Please NOTE that we do not currently have a full program scheduled, so enrollment is now closed. If you’ve signed up with us for FREE information we’ll keep you posted when new opportunities become available.

Are you ready to enroll in Literary Living?

You can enroll immediately or review the information below if you’re still not quite sure.

Enroll immediately.

Still not quite sure?

Do you need to review the 30-step process we use in the program?

Grab it here, (along with other detailed information).

And if you want to check out the comprehensive program description, including all the details about each module, how everything works, what you can expect, all the benefits, etc., you can review it here.

We can’t promise that your life will be perfect after three months with Literary Living.

But we can promise that your life will be more focused on your writing.

If, that is, you care enough about yourself as a writer to invest in three months of challenging work and self-discovery.

It won’t be simple, but it is doable.

And, if you apply yourself, you will change your life.

(And don’t forget, your decision to join is risk-free – try it out for 60 days!)

Enroll now.

So . . . Why Participate in the Literary Living Program?

In a nutshell, because . . .

. . by the end of the Literary Living program you will have the confidence, time, and resources to happily live your writing life in a way that is unique to you and well-balanced with the rest of your life.

That’s it!

I created Literary Living because seven years ago I made a commitment to myself. I wanted my life to be a literary one, focused on writing and the writing community.

Since then I have:

• Earned my MFA in two fantastic years at Antioch University Los Angeles;
• Sent out short stories for publication like clockwork;
• Published a few of those short stories in literary journals;
• Won a couple of awards, grants and scholarships;
• Attended a bunch of neat writing conferences (some of which gave me money to attend);
• Created a great writing space (also known as “The Shed” – that’s it in the photo below);
• Finished my first novel (time for an agent);
• Started my second novel;
• Been elected president of the board of trustees at Maine’s foremost literary organization;
• Met online every single month with three dear writing friends from Antioch (we’ve been doing it for 5 years now!);
• Made a great circle of literary friends here in Maine – we attend readings and events all the time;
• Written daily;
• Read daily; and
• Started this great venture (and adventure) called Literary Living.

Lest this sound like far too much to do for any one person, you should know that I also still have a 4-day-a-week day job. And I have a family . . . and dear friends . . . and great companion animals, all of whom are incredibly important to me. And, by the way, I like my sleep and I don’t like stress.

I take a 30-40 minute hike every day, too, and meditate and write in my journal most mornings.

Is my life perfect? No. But is it pretty darned great? Yes it is!

So I’ve spent the past year dissecting what it is I did over the past seven years to get to this point, and then I put everything I learned into Literary Living (and then some).

I’m excited to give you a chance to make your writing life pretty darned great, too.

Are you ready to jump in?

Don’t forget, you have the option to pay once right now (best price at $995) or incrementally over time (good for cash-flow at $179 per payment for 7 payments).

And if you don’t like the program after giving it the college try after 60 days you can get your money back.

Do you need to review the 30-step process we use in the program?

Grab the brief description here.

And if you want to check out the comprehensive program description again, including all the details about each module, how everything works, what you can expect, etc., you can review it here.

Ready to enroll? Do it now.

Still not too sure?

What’s the Point of the Program?

• To learn more about yourself in a way that will help you develop achievable goals for your writing life so you can be a satisfied writer.
• To join a new community of writers working together to keep each other on track.
• To work with tools and systems you can use for the rest of your writing life to keep you moving forward in a satisfying way.
• To be a confident writer who enjoys a fulfilling and creative writing life.

Doesn’t sound too bad, does it?

By the time you complete the Literary Living program you’ll have:

• A SYSTEM for creating the writing life that works best for you;
• RESOURCES for tackling the more common hurdles you face as a writer: self-doubt & fear, lack of consistency, balance with the rest of your life, lack of time, inadequate space;
• TOOLS for identifying goals and staying on track for achieving them;
• COMMUNITY for ongoing support and inspiration;
• FRIENDS – your core group to whom you can hold yourself accountable for achieving your writing goals; and
• PERMISSION to be who you are and succeed as a writer.

What’s Unique about the Literary Living Program and Community?

Small group for building true community – You’ll work closely with a small group of other writers throughout the 3-month program and you won’t be just one amidst a sea of participants in a large forum-type environment.

The curriculum is designed for maximum learning and collaboration to foster relationships, and learning that truly “sticks” – the small group and pair assignments will ensure deep learning that goes far beyond what you can learn on your own – this curriculum is based on the principles and practices of Dialogue Education, a proven system for exciting learning that goes beyond the “classroom” by transferring what you learn into your real life.

