability on the page and to not stress about where this particular story is going to go. I was able to feel more vulnerable on and off the page!”
Posing Naked on the Page
(A Poem Written on the Last Day of Class)
by Jasmine Vallejo-Love
A class steeped in vulnerability,
teasing out our hidden truths.
Every color, socio-economic status,
religious or spiritual belief.
Every shape, size, hair type.
All the diversity of what it is to be a woman
sits before me. I am awed by its power,
by the strength imbued in each of us,
the resounding roar of this collective.
Let us share our stories loudly,
proudly and with abandon.
Let our voices expand and explode minds,
may our words reach inside of human hearts
and turn them inside out.
NEW SESSION BEGINS APRIL 24TH!
Thursdays from 12-2pm EST.
First six weeks will be focused on education and the second six weeks will be workshopping.
Need-based funding opportunities! One full scholarship and a partial work-study are available.
Payment plan available: 12 payments of $109.50.
Session Dates:
All classes are held on Thursdays from 12 - 2pm EST (9 - 11am PST), unless otherwise noted.
Apr 24: Class 1: Why We Risk Exposure: Vulnerability as Connection
May 1: Class 2: Finding Your Authentic Voice
May 8: Class 3: Crafting Vulnerable Narratives
May 15: Class 4: The Intimate Details: Setting and Specificity
May 22: Class 5: Writing About Others
May 29: Class 6: Sharing Your Vulnerable Work
Workshop begins:
June 5: Class 7
June 12: Class 8
June 19: Class 9
June 26: Class 10
July 3: Class 11
July 10: Class 12
July 17: Reserve date (in case of a skipped week)
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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Anyone ready to dive deep into the art of personal essay writing. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your craft, if you're eager to explore your experiences and emotions through writing, this class is for you.
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Three things: our intimate class size ensures personalized attention; the blend of expert guidance and guest speaker insights offers unparalleled learning; and our focus on the inner work necessary for authentic storytelling sets us apart.
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To ensure everyone gets the attention and space they need, we limit each class to just 20 students. This fosters a closer, more supportive learning environment.
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No problem! "Posing Naked on the Page" is designed to guide writers at various stages. The only requirement is a willingness to explore your story and the courage to share it.
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You'll leave with a fully fleshed out and edited personal essay, ready for submission. Plus, you'll gain a solid foundation in the craft of writing and a community of fellow writers.
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If you're drawn to the idea of telling your story, willing to face yourself on the page, and curious about the craft of writing, you're ready. This class is about growth, courage, and finding your voice.
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Nope, just a passion for writing and an open heart. Whether you're polishing your skills or uncovering your voice, you'll find your place here.
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Absolutely. Feedback is a cornerstone of this class. You'll receive personalized critiques to help refine your writing, and workshop sessions will offer constructive feedback from peers and instructors alike.
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We understand life happens. While attendance is important for the full experience, sessions will be recorded for you to catch up on what you missed.
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Visit our website and click on "Enroll Now." Secure your spot with a deposit, and we'll guide you through the next steps to get you ready for an incredible writing journey.
12-week intensive masterclass led by Paulette Perhach. This masterclass is an unparalleled opportunity to work closely with industry insiders and uncover the power of vulnerability in your writing.
Limited to just 20 participants, this course offers personalized coaching, insights from guest essayists and editors, and a supportive community of fellow writers. By the end, you’ll emerge with a polished essay, newfound courage, and the skills to voice your deepest stories. Perfect for writers at any stage eager to transform personal experiences into powerful essays.
