Work with me

Through speaking, teaching, workshops, and selective editorial mentorship, I create spaces for thoughtful conversations about the stories we carry, the losses we experience, and the ways we make meaning from what happens to us — even when language fails us.

Speaking and Conversations

Bringing literary insight and lived experience to conversations about grief, loss, and meaning

I speak with organizations, communities, and groups seeking a deeper understanding of grief and the human experiences surrounding illness, caregiving, mortality, and change. My talks draw from my memoir, my writing on anticipatory grief, my decades working with writers and stories, 

  • Anticipatory Grief: Living With Loss Before the Loss

    Most people understand grief as something that begins after death. But for many people facing terminal illness, caregiving, or profound life change, grief begins much earlier. This conversation explores the complex territory where hope and grief coexist — where people are learning to live fully while also preparing for a future they never wanted.

    The Language of Grief: Finding Words for What Cannot Be Fixed

    Some experiences exceed ordinary language. Through stories, reflection, and literary exploration, this talk considers how we communicate during times of profound uncertainty and why naming our experiences can be the beginning of understanding them.

    Writing Through Loss: How We Transform Experience into Story

    For writers and readers interested in the relationship between grief and creativity, this talk explores the craft and courage required to write about experiences that are deeply personal.

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Writing and Workshops

Using writing to explore grief, memory, and transformation

Writing has always been one of the ways human beings make sense of what happens to us.

My workshops combine literary craft, reflective writing, and guided exploration to help participants approach difficult experiences with honesty, curiosity, and compassion.

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For writers exploring the stories that matter most

For more than thirty years, I have helped writers discover and shape meaningful stories.

My editorial work is especially suited to writers working on memoir and personal narrative involving grief, illness, caregiving, trauma, family history, and major life transitions.

Book Coaching and Editorial Consultation

    • deep attention to craft and structure 

    • respect for the emotional complexity of personal narrative 

    • sensitivity to the ethical questions involved in telling stories that include other people 

    • experience helping writers discover the larger meaning within their individual experiences 

    My training in grief support informs this work by helping me better understand the emotional terrain many writers enter when they revisit difficult experiences. I work with a limited number of writers each year, allowing for the depth and attention this kind of storytelling requires.

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People talk about me behind my back. Here are some of the things they say:

  • "'Extraordinary' seems an inadequate adjective to characterize the breadth and quality of work that Helene produces. She is a valued, trusted, and respected collaborator with the highest standards of professionalism and a commitment to achieve and exceed expectations for content, quality, and productivity."


    — PHILLIP H.

  • "Helene edited my memoir with skill and care. She set clear expectations, delivered on time, and priced her work fairly. Her feedback was honest and useful, and the book is better for her suggestions. She never pushed for additional services. I recommend her without hesitation."

    — PATRICIA J.

  • "Bringing Helene on was one of the best decisions of my career. She has a truly uncanny knack for understanding and communicating to distinct, sometimes opposite, audiences. She shares her knowledge and best practices freely so others can produce their own best work, and provides motivation and support at every step along the way."

    — HAROLD S.

  • “Helene is a writer and a supporter of writers. She offers her time and encouragement without hesitation and always with a no nonsense positive attitude. I know from experience she enjoys reaching out and sharing her gifts. That's why I chose to work with her.”

    — TIM Y.

  • "Helene is a great teacher. She is there to help every step of the way and is very good at motivating you. I would totally take another class with her!"

    — STUDENT

  • "Helene is like my own personal Joan Didion of editing. She is the best editor I've worked with and an excellent writer in her own right — an amazing combination. She knows just how to make my writing clearer, more concise, and more compelling. She is a joy to work with and I highly recommend her."

    — LORI P.

  • "Excellent class—very enjoyable and informative."

    — STUDENT

  • “Helene is a writer and a supporter of writers. She offers her time and encouragement without hesitation and always with a no nonsense positive attitude. I know from experience she enjoys reaching out and sharing her gifts. That's why I chose to work with her.”

    —TIM P.

  • "Thank you so very much for the investment of your time and for sharing your wealth of editorial compassion on this manuscript! This story has been critiqued at multiple writer's conferences, sample edits, friends, and of course, my favorite reviewer, Mom. No one else has drawn my attention to the fumbles and shortcomings you highlighted, so thank you sincerely."

    — DONNA S.

  • "I’ve engaged Helene’s editorial help many times over years on a variety of projects. The results are always professional, but accessible, pieces that never fail to hit their mark. I can’t imagine working with anyone else. She really cares about elevating my voice to the best it can be! I highly recommend utilizing her unique editorial eye and gift for raising the bar of what your words can achieve."

    —CHARLOTTE H.