The Literary Living online community takes place in one of the best online learning environments around – we want you to focus on yourself and your writing, not on technology. A bit of orientation, comprehensive support documentation and you’re good to go.

The learning is self-directed, giving you maximum flexibility to learn whenever it’s best for you.

You will develop your own, unique Literary Living Writing Contract – this is not a one-size-fits-all solution but is instead unique to you . . . to your personality, your style, your circumstances, your dreams.

You’ll finish with a sustainable, concrete plan to achieve your writing goals.

The other thing we’re really excited about is the new book by Dawna Kemper about the writer’s personality type, Write for Your Type: Understanding the Dynamics of Personality Type to Enrich Your Literary Life. This book was researched and written with you in mind, and was created specifically for the Literary Living program.

Why did we do that? Because we did a lot of research when we started thinking about Literary Living.

And we found out that no other university-style course is focused specifically on how an individual can live the writing life he or she wants.

There’s plenty out there on craft and publishing and the business of writing and finding an agent and all of that.

But there isn’t anything about identifying exactly what will work for an individual.

And that’s what we’re all about: you!

We want you to achieve what you want most out of your writing life.

We want you to get where you want to go.

So we wrote the book on the writer’s personality. And we built the Literary Living program.

Feel like joining?

Enroll Right Now!

If you’re still undecided, take a look at some of the testimonials from people who have participated in the program, who know me, or have already gotten something out of the free materials we’ve shared at Literary Living.

“Of all the courses I have taken or the books I have read, Literary Living reigns at the top of the list in huge letters. It has exceeded my expectations in helping me recover from “the slump.” The horrifying devastating slump. I now know I am worthy to be a writer. I have permission. I now know that I must have things a certain way to facilitate my work. I have made my writing space conducive to my new writerly personality. I now know that meditating and fighting my hungry ghosts are a necessary part of a writer’s life. Don’t think about them and reap the consequences.

I love the new learning tool Write for Your Type. Things that you wouldn’t necessarily want the world to know about yourself, I must know.

The most important thing I’ve learned is that it is possible for me to meet the troll at the desk each day and accomplish something. (She now wants to be friends.) I find I can also work in other places, such as the living room, nearly impossible before the course.” ~ Joan Noble

“Literary Living has provided the structure I needed for my fiction writing. As first a business writer, then a journalist, I was used to writing to deadlines. When I turned to writing fiction, I struggled to write regularly and never finished anything. Now, I am writing every day. What I found most effective about the program are the support of the Literary Living writing community, being accountable for my new fiction writing habit, and the insights I have gained about myself as a writer. The materials have all been useful and pertinent, as have the assignments. I will be using what I have learned, including how to create new, lasting habits, for many years.” ~ Erica Hansen

“All the books and papers in this course build a scaffold, a step-by-step motivator towards daily practice. It influenced my behavior, a new consciousness of awareness towards a deeper desire to express myself in stories and poetry. Accountability was another important stepping stone in my progress to overcome procrastination. On a Discussion page classmates would check up on one another, and encourage each colleague to share their progress. What I liked best, there was no time pressure; each person learned according to their own ability. Studying the Personality Type from Keirsey.com, helped me analyze what makes me tick, strengths and weak points. I am still trying to process all this great information. I believe I will feel the camaraderie between the course participants, and the benefits of this Literary Living experience long after it’s over. A heartfelt thank you to the founder, Joan Dempsey.” ~ Annemarie Timmons

“I’ve read, digested, and loved the material you sent. Sometimes what we need simply finds its way to us. Please know that you have made a difference to this one long time, committed writer who had felt she had lost her way for the past year or so. I thank you.” ~ Janet Albright

“I just signed up and received your free e-book, “The Power of Deliberate Thinking: 5 Strategies for Staying at the Writing Desk (Despite Your Self-Doubts).” I immediately read the book and just finished it. I must tell you that as a psychotherapist and sport psychology consultant – I’ve used the main concepts of the power of deliberate thinking, visualization, reframing, etc in my work with clients to great success. However, for myself, a merciless perfectionist who finds plenty of excuses to avoid writing – and plagued with self-doubt – I keep telling myself I need to “get over it” and “get to it” – things I would never say to my clients. This crazy and distressful habit of mine sent me looking for an external positive push and thanks to Hope Clark, (a fabulous writer, too) – I found you and your e-book. Woo hoo. Just what I needed! Thank you.” ~ Becky Clark, PhD, LCSW

