Write your memoir.
Work within, not against, your limitations to write your story like an artist and sell it like a pro.
Welcome to our three-month professional memoir-writing program, where we’ll help you finish your book with real-life flexibility and expert guidance. We provide top-notch education on both craft and the publishing industry from the literary world’s most brilliant and best-selling authors.
The Academy is closed indefinitely starting June 15th. Learn more about our special sale of the materials at $197 here.
AS SEEN IN
People
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The New Yorker
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Autostraddle
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The New York Times
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BBC Radio
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People • The New Yorker • Autostraddle • The New York Times • BBC Radio •
Why writing your memoir feels so hard…
And what we can help you do about it.
You have a story. A big one. A real one. A beautiful, messy, complicated, and necessary one. But let’s be honest—if writing a memoir were easy, you’d already have a finished book sitting on your desk, ready to send to publishers.
Instead, you…
Start and stop more times than you can count.
Stare at the screen, wondering where to begin.
Feel overwhelmed by how much life there is to untangle.
Struggle to find a structure that makes sense of the events of your life.
Wonder if anyone will even care about your story (spoiler: they will).
Maybe you’ve tried a writing class before, but it left you more confused than clear. Or maybe you’ve just been waiting for the perfect moment to start.
But let’s be real: if life has taught you anything, it’s that the perfect moment never comes.
Which is why you need a writing process designed for real life—one that works with your constraints, gives you structure, and helps you actually finish.
That's why The Unexpected Shape Writing Academy exists: to help you find clarity, structure, and the confidence to keep writing.
Not a Traditional Program—That’s the Point.
We’re breaking the mold on what it takes to be a “real” writer.
You're already a real writer. That's not your roadblock. What's in your way is that you need help getting from idea to book — getting to that next level. And you just want someone to tell you what works.
DISCOVER YOUR SUSTAINABLE WRITING RHYTHM
Finally experience the profound relief of a writing practice that works with your body, not against it.
Shed the shame and guilt that comes from trying to follow one-size-fits-all writing advice.
Develop personalized rhythms that honor your energy fluctuations.
FINISH WHAT YOU START
Move beyond the cycle of abandoned projects and half-finished drafts.
Maintain momentum even through health flares and caregiving emergencies with our structured blend of flexibility and accountability.
Prove to yourself that interruptions won't derail your entire vision.
RECLAIM YOUR CREATIVE IDENTITY
Experience the transformative power of being seen and understood as a complete writer—not defined by your limitations but not required to ignore them either.
Unlock creative energy you've been using to navigate shame and isolation.
GAIN INDUSTRY-READY SKILLS
Develop the craft and strategic knowledge needed to create memoir writing that meets professional standards.
Learn to shape your personal experiences into compelling narratives that resonate with readers and stand out to agents and editors.
Gain both the artistic tools and practical industry knowledge to move your work toward publication.
JOIN A COMMUNITY THAT "GETS IT"
End the exhausting cycle of feeling like the "problem student" while explaining your needs and limitations.
Become a writer among writers who understand.
Create lasting relationships with fellow creators who can continue to support your journey for years to come.
TRANSFORM LIMITATION INTO CREATIVE ADVANTAGE
Discover how your unique perspective and life circumstances aren't obstacles to overcome but are actually the source of your most powerful writing.
Generate more authentic, distinctive work that resonates deeply with readers.
EXPERIENCE THE CONFIDENCE OF CLEAR DIRECTION
Replace overwhelming confusion with clarity about your project and path forward.
Identify exactly what your memoir needs and the precise steps to bring it to life, eliminating the energy-draining uncertainty that keeps many writers stuck.
The true transformation of the Unexpected Shape Writing Academy isn't just a finished manuscript—it's the profound shift from seeing yourself as a writer despite your limitations to recognizing that your unique circumstances are integral to the stories only you can tell. It's time to stop waiting for your life to match conventional writing advice and instead build a writing practice as unique and resilient as you are.
A memoir-writing program that works with your life, not against it.
