Writer Coaching Services Find Your Voice. Tell Your Story. Become the Writer You Want to Be.
How I can help you
I’ve coached writers, taught classes, given public talks, and have helped hundreds of writers turn their dreams into reality and achieve their writing goals for over two decades.
I am available for coaching, developmental editing, and small private classes and retreats.
I will guide you to write and finish your book, help you revise your draft, and help you become the writer you want to be.
Testimonials
Annabel Monaghan
Author of Click, Digit, Double Digit, and Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big
“When I showed my first novel to Pat Dunn, it had already been accepted by an agent. I Thought I was done, but in one reading Pat gave me five substantial, concrete fixes to my story. I relayed those ideas to my agent who pulled all submissions so that I could make the edits. “These are going to make all the difference,” she said. And she was right! I am forever indebted to Pat’s keen sense of story.”
Rebecca Marks
Author of the Dana Cohen Mystery Series (On the Rocks, Four Shots Neat, Stone Cold Sober, Old Fashioned with a Twist), Time Out, About Time, and Paint It Black.
“I started working with Pat Dunn about ten years ago at the Sarah Lawrence Writing Institute. I had always wanted to write fiction, and had the serendipity to stumble upon Pat's novel writing class. As a woman in my mid-sixties, I had been a technical writer for most of my career, but hadn't published any novels. I cannot express what an amazing teacher/mentor/advocate Pat has been for me. She has mastered the art of guiding writers who have some innate talent to succeed in completing full works, and then encouraging them to persist if they want to be published. She is honest, but always kind and incredibly intuitive about what works and what does not. After completing several classes with Pat, I was picked up by the boutique publisher Black Opal Books, and they have published seven of my novels. I am eternally grateful to Pat for her talent and guidance.”
Barbara Josselsohn
Author of The Last Dreamer, The Lilac House, and The Bluebell Girls
“Pat is an exceptional editor and writing coach! She has such a strong ability see what a story is and what it has the potential to be. She pinpoints so skillfully a story’s strengths as well as its gaps and hole — and she communicates this information in such a way that you not only improve your story but also your understanding of what a novel can. I never would never have gotten an agent or a publisher without her incredible input. Plus, she is kind, warm and funny. A true treasure!”
Reyna Marder Gentin
Author of Unreasonable Doubts, My Name Is Layla, and Both Are True (forthcoming from Moonshine Cove Press, October, 2021).
“On the day my manuscript was workshopped by the class, each of my classmates gave a supportive review, but also pointed out the many areas that needed work. I will always remember what Pat said to me. She picked one line from a critical scene and she said, “no matter what, never change this line.” At first I was dumbstruck. Was there only one line worth saving? It took me a long time to realize the beautiful message she had given me. Not, “was there only one line,” but, “there is one line!” There is a kernel. There is something key and core to your writing, it has a heart. Don’t give up! I think of that time often when I get frustrated with my work. There is always something worth keeping and worth pursuing. I wish Pat so much good luck in whatever she pursues next; I know it will be of great value for her and for all of us.”
Ines Rodriguez
Author of Days of Bossa Nova
"I decided to join a writer's workshop at Sarah Lawrence College in 2010. Since that first class, Pat Dunn infused me with a magic confidence that just grew over the years under her mentorship. Thank you, Pat, for your guidance."
Jacqueline Goldstein
Author of Ms. Murphy’s Makeover
"I loved having Pat as my teacher. She not only not only a warm, funny, and kind, human being, but also a skillful doctor for books: diagnosing problems, making surgical incisions, and ever generous with your time. She urged me out of my comfort zone, giving me the courage to “raise the stakes” both in my novel, and in my life as a writer. With her help, my novel, Ms. Murphy’s Makeover, was traditionally published, a dream come true. Because of Pat, I now can add the word author to my name and resume. Thanks so much, Pat!"