“Just want to thank you for your free e-book on Deliberate Thinking. I’m an unpublished author, but I KNOW I am a writer at heart. Your e-book adds encouragement to my dream of writing, which I’ve had since the second grade. I have written many things during my life for people, in jobs, for myself, etc. Just today, I was telling a cousin about an idea for a children’s book, asking him about some details regarding our grandmother on whom the story is based. After reading your e-book, I’ve decided to draw up some plans to get past the doubt and procrastination. One very motivating factor is to spell out for myself what were the factors in my most rewarding piece of writing. That particular piece was writing and presenting my mother’s eulogy. (I knocked the socks off family, relatives, friends and even some strangers.) I don’t mean it arrogantly, it’s just that when strangers and family friends mentioned it, even months later, that it was powerful and made them think, laugh and cry; well, then, I knew my writing had impact . . .

Anyway, again THANK YOU for your free e-book. The ideas, strategies and encouragement are very motivating to me! . . . Thank you for your heartfelt efforts and hard work!” ~ Melanie Wilkison

“Working with Joan Dempsey is a dream for any writer or aspiring author. She helps clarify your prose without taking away your ‘voice’ and coaches you to be the best writer you can. Her sharp editorial eye and excellent guidance brings new depth to the writing process and final product.

When I thought I couldn’t go on, Joan helped me see ways to further enrich my writing and helped me achieve my goal.” ~ Dr. Pardis Mahdavi

“I’ve known Joan Dempsey for over a quarter-century now, and I trust her absolutely — as a writer and as a friend. She’s one of the very few people to whom I always turn to read my work in its early stages, because she approaches writing not only with a rare intelligence and insight, but also with a tremendous compassion and integrity. She cares deeply not only about writing but also about writers, understanding from her own experience the dedication, commitment, and sacrifice that’s required to craft a writing life for oneself, and also the real joy that can arise from doing so.

Smart, supportive, funny, literary through and through: I can’t imagine anyone better than Joan at fostering a community of writers.” ~ Matthew Goodman

“A few years ago, when I was well into my forties, I returned to college to pursue a master of creative writing degree. Joan Dempsey, as part of the same intensive program, immediately demonstrated natural leadership abilities that helped our cohort group (or class) bond together in an exceptional fashion. For example, even before any of us attended our first seminar together in Southern California, Joan took the initiative for everyone to meet on-line and begin a collective dialogue that would last for years. She exhibited a clear love for the art of writing and, significantly, a special empathy for those seeking the same writerly path. Again, Joan’s passion and respect was a key catalyst in creating the special synergy of our group. Of the two dozen of us who received our MFA in Creative Writing together, Joan and I were the only two who continued on to earn a Post MFA Certificate in the Teaching of Creative Writing. Beyond her knowledge of craft, Joan Dempsey has a rare combination of attributes as an innovator and leader. She is one of those rare people who not only lives her passion but has the special ability to help others give substance to their voice and vision.” ~ Scott MacFarlane

We hope by now you have a sense of our seriousness of purpose in putting together Literary Living.

This is a sales page, of course, and we are running a business. But we’ve also put our heart and soul (and not a little effort) into developing this program and we’re excited about sharing it with you.

If you’re a serious writer and are ready to invest – or reinvest – in your writing life, do join us.

Get the best price and just make one payment of $995.

Or enjoy the convenience of monthly payments over the next 7 months for just $179 per payment.

Enroll Now.

If you’re still on the fence and want to review some of the materials you’ve already received, here they are:

The Power of Deliberate Thinking: 5 Strategies for Staying at the Writing Desk (Despite Your Self-Doubts)

60 Tips & Tools for Staying at the Writing Desk

Audio Interview: Joan Dempsey Talks with Leo Babauta

Alison Acheson Interviews Joan Dempsey

4 Reasons to Appreciate Your Self Doubts

Okay, so that about wraps up the review.

What do you say to investing in yourself?

Get your writing life on track – or back on track – and sign up to participate in Literary Living.

Start your summer off right – sign up now for a new beginning, starting on June 10, 2011.

For each of the payment options below you’ll have the choice of using either your credit card or a PayPal account (if you have one). When you click on your choice of payment options below you’ll be taken to the PayPal website.

Please note that you’ll see PayPal log-in or sign-up information – if you’re paying by credit card simply ignore that information and look for the “pay by credit card” link and then fill in your information when prompted. In short, if you don’t have a PayPal account just ignore any PayPal log-in or sign up boxes.

If you have any difficulty please contact us and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Best Value

One-time payment right now of $995 US

Pay in Installments

$179 US now and $179 US each month for the next 6 months

I look forward to getting to know you and your writing very soon!

Warm regards,
Joan Dempsey

Literary Living