Leanna has mentored creative writers for more than 25 years. She taught creative writing and literature for seven years at John F. Kennedy University in California, and for eleven years at Bay Path University as director of the MFA in Creative Nonfiction and professor of creative writing. She is known for a supportive approach that helps aspiring and experienced writers overcome blocks, discover their unique voice, and fulfill their deepest creative potential. Leanna currently works with a small number of private students.

To inquire about private sessions or small group instruction, please visit her Contact page.

Testimonials

"Leanna James Blackwell’s feedback is pure gold. She is generous, compassionate, rigorous and wise. I have been lucky enough to have had her read my work for the past 30 years, and my work is all the better because of it. She takes so much care and time to read and reflect on a writer’s work, and I feel fortunate to have received insightful feedback from her. She is the BEST." - Susan Kiyu Ito, author of the National Book Critics Circle Award-nominated memoir, I Would Meet You Anywhere (Mad Creek Books)

“Leanna has a poet's sensitivity to language and an empath’s understanding of motivation and feeling. She is my ideal reader.” - Audrey Ferber, essayist, fiction writer, and instructor, San Francisco Writers Grotto; New York Times contributor

"Leanna is a powerful responder to stories. I remember her heartfelt, pointed questions about what was missing or unclear in my work and her passion about bringing my writing to a place of clarity and power. Meticulous as a close reader, she will help you get onto the page exactly want you meant to say. And if need be, she will carry you beyond your self-doubt and fear." - Wendy Patrice Williams, author of the memoir Autobiography of a Sea Creature (University of California Health Humanities Press)

"Leanna is not simply skilled in helping writers with their craft, she pays great attention to individuals and their unique goals, offering personalized attention and coaching. She manages to nudge writers toward their best work without making them feel criticized; her critiques are inspiring gifts. Leanna not only made me believe that my story was worthy of telling, she provided essential tools and feedback that helped me complete a full manuscript, ready to submit to publishers. I couldn't have arrived where I did without her compassionate and meaningful support." - Anne Pinkerton, author of Were You Close? a sister's quest to know the brother she lost (Vine Leaves Press)

"Leanna’s teaching is a perfect balance of editor and friend, with a dash of therapist, as needed.  By the time I was a student in her two-semester creative nonfiction course for my MFA, I’d been teaching academic writing for a long time. Still, Leanna’s instruction pushed me to use language more skillfully. And her insights helped me tell my story with more depth and truth. She’s one of the very best teachers I’ve known." - Kim Livingston, author of the family memoir Walks Like a Duck (TouchPoint Press)

"I had the great good luck of learning from Leanna James Blackwell when I was both a student writer and a student teacher. Her heart-forward approach to mentorship was always on display, whether she was sharing feedback on a personal essay I’d written, critiquing a lesson plan I’d designed, or providing feedback after a teaching session. Since I’m also a fan of Leanna’s essays and plays, I can say for certain that I’ve honed my skills with one our very best practitioners." - Loree Griffin Burns, author of eight science books for children including Extreme Birdwatching, One Long Line, and Honeybee Rescue (Clarion Books/Harper Collins/HMH)

"Leanna is an inspiring teacher with a knack for helping you find the heart of your own story, especially when you might be writing around it. Beyond the strong, practical craft advice and feedback she could always be counted on for, her encouragement and belief in the capacity of each of her students have a way of motivating you to create your best writing. I consider myself lucky to have been a part of her classes." - Brad Snyder, writer, humorist, New York Times, HuffPost, Hippocampus contributor

Leanna is an extraordinary teacher. She creates a learning environment where students feel celebrated for their words on the page. Leanna leads with her soul, abundant joy infused with positivity and hope. She is curious and incisive in her writing feedback, kind and penetrating remarks which left me with a deepening sense of myself as a writer. Throughout the writing process, she has been a wise and trusted witness to my unfolding story.  - Peter Welch, MFA, Bay Path University, essayist and memoirist

*Professor Leanna James Blackwell is an amazing educator, mentor, and writer. My time with her helped me hone my skills, deepen my love for the craft, and better understand literary qualities. She also assigned readings that reflected everything I love in my favorite Black authors and everything I hoped my own writing could become. I learned how essential my voice is. It matters not only when I tell the stories of my community but also when I connect with the people in it. Working with Professor Blackwell reminded me that great teachers do more than develop writers. They nurture people. Her belief in me has stayed with me, (she still checks on me) and I continue to carry her lessons with gratitude, respect, and a deep sense of honor for her mentorship."-  Aprell May Munford, journalist, The Springfield Republican, MassLive