The Unexpected Shape Writing Academy is the only full-curriculum, carefully constructed online memoir-writing program that understands and honors your life’s constraints.
Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, caretaking responsibilities, or other limitations, we believe these aren’t obstacles to your writing—they are integral to your creative process. Here, you’ll learn both the art of memoir and the art of building a first-rate book proposal in a way that works for you.
This is not a rushed, one-size-fits-all approach. Just as a cathedral cannot be built in a week, a sellable book proposal takes time, intention, and the right scaffolding. That’s exactly what we create together in our three-month cohort—a foundation that supports you now and far into the future.
And whether you’re working on a book or another form of personal nonfiction, this Academy will guide you toward clarity, confidence, and a tangible path forward in your writing journey.
Here’s what you’ll leave with
A sustainable writing practice that honors your natural creative rhythms and builds genuine momentum, allowing you to make consistent progress without burning out or forcing creativity when it's not flowing.
Expert craft instruction that transforms personal experiences into compelling narratives with universal appeal, teaching you how to elevate your individual story into something that resonates deeply with readers.
Connection to a supportive community of fellow writers who understand creative ambition and can provide meaningful feedback, encouragement, and accountability throughout your writing journey.
Clear, practical pathways toward publication that demystify the process from drafting to submission, giving you insider knowledge on navigating the often confusing world of literary agents, publishers, and submission strategies.
Professional insights from award-winning authors whose work has resonated with diverse readers, offering you proven strategies that have succeeded in today's competitive literary marketplace.
A transformed relationship with writing that feels like coming home to yourself rather than forcing yourself to be someone you're not, allowing your authentic voice and perspective to shine through in every word.
What You Get in an Academy Membership
A full-service, online writing school open to all. Our work takes place over a three-month cohort, where you’ll move through a transformative curriculum at your own pace and benefit from:
Structured curriculum across 12 recorded modules, plus an introduction and conclusion
Connection and accountability with the other members of your cohort through the Circle community
Bi-weekly coworking sessions and other community events throughout your three-month program
Monthly group coaching calls with Esmé
We care about being knowledgeable, generous, and aesthetically pleasing (because hey—beauty does add to the experience).
THE PATHWAY
Our curriculum of twelve classes led by best-selling author Esmé Weijun Wang. All in a structured approach that honors your own pace—learn when you can, on-demand. Finally, a memoir curriculum that doesn't demand you write like someone without limitations.
Our carefully crafted curriculum, or The Pathway, guides you through pre-writing, drafting, and publication preparation in a sequence that builds momentum while respecting your energy fluctuations. No more cobbling together fragmented advice or abandoning courses mid-way—this integrated approach means every small step you take contributes meaningfully to your larger vision, even on days when you can only manage fifteen minutes of creative work.
THE CANOPY
Exclusive lectures from best-selling luminaries who understand the power of personal story. Access 12 exceptional guest lectures from award-winning authors who have transformed their own complex experiences into acclaimed work. These aren't superficial "inspiration talks" but substantive, intimate craft discussions that help you refine your unique voice—a Canopy of experts to look up to.
The best part? These recordings are available whenever your body and schedule allow, eliminating the anxiety of missing crucial content during flare-ups or caregiving emergencies.
Leslie Jamison (The Recovering, The Empathy Exams), a New York Times bestselling author whose work has redefined contemporary memoir.
Hanif Abdurraqib (Go Ahead in the Rain, They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us), a MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient and one of the most compelling cultural critics of our time.
Melissa Febos, an acclaimed author and essayist known for lyrical, intimate works exploring identity, trauma, and desire, including Girlhood and Body Work.
PSSSST…On the go? As a member, you can also access all Academy lectures and courses through your favorite podcast app.
THE COMPASS
A set of two additional guided activities to direct you in writing within your limitations—not despite them. Our proprietary Dream Hunting with Limitations and Building a Writing Habit While Living with Limitations processes have guided hundreds of writers with chronic conditions and caregiving responsibilities toward sustainable creative practices. Unlike traditional writing advice that makes you feel inadequate when you can't "power through," the tools that make up The Compass help you build writing habits that work in harmony with your actual life. We don't ask you to overcome your body's realities—we help you transform them into the foundation of your unique creative process.
