“There are no such things as stupid questions, only pretentious instructors.”
- Michelle’s teaching motto
Manuscript consultations & 1-on-1 coaching
AKA: “Book Therapy”
I offer writing coaching and editing services for writers looking to revise a novel, memoir or short story. My specialties are humor, job-related stories, mental/physical health journeys and family dynamics. I have edited many stories around addiction and recovery, trauma and abuse. I love reading about your unique life and helping to solidify plot and your story’s “aboutness.”
Now booking limited spaces for May & June for:
Written feedback or editing
Verbal-only “book talk” sessions
And combinations of both
Read all about it by clicking that button, and feel free to ask any questions here.
Funny Fiction Workshop
May 6 - June 10 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. PST @ Literary Arts
What makes a funny story more than just an elbow jabbing good time? In this class, we’ll read several humorous short stories and figure out what makes them impactful, lasting and literature.
In this six-week, workshop-meets-craft class, we’ll dissect five different short stories and figure out: How did the writer do that? We’ll then apply some of those same literary tools to your own stories.
WORKSHOP: Each writer will have the opportunity to have one short story workshopped in this class, with written and verbal feedback from both instructor and peers.
We’ll read work from renowned writers known for their wit, their weird, and their impact. This includes writers like Percival Everett, Lorrie Moore, Miranda July, Ottessa Moshfegh, George Saunders, Kurt Vonnegut, David Sedaris and others.
This class isn’t going to try and teach humor, that hard-to-teach beast. This class is for those interested in writing stories that go beyond the wit and weird and that truly make an impact. And of course, this class is for people who love a good short story, and want to read some of the best in contemporary literature.
NOTE: We added a third edition of this class with all new short stories and writing prompts.
Story Plot and Aboutness: Completing Your Story
June 4 - July 2, Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m. (four sessions, no class June 18) — Hosted by Literary Arts
This summer, let’s finish a story! This creative writing workshop is a fresh take on an old classic: a writing workshop with a focus on craft. Using examples from literature, we’ll examine what is working in several contemporary short stories then take a deeper look at our own work.
Each writer will have the opportunity to participate in a workshop and will have the option to submit a full short story, the opening page, or a plot summary.
Every class session will include:
A detailed, guided warm up
Story dissection
Time for questions and brainstorming
Suggested at-home reading and writing exercises
This class is for beginner to more experienced writers, and we’ll adjust the schedule based on what topics we feel need more time.
Fun and Practical Revision
June 27, Saturday, 12:00-3:30 p.m. (one session)
At Literary Arts, 716 SE Grand Ave, Portland OR
In this one-day workshop, we’ll review practical, applicable revision tools for each stage of the revision process. Then, we’ll take some time to reflect on what parts of your work-in-progress to tackle next.
This class includes a verbal workshop component, where each writer will have the opportunity to talk through some of their editing sticking points. Writers are encouraged to bring a sample page of a work-in-progress for an in-class activity.
Each writer will be sent home with an editing checklist and editing goals for the coming weeks. This workshop is meant to be fun and motivating.
How to Start a Story
Learn more about the class and watch for a fun surprise…
How to Start a Story: Craft-focused prompts & exercises to help you consciously start interesting stories
This mini course is focused on the most difficult part of writing a story: starting with a focus, and infusing stories with “interesting.”
In How to Start a Story we’ll use three very different types of writing prompts to start a story with potential. Then, we’ll review how these prompts help you to reflect on what your story is “about.”
Each class comes with:
3 guided prompts to help you write more interesting stories
Office Hours
As part of my Substack, office hours is a 1-hour live session where writers and other creatives can come together and talk about making art. For example:
How do you structure your day?
How do you reach your artistic goals (or set some?)
What’re you struggling with most in your creative /writing life?
Free for paid Substack subscribers, which is only $5/mo, or $20 a head for drop in folks.
NEXT:
Live session date coming soon. In the meantime: Send me your questions and I’ll answer them in a written post.
EVENTS
Interested in hosting Michelle at your organization, book store, or event? contact Michelle directly.
Upcoming
✜ April 16 - Powell’s Books, in conversation with Luke Goebel about his book, Kill Dick
Past Events
✜ April 8 - Literary Arts, in conversation with Robyn Saunders Wilson for the launch of her book, Junkyard Princess
✜ November 8 — Portland Book Festival: Hooked — How to Catch Reader Interest From the Start
✜ November 2 — Powell’s Books, in conversation with Erica Vanstone and Kim Stegeman
✜ May 25 — Raymond Carver’s Birthday: Carver poetry readings from a bunch of Portland area artists
The Chapel Theater in Milwaukie, OR.
✜ May 29 — Up Up Books with Morgan Waites, author of She Was Horrid
✜ April 26 — PORTLAND — Literary Arts —Free pop up class as part of National Independent Bookstore Day!
How to Start a Story (sneak peak in-person session!)
1 pm — Link here! Space is limited. Recommend arriving early. Free snackies and drinkies.
April 26 — PORTLAND — Bold Books
5 pm — With Emme Lund, author The Boy with a Bird in His Chest
For National Independent Bookstore Day!
✜ April 10 — PORTLAND — Literary Arts — with Portland Radio Project Executive Director and Producer, Veronica Bisesti!
7 pm — Link here!
