Testimonials and Measurable Successes:

Writers I have worked with and coached have been published in the New York Times, Creative Nonfiction, Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today, McSweeney’s, Longreads, Catapult, Time.com, NBCThink, Slate, Newsweek, Huff Post “Personal,” Brevity, WBUR’s Cognoscenti, Dame, Newsweek, Literary Mama, HerStry, Salon, Boston Globe, Boston Globe Magazine, Yale Review, Christian Science Monitor, The Rumpus, Brain Child, Hippocampus, Bustle, Purple Clover, Witness and many other publications. They have published works of book-length memoir, journalism, narrative nonfiction, and essay collections.

“Ethan's sharp insights and on-point feedback have taken my writing to another level. I've had more success with my submissions this year after revising with Ethan's substantive comments in mind. I give Ethan my highest recommendation.”—Janay Garrick, published in Fourth Genre and Newsweek

“I went to work with Ethan because I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the project I wanted to take on. Ethan was flexible in accommodating my specific needs as a writer, and direct in helping me to understand and break down the pieces of work ahead of me. After years of procrastination I have a strong working draft in hand, well on its way to being polished."—Naomi Garland, MD, MPH

“[I] find great value in your thought-provoking and incisive comments.”—A writer

“As a manuscript consultant, Ethan Gilsdorf made an invaluable analysis of my memoir draft.”—Anne M.

“I must say how incredibly insightful you are! You have read into my writing more than I had fully known was there and have offered practical, clearly correct suggestions about revision.”—Barbara F.

“Your remarks are insightful and additive, but also compassionate and very clearly the product of deep engagement with the draft. I felt as though you "got" what I was trying to do, and your comments will clearly help me better succeed at that goal. Thank you for this gift; I find it almost indescribably meaningful.”—A writer

“Ethan is a patient and insightful editor. He sees the big picture while also making astute line edit suggestions and helping us through the dreaded but necessary ‘killing of our darlings’ to create a better piece of writing.”—Tina Morris, author of the memoir Return to the Sky: The Surprising Story of How One Woman and Seven Eaglets Helped Restore the Bald Eagle

“I cannot thank you enough for the craft advice, detailed feedback, and the endless resources you've provided.”— Ellen C.

"Your feedback has been insightful, pedagogical at times, quite balanced and sensitive, and, just overall super helpful. It's blown open my revision process in a way I didn't see coming.  Your suggestions about the actual writing—both at the more micro level and the global levels—have really helped me come to better understand the genre of memoir and the craft of writing in new and deeper ways. Thank you for your read of and feedback on my writing—it's making a huge difference.”—Robert P.

“Thanks so much for your help with the piece. You helped me realize that the original vaguely-focused piece needed a center, and you pointed me to the passion in that draft, which I ran with. I'm grateful for your help.”—Mike M., published in WBUR’s Cognoscenti

“Ethan is a superb classroom teacher and writing coach and his support and knowledge have been invaluable to me. Thanks to him, my essays have been published in places such as NBCThink and HerStry. The learning doesn't stop in the classroom. As I continue to write, I hear Ethan's voice in my head, suggesting how my writing can be more focused and stronger.”—Ellen Braaten, child psychologist, author, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, published in NBCThink and HerStry

“Ethan Gilsdorf is a tremendous instructor who will meet each writer wherever they are and help them to harness their potential while filling their cup with interesting works and insights about the writing process and publishing industry.—Kendra Stanton Lee, Essay Incubator graduate, humanities professor in Boston, whose work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Huffington Post and others.

“Just a quick note to let you know how much I appreciate your help. … Your insight and perception are invaluable to me. Thank you so much for your knowledge and the way you share it with me. I love the way your set of eyes brings out things I didn't know were missing, your level of detail, and how you are helping me make the pieces more meaningful.”—Sonia A., memoirist