Dream Hunting with Limitations—our proprietary, step-by-step process for creating a roadmap from limitations to success that has helped hundreds of writers worldwide.
Building a Writing Habit While Living with Limitations—a unique approach designed specifically for writers balancing creative ambitions with life’s realities.
THE GROVE
An online community that never asks you to explain your limitations. Join biweekly co-working sessions where "I need to work from bed today" or "I can only manage 20 minutes" is completely understood. Participate in monthly group coaching calls with Esmé Weijun Wang where both craft questions and real-time feedback happen in a space that honors your pace and process. Here, you're never the "difficult" student asking for accommodations—you're simply a writer whose specific circumstances are woven into the fabric of how we work together. The Grove is where you stand in grounded community and grow together.
Biweekly co-working sessions—because writing is easier when you’re not alone.
Two group coaching calls per month with Esmé:
The Craft Lab—Ask questions and get expert guidance
The First Pass—Get live, supportive cold reads among friends
By the end of your cohort, you will have the scaffolding of your book proposal and/or memoir—along with the knowledge and confidence to carry it forward on your own timeline.
OH & ONE MORE THING
Introducing the VIP Academy Membership—for the next level of mentorship.
If you want all of the above and you also want direct feedback from Esme on your work & regular communication and coaching one-on-one, consider becoming a VIP.
"Am I good enough to be a writer? Is my dream of being published just that—a dream? Are my files and files of writing going to end up producing anything worthwhile? Am I wasting my time?"
A gentle, helpful hand is within reach.
For $1,800, VIP members get everything in the standard program PLUS:
Ongoing Voxer access to Esmé (so you can ask questions, get unstuck, and receive encouragement in real time).
Personalized feedback on up to 10,000 words of your work—actual hands-on critique from Esmé herself.
A deeper level of mentorship—perfect if you’re looking for more accountability, direct guidance, and expert eyes on your writing.
Personalized guidance from someone who understands.
This isn't just another workshop leader reading your pages—it's personalized guidance from a bestselling author who intimately understands the complex reality of creating while navigating limitations. When energy for explaining yourself is precious, working with someone who already "gets it" becomes not just helpful but essential to your progress.
Perhaps what you want is not just another online class, but a real, live human to talk to who will give you their full attention. A person to work with one-on-one who has won awards in both nonfiction and fiction, is a Contributing Editor for Poets & Writers Magazine, and has written a New York Times-bestselling essay collection. Someone who will speak to you directly about the challenges that you face, give you feedback on your work, and help you find the light at the end of your confusion.
That's what you'll get when you sign up for a VIP Academy Membership.
Join Us
Registration now closed. Sign up to be notified when we open registration again.
The Transformative Power of Personalized Mentorship
FINDING SUPPORT AND CONNECTIONS
"I joined the Unexpected Shape Academy searching for community. I was looking for a supportive environment to nurture my growing writing ambitions. Esmé and the community she cultivates is just what I was looking for. She gave me access to authors and industry experts I had never thought I would interact with. This work of breaking down barriers made me believe that my ambition could materialize into actual essays and maybe even an actual book.
Working with Esmé 1-on-1 has only cemented my resolve to continue investing in my writerly ambitions. I know my work will be received with care. Her insight has always pushed my writing to a new level. I have also gained a champion for my work. Esme has connected me to other members of the literary community. She’s provided recommendations on where my work can live on. Moreover, she talks about my book as something that will exist in the future. That kind of support pushes me to keep writing so that this book does eventually see the light of day. And when it does, Esmé will be in the acknowledgments."
