
Your book won't write itself, but you don't have to write by yourself.
As a member of Ruth Buchanan's seven-week Tell Your Story writing workshop, you will enjoy help, guidance, accountability, and expert coaching within the context of creative community.
FIND YOUR VOICE
REFINE YOUR MESSAGE
CONTROL YOUR NARRATIVE
TELL YOUR STORY
2023 Workshop Dates
The Tell Your Story writing workshop will be offered four times during 2023.
January 17 - March 3 [Registration Closed]
March 28 - May 12 [Registration currently open!]
Upcoming sessions:
August 8 - September 22 [Registration opens June 19]
October 3 - November 17 [Registration opens August 21]
Registration for upcoming sessions will open 4-6 weeks before the session's start date. To get on the early-bird list and be informed the day registration opens for a particular session, contact [email protected].
Join Workshop Now!
No writer succeeds alone.
In fact, they don’t even try!
In God’s plan, we all need one another.
Writers lean on friends, family, editors, mentors, teachers, and fellow writers to keep themselves on track.
In our warm and welcoming writer's workshop, you will enjoy
- Help and inspiration
- Outside perspectives
- Courage to move forward
- Encouraging environment
- Safe space to present new work
- Professional development and guidance
- Discussion of publication pathways
- Personalized mentorship
- Stylistic growth
- Live Q&A’s

Heather Thompson Day
-Author of I'll See You Tomorrow
The publishing industry is hard. You will need to put your best foot forward, and I believe Ruth can help you do that.

Amy Sondova
-Tell Your Story workshop alum
Ruth Buchanan takes chances on people when she sees even a glimmer of talent. That’s what she did for me.
Workshop Acceptance Includes:
- 7 weeks of hands-on support, guidance, and accountability
- 4 live workshop sessions (via Google Meet)
- 3 self-directed modules
- 1 one-on-one coaching appointment
- professional feedback on book thesis, structure, and 2 completed chapters
- access to a welcoming community of fellow writers
- direct support on-demand
- manageable deadlines (with honest and constructive feedback!)
- early-bird enrollment in future workshops and courses
I know exactly how you feel.
I’m Ruth, creator of the TELL YOUR STORY workshop.
At one time, I was a full-time classroom teacher who liked to write on the side. I cherished a dream of publication but had no idea how to make my dream a reality.
My biggest hurdle was getting started.
I wasn’t sure how to complete a book, let alone take it to publication.
After spending thousands of dollars to attend conferences, take courses, and consult with experts, investing literally years of my life in alternating fits of frustration, flailing, and trial-and-error, I finally starting seeing reward for my efforts.
I’m the traditionally published author of nine books, four plays, countless articles, and more projects in the pipeline.
I Want That, Too!

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW:
March 28 - May 12, 2023
Week 1 – Live Workshop: Clarifying your message
- Tuesday, March 28, (7pm-9pmEST)
Week 2 – Finding your voice
- Self-directed module
- Submit chapter breakdowns and book overview, begin drafting Chapter 1
Week 3 – Live Workshop
- Tuesday, April 11, (7pm-9pmEST)
Week 4 – Streamlining your prose
- Self-directed module
- Submit Chapter 1
Week 5 – Live Workshop
- Tuesday, April 25, (7pm-9pmEST)
Week 6 – Pursuing publication pathways
- Self-directed module
- Submit Chapter 2
Week 7 – Live Workshop
- Tuesday, May 9, (7pm-9pmEST)
- Personalized feedback and individual coaching sessions scheduled on or before May 12.*
*Live sessions and individual coaching via Google Meet.
In my experience, here are a few fears that hold first-time authors back:
1. Fear of failure
2. Fear of commitment
3. Fear of vulnerability
If you’re feeling those things, let me reassure you.
You are totally normal! I still feel them every time I start a new project.
More than anything else, though, would-be authors tend to throw up their hands and say, “But I’m not really a writer!”
And guess what: you never will be until you start thinking of yourself as one.