Katharine Coldiron is the author of Ceremonials, Junk Film, Wire Mothers, and Out There in the Dark. Her work as a book critic has appeared in the Washington Post, the Guardian, NPR, and many other places; as an essayist, in Ms., Conjunctions, Booth, and elsewhere. Find her at kcoldiron.com. 


Letting Go of Perfectionism with Katherine Coldiron

We all want our writing to be perfect. No, wait, that’s a dumb way to start this summary.

Maybe we don’t all want that. Maybe “perfect” means different things to different people.

Anyway, “we all want” statements are an overused way to begin a sales pitch.

Hang on, am I writing a summary or a sales pitch?

Should I read more sales pitches as exemplars for what I’m writing? Oh, jeez, who uses a word like “exemplar”? Could I be more pretentious? Let me just start over.

This course will help you develop strategies to shout down your inner perfectionist and work, creatively, without fear - fear of failure, fear of success, fear of doing something or anything wrong. If you don’t want to do something unless you do it flawlessly, this class is for you.

Asynchronous with no video component, writers of all levels and stripes are welcome.

We’ll read, write, and do exercises for the mind, body, spirit, and creative heart.

Let Go of Perfectionism with Katherine Coldiron Let Go of Perfectionism with Katherine Coldiron Let Go of Perfectionism with Katherine Coldiron Let Go of Perfectionism with Katherine Coldiron
Let Go of Perfectionism with Katherine Coldiron
from $300.00

WHEN and HOW: Asynchronous with no video component, writers of all levels and stripes are welcome.

DATES: Four weeks, asynchronously beginning in September 2025.

ACCESS: We are dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and empowering stories that truly reflect the diversity of our world. To uplift those most impacted by dominant culture, this course is held for folx identifying as BIPOC only with the goal of holding a safe space.

Cost: $300-500 (sliding scale—please read below)

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Suggested Cost:

To create intentional space and support for BIPOC attendees, we ask that you pay in light of your financial privileges and with a JEDI spirit (!)

Here are a few guidelines:

$500 – you have reliable sources of food, shelter, and transportation; are employed or financially secure; have regular access to healthcare and savings; can spend recreationally at your discretion (e.g. enjoy a concert, new clothes, a great meal). Paying the full amount also means you are able to support a BIPOC with limited resources who would like to join this course.

$400– you have debt that sometimes compromises stability with food, shelter, and/or transportation; are employed; have some access to healthcare and savings; can spend recreationally.

$300 – you are under- or unemployed and/or for other reasons (e.g. healthcare, shelter expenses), you have very limited resources.

Contact us if you cannot afford to pay full price but would like to discuss payment plans, work-exchange/trade opportunities, or other options.