✜March 14 —Live interview on the Portland Radio Project, 99.1 fm or streaming at prp.fm
✜ March 4, PORTLAND — Co-launch with Portland author Bristol Vaudrin to celebrate the release of Bristol’s debut book, Afterward at The Old Portland
✜ March 6 — SAN FRANCISCO — Green Apple Books in conversation with writer and translator Achy Obejas
✜ March 8 — OAKLAND — Clio’s — in conversation with musician Madeline Kenney
✜ The Banana Pitch Variety Show, Pitch on the Streets (current, ongoing)
Live interviews with authors, musicians and comedians
✜ Portland Book Festival - November 2024
Writing Workshop: Weird Asides: Incorporating Funny Tangents into Your Writing
✜ The Tomorrow Theater - September 2024
In Conversation with Brooke Totman about Sexy Life, Hello and conversations with Mattress,
Reptaliens, and Travis Abels
✜ Tin House - Bishop & Wilde Bookstore, July 2024
In conversation with Ananda Lima about her collection Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil
✜ The Stacks Bookstore, June 2024
In conversation with Tessa Fontaine about her novel The Red Grove
✜ Portland Art Museum, March 2024
Emcee, Best Music Video Showcase
✜ Tin House - Bishop & Wilde Bookstore, November 2023
In Conversation with Jennifer Fliss about her short story collection, As If She Had a Say
✜ Powell’s Books, September 2023
In Conversation with Nicola Griffith about her novel, Menewood
✜ Willamette Week Best New Bands Showcase, Emcee - June 2022
Is there a class you’d like to see?
A lot of my classes fill up fairly quick! To be the first to learn about upcoming classes, sign up for my newsletter (just enter your email in the space at the end of this page).
Is there a topic you’d be most interested in? What are your biggest writing struggles? I’d love to hear about it so I can potentially include them in an upcoming class.
I’m about to announce the final class of the year, and a couple brand new ones that start January 2026!
Want Michelle to teach at your place?
Workshops
Michelle loves leading workshops for large groups or small.
Event Hosting
Michelle loves to emcee, including live interviews, show hosting, co-hosting…
Etc
Send a message about what you’re thinking!
Get Covered
Learn from a music journalist how to get press. We’ll review real (fictionalized) press releases and dissect what makes a good pitch. We’ll also cover all the stuff you should have on your website, social media and electronic press kits (EPK).
Class comes with downloadable templates for all of the above
What students are saying…
I found my voice in Michelle’s class. Finally, I found my voice.
— G.T., Portland Community College student
"Hands down - Best writing class that I’ve taken at LA."
— Literary Arts student
"Michelle Kicherer is a truly gifted teacher of writing! Each student discovered material they had no idea was inside of them. Michelle is disarming, charming, crazy smart and also very funny. Thanks Michelle!"
— Literary Arts student
Michelle's Fiction Technique in Memoir class is thoughtfully, intelligently designed, and gracefully delivered. I have been in grad seminars where I have learned less.
— Tasha S., Writing Workshops student
I got exactly what I needed from Michelle's class! Through the reading and writing prompts discussed with the class, I was able to tackle my own writing project from all kinds of different angles I never would have thought of on my own.
— Emily R., Writing Workshops student
If you're struggling with your memoir, I urge you to take a course with Michelle! Her suggestions about my work are tremendously helpful. Michelle is an insightful, humorous and thoughtful teacher. She's inspired me to write consistently, no easy task. Thank you, Michelle.
— Karen K.
Michelle, thanks again and again. It’s been delightful to work with you and receive such helpful suggestions, skilled editing, and on-going encouragement. You’ve fed my writing in more ways than you could ever know, or imagine.
— Geri O., Litquake student
Michelle, you have no idea what this class means to me. Thank you.
— M.G., Portland Community College student
Michelle, this has been the workshop which transformed my whole understanding of writing. I have so admired your gentle style (combined with your superpower insight and incredible edits!) I am so grateful to have been in this class.”
— Rob B., Writing Workshops student
Other recent classes
Note: I teach regularly at several schools & organizations. To stay in the loop on new classes subscribe to my newsletter (form below)
Fiction Technique in Memoir - Summer ‘24 - SOLD OUT
Hosted by Writing Workshops
Intermediate Creative Writing, Spring ‘24 -SOLD OUT
Portland Community College
Beginning Creative Writing, Spring ‘24
Portland Community College
Beginning Memoir, Spring ‘24 -SOLD OUT
Portland Community College
Unblocking Writer’s Block, Jan ‘24 - SOLD OUT
Hosted by Literary Arts
Chapter 1: How to Write Openings, Jan ‘24
Hosted by The Attic Institute
The Writing, Editing, Writing Class, Jan ‘24
Hosted by The Attic Institute
Get Writing - Summer ‘23 - SOLD OUT
Hosted by Literary Arts
Prompts & Processes - Summer ‘23 - SOLD OUT
Hosted by Writing Workshops
Fiction Technique in Memoir - Summer ‘23 - SOLD OUT
Hosted by Writing Workshops
The Novel Mapping Class - Spring ‘23
Hosted by Writing Workshops
Prompted: A Get-Writing Class - Spring ‘23 — SOLD OUT (thank you!)
Hosted by Writing Workshops
The Craft of Fiction (in-person) - SOLD OUT
Hosted by Literary Arts
Fiction Technique in Memoir (In-person) - SOLD OUT (thank you!)
Hosted by Literary Arts
4-Month Writing Cohort for Memoirists (Online)
Prompted: A Get-Writing Class - Winter ‘23 — SOLD OUT (thank you!)
Hosted by Writing Workshops
Fiction Technique in Memoir (Online) - SOLD OUT (thank you!)
Hosted by Writing Workshops
Generative Writing (online)
Hosted by Litquake