—Alex Clemente
FINISHING A BOOK PROPOSAL IN WEEKS
"At the time, the ‘book proposal’ [was] still just a bunch of ideas in the back of my mind, and scribbled in the pages of my journal. And then, just as I start to think I really need to do something about pulling this proposal together, I get an email from my friend Esmé Weijun Wang, a talented writer who has done a fantastic job editing projects for me in the past. Out of the blue, after nearly a year without contact, she says, 'I’m just checking in about possible projects. Do you have anything you need editing?' Well, funny you should ask…
And so, with Esme’s help I put together an ambitious plan to write my entire book proposal in a matter of weeks, with regular Skype check-ins and frequent reviews. The pressure it puts on me is just what I need and the proposal starts to flow."
—Beth Kempton, bestselling author of Freedom Seeker and We Are In This Together
RECEIVING WORLD-CLASS FEEDBACK
"Upon completing my manuscript, I popped it off to Esmé and was wow'd by the experience of working with her to prepare my precious cargo for publication!
Our working relationship involved that rare combination of speed, reliability AND the highest quality feedback. Esmé was so attuned to my intentions for the book and any suggestions were communicated with great sensitivity and care.
Of course I gladly agreed with anything she noted as her input elevated the overall result, without a doubt. Hire Esmé!"
—Dr. Ezzie Spencer, author of Lunar Abundance
DEMYSTIFYING THE INDUSTRY
"Esmé is a brilliant writer who cares intensely about community, with a deeply generous approach to sharing knowledge and uplifting others' voices. She helps make our literary communities a better and more expansive place, and anyone being mentored by Esmé will surely learn a great deal about writing practices, paths toward and through publishing, and what can often be an opaque and confusing industry.
We should all be so lucky as to be guided along the way by someone as astute as Esmé."
—R.O. Kwon, author of Exhibit and editor of Kink
GAINING A TRUE MENTOR
"Esmé Weijun Wang is not only brilliant, she's one of the hardest working writers I know. Her thoughtfulness, dedication, and attention to detail would benefit anyone working with her in a mentorship role."
—Rachel Khong, author of Real Americans and Goodbye, Vitamin
You could be next. Join a cohort as a VIP member and gain extra support for your story.
Hello! I’m Esmé, your new ally in the writing world.
I’m a writer and teacher—the author of the award-winning, New York Times-bestselling essay collection The Collected Schizophrenias (2019), as well as the novel The Border of Paradise (2016), which was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2016; I was selected by Granta for their once-a-decade Best of Young American Novelists list of 21 authors under 40.
My personal essay collection was one of TIME’s 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2019 and one of People Magazine’s Best Books of 2019; it also won the Graywolf Nonfiction Prize, the prestigious Whiting Award, and the Northern California Award for Creative Nonfiction.
A former MFA Visiting Professor in Creative Nonfiction at San Jose State University and a current Contributing Editor for Poets & Writers Magazine, I’ve also made appearances on the Today Show, NPR’s Weekend Edition, KCRW, the New York Times, the CBC, Flavorwire, and the New Yorker Online.
“I built the writing academy I wish that I had.”
The Academy helps members …
Inside the Academy Curriculum
Explore the full journey of memoir-writing organized in step-by-step modules that guide you from the foundations of your story to a full proposal or draft. Welcome to the Pathway.
Academy 101 (Foundations)
Learn the essential building blocks of writing your memoir—and get started right away.
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Spend an hour and a half selecting your best nonfiction topic, paving the way for the book that you, and only you, are made to write.
You're going to gain concrete clarity, out of the cloudy & general ideas you've been playing with. You'll figure out enough information for a quick elevator pitch as well as the beginnings of a book. You'll feel excited and invigorated to begin work, knowing that you have the elements of the best nonfiction topic that you can write on, right now.
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It's been a long time since you last wrote something—an essay, a chapter of your memoir—anything that felt like it was for you. You're not alone. This class will help you finally do something about it. (Really.)
Pre-Writing
Reflect, journal, and explore—get organized about your creative process and principles before turning to the page.
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This class will guide you through the ethical questions you need to consider when working on personal nonfiction.
Rather than getting generalized recommendations, you’ll complete exercises designed to help you figure out your own answers, including 10 questions to ask yourself before writing personal nonfiction and/or memoir. -
Walk through the process of journal-keeping for both your current book idea and the ideas to come.
