Charlotte Cook has earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Fiction and Nonfiction). She's taught writing classes for adults as well as adults-to-be in both private and public arenas, led focused writers groups and worked one-on-one with writers on specific projects for more than ten years. Her practical and colorful presentation of craft themes and strategies has made her a successful guest speaker at Sisters In Crime, various California Writers Club branch meetings, the Jack London Writers Conference, CWC Peninsula Branch's annual Kids' Camp and other organizations as well.

Charlotte's writing career began with a column in the Berkeley Gazette and has more recently included published pieces in Moxie Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle. In between she has written all kinds of business, technical, marketing and educational materials. She has even ghost written materials. Also, in the early 90's, Charlotte wrote a mystery that was a finalist in Malice Domestic and published several pieces on mystery writing. As she likes to say, Charlotte's nonfiction is easily published while her fiction wins awards and receives high praise while being rejected by famous editors. Her short story "A Child's First Book of Rodents" won third prize at the California Writers Club Jack London Writers Conference a few years ago. Currently she is working on a series of short stories, even after accepting the position of President of KOMENAR Publishing.

Perhaps most pertinent to other writers and writing students is Charlotte's clients' success. Around 15% of her students/clients have been published (several multiple times), won writing contests, acquired agents, and been accepted and graduated from respected writing programs. Recently, several agents have acknowledged that this accomplishment is "extraordinary" and are now accepting recommendations from her in reviewing book materials.

Private Writers Groups

A writers group functions best for writers working through a project and who can set aside two hours each week to read the work of other participants along with maintaining their own writing schedule. My two groups reflect a diversity of age, ethnicity, writing interests and subject matter. I am quite proud of the comradeship that develops among the participants. The result has been a group of writers who seek not only their own writing success but that of their peers.

These two writers groups meet at my home. Each group meets for nine weeks per semester (but not during the summer). Sessions are approximately 2.5 to 3 hours during which time we review and discuss submissions and writing issues. Class size is limited. Each participant can submit as frequently as they choose with each submission no longer than 25 pages. We use the critique style and guidelines outlined at this web site and practiced in my public classes.

The fee for my private groups is $150 to $250, with the participant picking the fee that works for them. Fees are paid at the beginning of each term. Sometimes a 10% deposit is required to hold a spot. Also I keep a waiting list along with a sabbatical list, for those who have participated and choose to take a break.

Generally I have few openings. But openings occur. Attendees must have experience with me either by previous participation in a public class or private meetings. I no longer accept people who have not worked with me prior to joining a private class.

Private Coaching, Mentoring, and Editing

One-on-one work is a special event for the writer and me as we focus on a specific project and particular needs. Most projects are novels and non-fiction books to be polished for submission to agents and publishers. I also do work with people focused on short stories and non-fiction articles. Our work together includes the basics of editing as well as private coaching or mentoring in areas particular to a writer's needs.

I am particularly skilled with structure (book and scene), genre fiction (such as mainstream, mystery and literary), creative non-fiction, dialogue, character development and completing projects. I have a keen eye for focus and order, all geared to keep a reader reading. I work with hard copy drafts and provide both written critiques and in-person or over the telephone conferences. I do a bit of work via email. I must confess to a preference of working with a live, interactive being. So some work via email is not for me.

The fee for my one-on-one work has special aspects to it, especially now with much of my time taken up with existing commitments. Also my work as president and primary editor of KOMENAR Publishing makes me sensitive to conflicts in interest, as well as time commitments that must be flexible. Each instance of private work must be carefully considered.

A Cautionary Note

I usually need one to three weeks after receiving a submission to complete the work. If there are several people ahead of you, I will tell you and give you an approximate schedule to be confirmed within the week. I will always explain to you what's on my schedule and contact you as soon as something changes and why. For example, sometimes I have to change my schedule and postpone meetings for a day or two because of health or family issues.

Also I do not read anything as soon as I get it. I plot my schedule and begin reading when I've set up a meeting. And, because I plan my work around our meeting when we will discuss your work, I now charge for time spent reading "extra" emails and telephone calls.

I can recommend other writing professionals who can help you with other specific writing needs or if my work schedule or anything else becomes an issue.