Explore memoir-writing from start to finish and learn from 25+ skilled memoirists and writing teachers - with sessions on outlining, overcoming writer’s block, craft, revision, promotion and more
Join us online, September 30th - October 3rd
for current and aspiring memoir-writers
Meet your host
Hi! I’m Janelle Hardy.
I’m a writer, somatic (body) healer and transformational memoir-writing teacher.
I’ve been on a writing path since I was a child, and had my first byline in the Yukon News when I was 17, with a monthly column on life as a Canadian high school exchange student in Japan.
I’ve been on healing path since I was 20, seeking to find relief from extreme shyness, loneliness, chronic fatigue, intense tooth grinding and tummy troubles.
I currently combine writing and somatic (body) healing because I’ve found transcendent relief through this combination.
I’m the the creator/teacher of a transformational memoir-writing course called The Art of Personal Mythmaking, as well as the host of the online Healing Through Writing Festival, Stories From the Body Writing Challenge and the Memoir Body, Healing Story Podcast.
All of which is to say - you’re in good hands with me :-)
I care deeply about the people I serve.
I trust this work, I trust my training and experience, and I trust the incredible lineup of skilled (and kind) memoirists and writing teachers you’ll hear from during the Dirty Messy Alive: Embodied Memoir-Writing Workshop Series.
Most of all, I trust you and your desire to tell your stories. To get dirty, messy and alive!
What to expect
When and Where
The Dirty Messy Alive: Embodied Memoir-Writing Workshop Series will run from September 30th - October 3rd, with a variety of presentations to choose from each day. This event is entirely virtual, so you’ll be able to attend from anywhere in the world with internet access.
Sessions with Skilled Memoirists and Writing Teachers
Attend workshops and presentations from our lineup of 25+ presenters, writing teachers, and memoirists, with wide-ranging sessions such as outline your memoir using fairy tale and myth as your guide, writing from the body, the art of auto-ethnography, and more. Your free ticket includes access to each presentation during the four days of the summit.
Private Festival Community
You’ll also have access to our private online community of creative, big-hearted, growth-oriented writers just like you. Tap into the collective synergy of kindred spirits on a memoir-writing path! This is where you’ll be able to connect with the speakers and other attendees before and during the event.
Chances to Win
You’ll also have a chance to win prizes by showing up and participating throughout the summit. Be sure to keep an eye out for your BINGO card and come hang out with us in the online community for chances to win prizes, to be announced.
Apply for a Scholarship Spot
For my transformational memoir-writing course, The Art of Personal Mythmaking, which uses body-based, trauma-informed writing prompts, stories like fairy tale and myth, and themed modules to support people who want to heal from the difficult parts of their life stories as they write their memoirs.
Upgrade for a Supportive Experience
After registering, you’ll also have the chance to upgrade to the All Access Pass which includes ongoing access to the presentations after the summit wraps up, premium bonuses from our speakers, and more! You’ll get all the details (and a special offer) after grabbing your free ticket!
Dirty, Messy, Alive was created with your memoir-writing goals in mind.
It’s a workshop and presentation series that trusts you.
That trusts your discernment, your hunger for growth, the wisdom of your body, your creativity and your stories
It’s a workshop series, not just about memoir-writing, but also about exploration: inviting in confidence, depth and creative, alternative forms of memoir.
The Dirty Messy Alive: Embodied Memoir-Writing Workshop Series was specifically created for sensitive, thoughtful, creative writers like you. People who:
love writing and other creative practices
have a tremendous desire to write their life experiences into stories, and are struggling to get it done
are hungry to grow beyond what their cultures, societies and families have told them they are
feel the deep and potent promise of a transformative process (aka memoir-writing)
have stories that have been held inside too tightly for far too long
don’t want to do all their writing alone
This event is about giving you embodied, experiential practices and ways to write your personal stories.