You'll excavate memories in your journal, using concrete exercises and prompts to get to the details you need for the project you have in mind—no more wandering in the foggy lands of I don't remember how exactly that went. You’ll also practice recording the events of your life for future personal nonfiction and memoir projects. The outcome? Discovering topics for writing that you didn't know your life contained.
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You will dive into the practicalities of writing a book and Esmé’s system to create the bones of any story (including The Collected Schizophrenias).
This class takes a practical look at how to use index cards to brainstorm, write, and revise creative nonfiction. When used as writing tools, index cards can not only retain facts and ideas, but can also keep track of important bibliographic and structural information for an essay or book.
Once collected, cards can then be spread out to visualize the shape of a written project, see what is missing, and envision what needs to be added. -
You know what you want to write about. The question is: what kind of structure will your narrative take?
Metaphorically speaking, are you building a castle, or a tiny house? Will your essay/chapter/book take the form of a braid, a single thread, or a complex tapestry?
In this class, you'll look at the structures and perspectives of different published essays and learn how to find the structure and perspective that fits what you want to write.
Writing
Time to put words on the page—and confront all the emotions that come up when writing about our lives.
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In this class, we will take a look at writing about painful subjects.
Questions that you’ll get answered: How do we prepare to write about trauma while doing minimal harm to ourselves? How do we know whether it's really time to write about something painful? What about the other people that are involved in the things that we want to write about? And how do we keep ourselves from making our nonfiction into a self-absorbed journal entry, as opposed to literature?
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Here you will learn about the emotional component of memoir-writing through the full trajectory of the project.
The three major skills you’ll gain: accessing emotions before writing, accessing emotions and employing self-care during and after writing, and getting emotions onto the page via style, language, and content.
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This class is designed to help you uncover and refine the narrative structure of your memoir and/or essay.
Whether you’re just beginning or deep into the drafting process, this class will guide you in identifying and addressing cracks in the foundation of your storytelling.
You’ll learn how to move beyond a simple chronological recounting of events and shape your writing into a compelling narrative with a beginning, middle, and end—one that resonates with readers and leaves them deeply satisfied.
Publication
Now you’re ready to find the right audience and get your work in the hands of publishers—time to launch your words into the world.
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Writing is one thing; publishing is another. You need to know about both, and this class will help get you there.
How do you get published in a magazine or newspaper? What does a "pitch" look like? And how do you find an agent? What does an agent do, and how do you know when you need one? You'll look at successful pitches, learn about the structure of a query, and come to understand the ins and outs of agents, publication, and everything in between.
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In this class, you’ll get a practical look at how to create a nonfiction book proposal that sells.
Esmé is a former book proposal coach who specialized in helping those new to the publishing world create and sell their nonfiction books. Along the way, she learned the ins and outs of writing nonfiction book proposals—and now she wants to share that information with you.
Get a walk-through of a book proposal and questions answered about traditional publishing, all intended for those who are inexperienced with the book proposal process.
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Learn what an “author platform” is, how important it really is if you want to be traditionally published, and different ways to build an author platform that suits you best.
Best of all? You’ll walk away with a solid plan to move ahead.
Learn from today’s leading literary voices
Let your guest lecturers welcome you to the Canopy.
Great memoirs aren’t written in isolation. That’s why we’ve brought in acclaimed writers and industry professionals to share their expertise—offering you insight, encouragement, and practical tools. Learn from those who’ve been where you are, and take in the wisdom that will help shape your own story with confidence.
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Meghan O’Rourke is an award-winning writer, poet, and editor, best known for The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness and The Long Goodbye. A former editor at The New Yorker and Slate, her work explores health, grief, and identity. She is the editor of The Yale Review and a Guggenheim Fellow.
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Hanif Abdurraqib is a poet, essayist, and cultural critic known for A Little Devil in America and Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest. A MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, his work explores music, memory, and Black identity with depth and lyricism. He is also an acclaimed editor and curator.
