Tamara Dean
Tamara Dean is the author of Shelter and Storm: At Home in the Driftless, an essay collection forthcoming in 2025 from University of Minnesota Press, and other books. Her stories and essays have appeared in The American Scholar, Creative Nonfiction, The Georgia Review, The Guardian, One Story, Orion, The Southern Review, and elsewhere. Her essay “Safer Than Childbirth” received a special mention in the Pushcart Prize XLVIII: Best of the Small Presses anthology, and “Slow Blues” was a 2021 National Magazine Award finalist. She earned an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has received fellowships from Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, Mesa Refuge, and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. More at www.tamaradean.media.
Student Feedback for Tamara
Every course I’ve taken with Tamara Dean has been invaluable to my writing journey, and this one was no exception. I love the way she talks about writing! It’s both craft-centered and inspirational. “Do the work!” AND “This is why we do the work.” Jennifer Green
Each time I take a course with Tamara Dean, I’m taken by her ability to deliver on the offering of the class and then some. She speaks with authority and clarity and presents well-developed, directly applicable exercises and resource material. And her interest in participants’ growth is obvious. Holly Starley
It was an honor to spend time with such a committed and earnest group of writers. The discussions were great. Tamara Dean is fabulous. Well read, full of information, organized and encouraging. The best. Victoria Kohl
Tamara Dean’s Writing with Consistency and Courage workshop transformed my writing practice. Her approach is both compassionate and practical, providing the tools I needed to stay motivated and overcome self-doubt. Tamara created a supportive and inspiring environment where I felt empowered to take risks and push my boundaries as a writer. The strategies Tamara shared have become an essential part of my daily routine, and her genuine encouragement helped me find the courage to write more boldly. This workshop is a must for any writer looking to build a consistent writing habit and embrace their creative voice with confidence. Christina Strasbourg
Just like a flash piece, this class packed in everything I needed to learn in four weeks. Suzanne O’Brien
The class was encouraging. Tamara has a very professional, comforting, calm way about her. Her voice is amazing. :) I most appreciated the tips on keeping the writing going, especially the ones she shared on the handout, and some of the metaphors/visualizations about writing that she and other participants shared. Molly Preston
This short course really helped me. I was stuck and feeling low, and the class gave me some useful strategies for getting unstuck. I’m feeling more positive and enthusiastic about my writing project now. I started working on it again. Anna Moncovich
I am sure what I learned in this workshop will continue to help improve my writing… it opened up so many new ideas for me. Valuable workshop. Outstanding, responsive instructor. Thanks again, writers.com for offering such engaging classes. Carol Schoder
This short course really helped me. I was stuck and feeling low, and the class gave me some useful strategies for getting unstuck. I’m feeling more positive and enthusiastic about my writing project now. I started working on it again. Anna Moncovich
Tamara was well organized and kept what was a fairly large class on task so that we completed all the planned assignments without feeling rushed or shortchanged. She had excellent suggestions for writing new materials as well as revising it, and offered several peripheral articles. Her handouts were all clear and welcome reminders of the material covered in the class time. Cari Ferraro
Tamara organized a phenomenal workshop. By discussing the topics during, then implementing their main points through practice during the sessions, as well as for homework between, I noticed an uptick in my writing. By looking at a project I’ve toggled for nearly two years and touching it from different angles per Tamara’s guidance, I had several breakthroughs. I credit Tamara and her workshop for this success. Liz W.
Inspiring, encouraging and challenging. Tamara’s classes create a space that gives you courage to explore deeply, elevate your work and write from the heart. Suzanne O.
In a caring and respectful way, Tamara provides an enjoyable deep dive into the craft of writing. Her workshops are clear enough to be useful for beginners and substantial and intelligent for seasoned writers. I had numerous revelations taking me to a deeper understanding of what I am trying to write. Ursula R.
It’s been said; When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Tamara’s clear and concise writing advice was a godsend. Her ability to find and focus on a key factor that can change your essay from an everyday humdrum one to an extraordinary one is nothing short of a miracle. More so, is Tamara’s talent to encourage us to “Get it all down,” to keep writing despite the giddy-ups of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Then, and only then, she’ll remind us, show us, and lead us..to go back rewrite, revise, and review until our masterpiece appears. Jane S.
