Writer, Educator, and Storyteller
As part of The Center for Fiction’s NEA Big Read programming for Toni Morrison’s Beloved, I’m honored to lead this free close reading and personal narrative writing workshop for students in grades 11 and 12.
Held on Saturdays from April 30th through May 21st, students will examine the various ways memory takes shape in the novel and then mine their memories to create personal narratives. Students should apply by April 13th here.
Click here to read my new Medium piece “That College Essay on A Million Little Things isn’t Getting You into Yale” to avoid the college essay writing mistake featured on the ABC show.
No, YOU Tell It! (noyoutellit.com) advocates for authentic personal stories by having storytellers trade true tales to speak each other’s words aloud, empowering voices on the page and stage.
Curious what that looks like? WATCH our recent “What I Know” show in celebration of Women’s History Month.
Tonight! 7 pm Eastern (4 pm Pacific), I’m a guest on the Calvin Cato Show is on RushTix where Calvin is interviewing me along with “Dora Milaje alternates” V Lince and Celeste Joseph Jennings!
Just go to https://rushtix.com/events/calvin/ to get a ticket to the livestream.
ONE WEEK! No, YOU Tell It! is back at Culture Lab, LIC. Help us celebrate Women’s History Month with these four storytellers swapping true tales inspired by the theme “What I Know.”
Thank everyone who was able to come out to No, YOU Tell It! “Anniversary Apart” the first show of our ten-year anniversary season!
It was truly incredible to hear those stories come to life and see such great performances from each of the storytellers. Click here for the show program.
Sad you missed? Good news! Watch the show here:
If you want, you can still make a $15 suggested tax-deductible donation in support of the series. Pay what and only if you can – more is always welcome! Click here to donate.
The first No, YOU Tell It! show of our 10-Year Anniversary Season is one week from today!!!
After two story meetings, these storytellers are readying their tales for a virtual tri-flip on 1/27. Come out and hear these stories based on the theme “Anniversary Apart”
PLUS you can win a donation in your name and a puppy named after you, supporting Friends with Four Paws by winning story trivia.
Register now: nyti-anniversary-apart.eventbrite.com
One of the things I’m most grateful for in 2021 was producing and hosting our first live No, YOU Tell It! show in two years at Culture Lab, LIC. Made possible, in part, by my #CityArtistCorps grant.
Preparations for the new year have begun and I am excited to get back out there in 2022 with more for our upcoming 10th anniversary!
CLICK HERE to help support our No, YOU Tell It! 2022: Ten-Year Anniversary Season. (Plus, your donation is tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, The Field.)
Wishing everyone peace and love at the end of this often trying year – looking forward to swapping more stories in 2022!
Kelly Jean
The Astoria Bookshop drop-in creative writing workshop continues every other Sunday via Zoom. Next up, 11/7 at 4 pm!
11/7: Beings + Things: Objects in the Time of Covid
Did the pandemic give an ordinary object new meaning?
How can that object tell the story of your state of being?
We’ll inspire some writing by sharing the “stuff” that got us through.
Click here to register.
11/21: Give Me a Deadline: Feedback Workshop
Have a piece or need a deadline to finish one? We will share screens and read each other’s drafts out loud and provide group feedback. 1800 words (or less).
Participation is limited to 4 people, so click here to register and grab your spot today.
Last call for early action/decision college essays. There are less than 2 weeks until the Nov 1 deadline – contact me today at kjfitzsimmons@gmail.com to schedule your sessions. Happy to answer questions!