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T Kira Madden is the author of the acclaimed memoir Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls. A writer, photographer, and editor, her work explores identity, queerness, and family with unflinching honesty. She is the founding editor of No Tokens and teaches creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College.
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Eula Biss is an award-winning essayist and author of On Immunity, Notes from No Man’s Land, and Having and Being Had. Her work explores race, capitalism, and the body with intellectual rigor and poetic precision. A former Guggenheim Fellow, she teaches creative writing at Northwestern University.
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Leslie Jamison is a bestselling author and essayist known for The Empathy Exams, The Recovering, and Make It Scream, Make It Burn. Her work blends memoir, cultural criticism, and investigative journalism, exploring addiction, empathy, and storytelling. A former Guggenheim Fellow, she teaches nonfiction writing at Columbia University.
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Suleika Jaouad is the bestselling author of Between Two Kingdoms, a memoir about illness, survival, and reclaiming life. A journalist, speaker, and creator of The Isolation Journals, her work explores resilience and creativity. A former New York Times columnist, she is a passionate advocate for storytelling and healing.
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Stephanie Foo is a journalist, radio producer, and author of What My Bones Know, a groundbreaking memoir on trauma and healing. A former producer at This American Life, her work blends investigative reporting with deeply personal storytelling. She explores mental health, identity, and resilience with candor and insight.
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Yahdon Israel is a Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster and founder of Literaryswag, a movement blending literature and fashion to make books accessible. He has served as Editorial Director of Northside Media and Editor-in-Chief of Brooklyn Magazine.
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Soleil Ho is a journalist, cultural critic, and former restaurant critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. Known for their incisive writing on food, identity, and culture, they explore the intersections of race, gender, and power in dining. Their work has appeared in Eater, The New York Times, and NPR.
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Melissa Febos is an award-winning memoirist and essayist, best known for Girlhood, Abandon Me, and Body Work. Her writing explores identity, trauma, feminism, and creative process with depth and lyricism. A former Guggenheim Fellow, she teaches writing at the University of Iowa and is a passionate advocate for personal storytelling.
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Carmen Maria Machado is the bestselling author of Her Body and Other Parties and In the Dream House, known for blending memoir, horror, and speculative fiction. Her work explores gender, queerness, trauma, and power with bold experimentation. A former Guggenheim Fellow, she teaches creative writing at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Vauhini Vara is a journalist, editor, and author of The Immortal King Rao, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Her work explores technology, capitalism, and identity, appearing in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The New York Times. A former Wall Street Journal reporter, she is also a Tin House faculty member.
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Camonghne Felix is a poet, essayist, and cultural strategist, known for Build Yourself a Boat, a National Book Award nominee, and Dyscalculia: A Love Story of Epic Miscalculation. Her work explores trauma, identity, and mental health with lyrical depth. A former political speechwriter, she bridges storytelling, activism, and policy.
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Ethan Nosowsky, Editorial Director at Graywolf Press, is responsible for shaping Graywolf’s prose lists; he acquires fiction and nonfiction titles.
Stephanie Foo New York Times-bestselling author of What My Bones Know
Hanif Abdurraqib
MacArthur Fellow and author of They Can’t Kill Us Till They Kill Us
T Kira Madden
Author of Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls
Leslie Jamison award-winning, New York Times-bestseling author of The Empathy Exams and The Recovering
Camonghne Felix
Poet and author of Dyscalculia: A Love Story of Epic Miscalculation
What Our Students are Saying
Lorraine Boissoneault, an Academy student, had a debut piece published in The New Yorker.
“It's about my experience with heart arrhythmias, and I don't think I'd have had the guts (or coping mechanisms) necessary for writing it without The Unexpected Shape.
Being a member of that community and hearing from speakers like Carmen Maria Machado and Suleika Jaouad taught me so much about sharing the painful, challenging moments of my own life—as did the courses you taught, Esmé, and your own book. I'm hoping to use this essay as the launch pad for a book on chronic illness, similar to The Collected Schizophrenias.
