THE ARTIST'S WRITING COACH

FIND YOUR WORDS, SPEAK FOR YOUR ART
I can help you
- find a structure for a book you’ve been noodling around with for ages so you can make real progress.
- explore different ways to find and keep readers: traditional publishing is just one of them.
- build a reflective writing habit that sustains you creatively and deepens your art practice
- discover how you might use writing as part of a visual art practice.
- clarify and articulate your creative ideas so you can share them effectively
- write persuasive funding applications and proposals
- gently challenge yourself, learn and grow creatively through thoughtful, regular written correspondence
- develop your writing and develop through writing
I offer an initial free session to get to know each other a little and explore how we might work together before we commit to each other.

WANT TO TALK? BOOK A FREE DISCOVERY CALL
HOW YOU CAN WORK WITH ME
CHOOSE BETWEEN GENTLY PACED MENTORING OR SHORTER ONLINE COURSES WITH 1:1 COACHING SUPPORT

I offer one-to-one mentoring as a way to give my focused attention to those who want to grow creatively as artists and writers. I work with visual artists and writers of memoir and narrative non-fiction, as creative mentor, book coach and developmental editor.

My approach to mentoring has developed over decades, shaped by a commitment to learning as a continuous, gentle nudging at my own ‘growth edge’ and an acceptance of my introvert nature. I have blended my many learnings from a creative practice spanning 35 years: drawing, creative, academic and reflective writing, environmental philosophy, meditation practice, educational research, teaching in universities and art schools, doctoral supervision, and used this to develop my approach to facilitating the creative lives of others.

You will have my full attention, warm support, wide experience and gentle encouragement for as long as you feel you need it. It’s a work of careful listening, gentle encouragement and quiet challenge, helping you deepen the questions you bring to your work.
WRITE CONFIDENTLY ABOUT YOUR VISUAL ART
No artspeak, no cringe, no waffling
Develop the professional writing skills you need to communicate your art practice. Write an artist statement you feel proud of, an artist bio that highlights your achievements, a CV that's laser-focussed, and win that vital support for your art career.

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STEP INTO THE QUIET COACH WITH ME
FOR A THOUGHTFUL, SUPPORTIVE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS
Wondering if those scraps of writing in your sketchbooks could become an extension of your art practice? Interested to see how reflctive writing can deepen your art practice? Curious to see how your writing might develop? Got an idea for a book that's been percolating for years?

I can offer you one-to-one coaching and support, editorial feedback and publishing advice that's specific to your questions and ambitions.

Creative and professional mentoring that unfolds at the gentle pace of written correspondence, with detailed feedback on work-in-progress. For visual artists, writers, and those who do both.

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“It’s been an absolute joy to work with Sam!"

"Her thoughtful feedback and support has given me so much confidence and actionable ideas to help propel my project forward."

CAMI FLAKE

PHOTOGRAPHER AND MULTIMEDIA STORYTELLER
WHY WORK WITH ME?
- I'm a visual artist with 35+ years of experience across a broad range of practices and contexts
- I'm a published author with Hachette, one of the ‘big four’ publishers
- I'm author of a featured Substack newsletter with thousands of subscribers
- I have a PhD in creative writing from the University of St Andrews
- I have a Masters in environmental philosophy, and have studied Tibetan Buddhist texts at Samye Ling Kagyu monastery
- I have decades of teaching experience at UK Art Schools and Universities and research into learning and teaching in creative disciplines
- I have many years’ experience mentoring mid-career artists and helping memoir and narrative nonfiction authors write their books
- I'm an island-dweller, vegetable grower, sea swimmer, book lover, chicken keeper and obsessive drawer…
TESTIMONIALS
hear from happy clients

“It was fantastic to have the full attention of someone who was able to pull together such a detailed, holistic overview and give such good advice.

It's given me lots to think about and I've found it has functioned like a call to action. It’s been transformative, and I don’t say that lightly.

The method of writing to and fro has been amazing. Having someone walking alongside you and encouraging you has been brilliant.”

HILARY NICOLL

ARTIST, CURATOR, ACADEMIC
“Working with Sam over the last few months has been one of the best investments I have made in my art practice. I’ve enjoyed the slower pace of e-mail correspondence and it’s enabled a rich and detailed conversation between us. The advice, prompts and resources in Sam’s emails are becoming a valuable record for me to refer to.

Sam is perceptive, knowledgeable, supportive and encouraging and I appreciate her gentle sense of humour and her care. I value the safe, non judgemental space that she creates for me to unravel and resolve issues about my art and over the months that we’ve been working together I’ve begun to develop a clearer understanding of my art practice and of myself as an artist.”

ANDREA BUTLER

VISUAL ARTIST
“I contacted Sam for coaching because I had reached an impasse with a book I’ve been working on for a while. The feedback I received has surpassed anything I’d imagined coaching could offer. Her reading of the work showed a deep perceptiveness, as well as invaluable knowledge and understanding of the written word and its potential. Sam’s insightful comments and suggestions offered me the solutions and inspiration I needed to proceed, and much more. If you are looking for someone who can offer guidance and inspiration, you won’t find anyone better than Sam. I consider myself very fortunate to have found her.”

ANGIE ATHANASSIADES

WRITER
“If you are a visual artist or writer and need first rate creative coaching look no further than Sam. She has the depth of experience, and the skill to support and stimulate your creativity; she can help you reflect constructively on your work, develop an existing project or consider a fresh start. Sam is a scholar within her areas of expertise, and in parallel her practical on-point advice is valuable and thought-provoking for those she works with.”

MARY WALTHAM

VISUAL ARTIST
“It's crazy how much progress I've made with all your incredible support and belief in me!

I feel like I’ve gone supersonic! I see you as a gatherer of loose threads from seemingly random pieces, finding fascinating and insightful connections, and re-presenting them to me as a coherent narrative. It's teaching me to keep stepping back and re-evaluate my work as a whole. The brainstorming and clarification, the in-depth questionnaires, as well as recommendations for resources to use or artists to research or books to read, have been hugely invaluable.”

MORAG MERRIMAN

VISUAL ARTIST

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