  • “I finally found time to give your comments the attention and respect they deserve. In doing so I find that your written notes and side edits are extremely helpful, both those that point out what works and those that indicate what still needs refining. You were clear, specific and spoke to issues that resonated with me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your insights and comments. I am so grateful.”

    —MARGARET G.

  • “A heartfelt thank you for the editing work you did. I very much appreciate your close reading and thoughtful suggestions. I will certainly recommend your work to others.”

    —CATHY L.

  • “Grateful for your very helpful and generous comments. I so appreciate your enthusiasm, too. It’s clear you are a reader/editor who really helps.”

    —ELIZABETH B.

  • “Thank you for your excellent feedback. I appreciated your comments on the pages as a whole as well as the many line edits. Thank you again for the close reading of my work and thoughtful comments.”

    —DANA S.

  • “Thank you for your work and encouragement on my story. I've followed your recommendations from the timeline to pruning and am amazed at how much better it is. Thanks again for your excellent suggestions.”

    —TERRY T.

  • "I really enjoyed taking the class taught by Helene. I really learned how to push myself harder and to write better material."

    —STUDENT

  • "Helene is an overall excellent teacher who has so much knowledge."

    —STUDENT

  • "I need more classes like this one. Thanks, Helene."

    —STUDENT

  • "Great class and exactly what I needed to hear. The exercises were engaging and fun. Isn’t that what we all want anyway?"

    —STUDENT

  • "This course was one of the most helpful I have ever taken. Helene does an excellent job. She gives real world examples of how techniques we were learning would be used in the future."

    —STUDENT

  • "Active class participation by all indicates a high level of trust between students and teacher. This was a very active class!"

    —STUDENT

  • "Helene's vast knowledge and willingness to assist makes her an invaluable asset. Her feedback is always thoughtful and constructive, helping students grow and improve."

    —STUDENT

  • "Each class under Helene's instruction has offered me valuable insights to the craft of writing. I appreciate how closely she reads student work."

    —STUDENT

  • "Awesome teacher! I learned a ton."

    —STUDENT

  • "Helene is a really GREAT teacher. She has a gift for helping others believe in themselves."

    —STUDENT

  • "A good class should contain structure, allowing students to know exactly what’s expected; student involvement, encouraging new ideas; content, making use of all available class time to clear up points not understood; and teacher availability. I looked forward to this class every week! Helene’s style of teaching and approach made it always a pleasure. As a writer, the assignments forced me to stretch to new horizons. Helene made a lasting impression. Thank you!"

    —STUDENT

  • "I absolutely loved Helene. The class was fun and she provided a great amount of resources and thorough explanations. I can’t wait to take another course with her!"

    —STUDENT

  • "Taking this course has made me more confident in my writing and a stronger reader."

    —STUDENT

  • "Great course, great instruction. Totally worth my time. Two thumbs up!"

    —STUDENT

  • "Helene has a passion for teaching others to write well. I greatly enjoyed her class. I learned writing musts in her class that were previously not focused on in other English classes. I would recommend her highly to anyone!"

    —STUDENT

  • "She gave us real exercises to try in times of block and a way to read other writers."

    —STUDENT

  • "Very helpful class, and a teacher who stressed learning and helped me in my writing skills. Thank you!"

    —STUDENT

  • "Excellent class—very enjoyable and informative."

    —STUDENT

  • "Helene was great! Her energy is awesome and she was very helpful. I highly recommend!"

    —STUDENT

  • "I loved this class! Helene is such a keeper!"

    —STUDENT

  • "She was incredibly helpful and I learned a lot in the class. : ) Thumbs up to her!"

    —STUDENT

  • "I particularly enjoyed the writer-friendly emphasis."

    —STUDENT

  • "You have landed a jewel. Book her for more courses in creative writing!"

    —STUDENT

  • "I commend Helene for her straightforward and clear manner. Especially effective was the manner in which we learned how to write more effectively. We were not directed to a 'right way' but were given the freedom to explore our own capabilities. We need more teachers like Helene!"

    —STUDENT

  • "Helene is totally hands on, incredibly helpful and responsive."

    —STUDENT

  • "Helene is a challenging teacher, but diligent students will learn extremely valuable skills. She responds quickly to questions and gives valuable feedback."

    —STUDENT

  • "I appreciate all Helene has done and given me. At times I have hated this class with much vigor, but the challenges Helene gave me have made a great difference in my life. Thank you for taking the time to encourage me."

    —STUDENT

  • "Helene is fair and gives great feedback and overall advice."

    —STUDENT

  • "When Helene gave critical advice, she also gave praise. I always understood where I needed to improve and what I did well. She is very helpful and diligent!"

    —STUDENT

  • "I loved this class! Helene is such a keeper!"

    —STUDENT

Learn more about Helene’s Butterfly Blueprint® framework, tested and perfected over three decades with thousands of writers.