Again, thank you so much for creating a space to talk about our limitations, learn to live with them, and write alongside them. It's really hard being in a disabled/chronically ill body, but having other people who understand makes all the difference.”
FROM WRITING TO WRITER. The transformation is real.
"If you don’t believe you’re a writer at the start of this course, you will by the end of it."
"When I think about The Unexpected Shape Academy the word that comes to mind is generosity. Esmé and her assistant are incredibly generous with their time, their care, and the effort they put into both the syllabus and making everyone feel welcome and included.
As a non-professional writer attempting the daunting task of creating a non-fiction narrative about climate change, I couldn’t have hoped for a better introduction. This course provides useful insight into both the art and the practice of writing and, thanks to the fantastic guest speakers and panelists, gives an insider’s glimpse into the world of pitching and publishing. If you don’t believe you’re a writer at the start of this course, you will by the end of it.
I can’t recommend this course highly enough–thank you for a wonderful experience!"
—Nina
FINDING COMMUNITY & A UNIQUE WRITING VOICE.
“I have talked to so many people about the Academy recently and one of my favourite things about this group is how trauma-informed it is, and how everyone has difficulties going on and nobody treats it like a bad thing."
—Ophira
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Community that Honors Your Body
"In Esmé and the Academy I found the teachings, support and community which for years I had longed, but didn’t know how to access. And in Esmé’s care and support I feel like a writer not only when I am able to be present and actively writing, but also when I must honor my body and tend to my health."
—Kri Yamada
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No Longer Feeling Alone
"As a writer with a disability, a busy mom, and an instructor, it is difficult to sustain a creative practice without a community and in isolation … The Unexpected Shape Academy, which Esmé has so carefully curated and made possible—from the live sessions, to the brilliant classes, recording sessions with prominent writers, and community forum—[has helped me find] ways to deepen my practice and felt less alone while I’ve writing.
Every time I participate in one of Esmé's classes, I am impressed by both her warmth and knowledge about how to sustain a writing practice and the tools to use when you live with limitations."
—Leslie Contreras Schwartz
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Learning to Take Yourself Seriously
“Not only did I gain so many real, tangible skills I’ll use again and again (Index cards! Research! A book proposal!), but what I really got from the Academy was an ability to take myself and my writing seriously—to see myself as someone whose story was worth sharing. The book I’ve written wouldn’t exist without my learning to see myself in that way.”
—Christy Tending, author of High Priestess of the Apocalypse: A Memoir of Disobedience and Sobriety
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Accessible and Easy Support
"I'm so grateful I found The Unexpected Shape Academy! Not only have I loved Esmé from afar, but I really wanted a space where I could have easy access to writing resources including 'how-tos', feedback, and a writing space. TUS offers all this and more, and I feel so relieved than when I have a question, I have an easy place to turn to!"
—Nisha Mody, Liberatory Life Coach, Facilitator, and Writer
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Mentorship with Grace
“Her steady, generous wisdom filled the distance on our phone calls, Zoom meetings, and voicemails, and her kindness, sense of beauty and joy, and her practical savvy were so valuable to me as I moved through novel drafts and the initial steps of publishing. With every question I brought to her, Esmé met me with support, understanding, and grace.”
—Gina Balibrera, author of The Volcano Daughters
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Diverse Perspectives on Writing
"I’m so glad you have created a space that will foster writers to write and publish diverse and interesting stories. I’ve been moved and delighted by the diverse group of guest speakers and fellow students. So many of the writing workshops and conferences I’ve attended in the past have been very much from a white person’s perspective, whether that was intended or not."
—V.M.
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Approachable Expert Guidance
“I find [Esmé] to be a smart and insightful teacher and appreciate her teaching style, which is patient, approachable, and calm.”
—Sara V.
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Building Practical Skills
"Learning more about how to develop my non-fiction writing has been extremely helpful in strengthening my foundation of writing skills and techniques."
—Ma’ayan Simon
Register before May 21 for an early bird bonus.
