Rising Tides

A workshop for folks who have started something big, and want to keep going.

Do you have a project that you’re longing to lavish with attention? Do you dream of writing more — more often, more deeply, and with more focus?

This class is designed for writers with projects on the go, who are looking a pack of allies to work towards a deadline with. Maybe you’re halfway through a manuscript and can’t seem to get back to it. Maybe it’s finally time to start the big idea that you’ve been dreaming of for years. Or maybe you’re almost at the end of something huge, and you need some help to met that glorious finish line.

We won’t get bogged down by lessons or extensive self-reflection in this workshop — our focus in this workshop will be to move a piece of writing forward on our terms, and in our ways.

Here’s how it works:

We’ll meet for 8 sessions with our pens or keyboards at the ready. We’ll start by declaring our goals and ambitions — maybe 50 pages, 12 blog posts, 20 poems, or the whole damn thing. Each person’s progress is going to look different, but wherever you’re at, we’ll all map out a clear destination to work towards.

From there, sessions will be a mix of solo writing time and group workshops. You’ll have lots of opportunities to dig in and get work done, as well as share excerpts with the group for supportive and helpful feedback.

We hope that all our participants will share their work out into the world in some way by the time the class ends. That may mean sending it to a publisher, sharing it with a dear friend, reading at an open-mic night, or any other way. You’ll set this goal with the facilitator and this workshop will track your progress towards it.

This workshop is about progress, not perfection. We’ll be supporting each other to connect to our work, get out of our own way, and surprise ourselves with what is possible.

“A rising tide raises all boats”
— Proverb

    • Are ready to work hard. You’ll be expected to write lots in between classes, as well as do some homework before the first class.

    • Are looking for meaningful feedback and are ready to give it to others.

    • Are motivated by writing with others in a supportive, caring environment.

    • Thrive in small, cozy groups (never more than 8 participants)

    • Have a project on the go or on their minds, and are ready to hit the tarmac running.

    • Feel aligned with our fundamental beliefs.

    • Lots of new, completed work.

    • Helpful resources on plot, character development and point of view.

    • Writing peers whose work you are invested in.

    • A deeper sense of what is possible in your creative life.

    • That sweet, sweet feeling of completion.

    • Courage, momentum, and new ideas.

    • Have finished manuscripts that they are working to polish and publish.

    • Think that writing only thrives on harsh and critical feedback — we’re happy to answer any questions you have about your work but we don’t believe in harsh or unstructured critique.

    • Freeze up at the idea of big chunks of time to write — we won’t be walking you through how to write, we’ll be giving you the container to just do it.

    • Need a lot of instruction in order to put pen to paper.

Details:

Coming back Summer 2025! Registration opens on May 6th.

Join our early bird mailing list for early access to registration or sign up for our newsletter.

Cost:

The fee for this workshop is $595. If you prefer, you can pay in 4 monthly installments of $148.75. Tax will be added for Canadians in your local provincial rate. See our financial policies.

Four times a year, we give out bursaries for our programs to people with financial barriers. Check out our upcoming dates.

If you don’t have a credit card, let us know and we’ll gladly find a way to make it work.

Sign up here:

Join our early bird mailing list for early access to future registration or sign up for our newsletter.

What clients are saying…

  • Headshot of Shannon Litt

    I was amazed by how this class provided such ease and constant support. Making significant progress on a big personal project felt like a big task at the beginning of Rising Tides, but the leaser led us through expertly, and by the end I was amazed at how much progress we had all made. Her attention to detail, perceptive insights and knowledge of structure make this class a great choice for anyone who wants to work towards a deadline and make a ton of headway on their project. Definitely recommend!

    Shannon Litt
    Videographer, Writer

  • Headshot of Jennie Grado

    I left this workshop knowing not only where I was in the creative process, but that there IS a creative process! I signed up for this class knowing I wanted to keep moving toward my vision for my writing, but entirely unsure of what I needed next. Ailsa helped me see where I was, and also see that what I needed was much more gentle than I was being with myself. Her kindness was only surpassed by her ability to listen for my [writing] voice, even when I couldn’t hear it. From prompts to poems to setting a peaceful tone every time we gathered around the Firefly table, she was a wonderful guide through the next stage of my writing.

    Jennie Grado
    Writer, Mom, Engineer

  • Headshot of Lisa Stanton

    I left this workshop knowing not only where I was in the creative process, but that there IS a creative process! I signed up for this class knowing I wanted to keep moving toward my vision for my writing, but entirely unsure of what I needed next. Ailsa helped me see where I was, and also see that what I needed was much more gentle than I was being with myself. Her kindness was only surpassed by her ability to listen for my [writing] voice, even when I couldn’t hear it. From prompts to poems to setting a peaceful tone every time we gathered around the Firefly table, she was a wonderful guide through the next stage of my writing.

    Lisa Stanton
    Designer