Now Bigger! Better! More Naked!
Now Bigger! Better! More Naked!
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.
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, lots of notes from freewriting sessions, 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 Geraldine DeRuiter and Edgar Gomez, and editors such as HuffPo Personal’s Noah Michelson and The Rumpus’ Taylor Byas.
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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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Faith Adiele
Essayist and Author
Thailand's first Black Buddhist nun and author of the memoir about it —Meeting Faith. A columnist for The Miami Herald, travel writer, and essayist. -
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. -
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. -
Dinty W. Moore
Memoirist
Author of the memoirs Between Panic & Desire and To Hell With It. He has been published in Harpers, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Creative Nonfiction, and more. -
Sara Runnels
Humorist and Essayist
A regular humor contributor to The New Yorker, her essays have been featured in Elle, Cosmopolitan, Betches, and REI. More than 130,000 follow her for words on dating and love. -
Rob Arnold
Essayist, Poet, and Arts Leader
Rob's work has appeared in Ploughshares, Hyphen, Gettysburg Review, and Solstice, among others. His work has also been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. -
Sari Botton
Bestselling author and Editor
Author of the memoir in essays, And You May Find Yourself. Recipient of a Best American Essays notable mention, she edited for Longreads for five years and now publishes Oldster Magazine. -
Theo Nestor
Essayist and Memoirist
Author of two memoirs, Theo has written about parenting, books, and relationships in the New York Times' Modern Love, The Rumpus, Creative Nonfiction, and The Seattle Times. -
Geraldine DeRuiter
Author, Public Speaker, and Blogger
Author of All Over the Place and If You Can’t Take the Heat, Geraldine is a renowned travel writer. Her blog, The Everywhereist, is critically acclaimed. In 2019, she earned a James Beard Award for journalism.
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Elissa Bassist
Editor of the “Funny Women” column in The Rumpus. She is the author of the memoir HYSTERICAL. Elissa has been published in LitHub, The LA Times, and McSweeney’s.
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Suzanne Richardson
Nonfiction editor for Harpur Palate
A Ph.D. student in creative writing at SUNY Binghamton, she is working on a memoir, Throw it Up. Her nonfiction has appeared in New Ohio Review, New Haven Review, and No Contact Magazine.
Hear it straight from the students.
Check out the experiences of those who have been through the class below.
NEW SESSION BEGINS NOVEMBER 13th!
Wednesdays from 5-8pm EST.
Two full hours of class and one hour of writing time to better support you and your work.
New this session: Need-based funding opportunities! One full scholarship and a partial work-study are available.
Payment plan available: 12 payments of $109.
Session Dates:
All classes are held on Wednesdays from 5 - 8pm EST (2 - 5pm PST), unless otherwise noted.
November 2024
Nov 13: Class 1
Nov 20: Class 2
Nov 25 (Monday): Optional work/study
December 2024
Dec 4: Class 3
Dec 11: Class 4
Dec 18: Class 5
January 2025
Jan 1: Optional Goals and Co-Writing Session
Jan 8: Class 6
Jan 15: Class 7
Jan 22: Class 8
Jan 29: Class 9
February 2025
Feb 5: Class 10
Feb 12: Class 11
Feb 19: Class 12
Feb 26: Reserve date (in case of a skipped week)
Sign up here!
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.
Same great 12-week intensive, divided into 12 weekly payments of $109.
Please note that by purchasing this item, you are agreeing to pay 11 additional weeks of $109.00 starting on November 18, 2024.
✺ 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.