Your First Five pages workbook
Master the art of crafting compelling memoir openings that hook readers from the start. This practical workbook guides writers living with limitations to establish voice, identify the perfect entry point, and create an irresistible doorway to\ your story—all while honoring your energy boundaries and unique perspective.
FAQs
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Not at all. Because the program is structured with Pre-Writing, Writing, and Publishing in mind, it’s actually wonderful to come to the Academy with a blank slate. As long as you’re enthusiastic about writing and want to learn, you’ll be a-okay.
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The Unexpected Shape Writing Academy is designed for and created by chronically ill/disabled people. This means that we've tried to build in flexibility whenever possible. Everything included in the can be watched or listened to via recording—even the guest lecturers—to allow for doing things from bed, at any time of the day. If you wish to take one or two classes per month, the Writing Intensive will take you three or four hours per month (plus however much time you wish to spend in the community and on your writing).
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Good question! The Academy is a solid curriculum for people interested in writing personal nonfiction, especially if you're looking for a self-paced program that works with your limitation, not against. Within the Academy, you'll be learning the most important lessons I took away from my time in an MFA program, and everything I thought was missing from it. Though I cannot tell you if this is going to be the perfect fit for you, I can say that if you're here, looking for more support as a nonfiction writer, then you already have your answer.
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Yes! For more information about scholarships, please click here.
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You’ll be signing up to be a part of a three-month cohort from June to August. After that, you can sign up to be a part of a month-to-month student, or join the Alumni Club (which you’ll learn more about as you finish up your three months).
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If you’re interested in writing articles and essays, the Academy is perfect for you. There’s a class specifically about writing a book (the book proposal class), but there’s no reason to assume that you have to write one. The sales page does talk about writing books. That’s mostly because so many of our students are interested in writing books as their end product—but again, not all of them are writing books, and many are interested in writing essays and articles alone.
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I understand that investing in something like this can feel scary. Part of my big mission with the Academy is to make education, tools and resources around writing memoir and personal nonfiction more accessible. Unlike writing workshops that focus on one piece of the puzzle at a time (meaning you’re still always left searching for the next steps), the Academy has been designed to cover three different foundational aspects of writing memoir and personal nonfiction so you can truly get started on your book-writing journey.
Any investment comes with fear and risk—the question you have to ask yourself is, “Will this investment get me closer to where I want to be?” If the answer is yes, then I can’t wait to see you inside the Academy. -
First things first: Please realize that these kinds of concerns are completely normal. These are the same worries that people writing memoir have had since writing memoir first became a thing. This is why, in each workshop, we talk about these issues (especially in the Ethics in Personal Nonfiction workshop). Plus, in our community, you can share your concerns, ask your questions and get support from people dealing with the exact same worries and fears as you. That’s one of the biggest benefits of the Academy—you’re not only getting access to the workshops, you’re getting access to a community. People you can lean on, share things with, celebrate with. People who get what you’re going through.
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If you want continued support after completing your three-month cohort program, you can also join our Alumni Club, an optional next step for deeper engagement.
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Still on the fence?
I understand that hesitation. Starting something new—especially something as intimate as a writing practice—can feel like stepping off a cliff into the unknown. Perhaps you're wondering if this is truly the right time, if your story matters enough, or if you have what it takes to bring your memoir to life.
Here's what I know: your story, with all its complexity and nuance, deserves to be written. Not someday, not when conditions are perfect, but now. The Academy isn't about forcing yourself into someone else's rigid framework of productivity. It's about finding your way forward with intention, building a writing practice that honors who you actually are.
I've watched hundreds of writers transform their relationship with writing in this program—people who thought they couldn't possibly finish a memoir, who are now confidently putting words on the page. They didn't need to become different people. They simply needed the right guidance, community, and approach.
Trust that this can be different from your previous attempts. Trust that you can write your story, in your way, on your terms. I'll be there with you, every step of the way.
Eyes up; let’s go.
Do you have a question about the Academy that isn't addressed here? Email Esmé at info@esmewang.com. You can also DM Esmé on Instagram @esmewwang. I love hearing from you!
