Meet Leslie Berliant, creator of the Shape Your Story Method.

I’m a journalist, published author and writing instructor guiding women to shape and share the stories only they can tell.

Ready to Write?
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Affiliations

Logo for Oneonta Literary Festival featuring stylized mountains and a flowing line

Does this sound familiar?

  • "I want to publish my work, but can’t seem to finish what I start."

  • "What I write is never quite as good as what’s in my head."

  • "I’m so busy with my career, but want to find the time and space to write."

  • "I always loved writing, but don’t think of myself as a writer."

  • "A teacher once said my writing wasn’t good enough, so I gave up on it."

What if you broke free of the rules you learned about "good" writing, got unstuck, and allowed the stories that live inside of you to take shape?

You've found the right place.

Group of women gathered around a dining table with notebooks, glasses, and flowers, engaged in conversation in a cozy, well-lit living room.

About Shape Your Story

The Shape Your Story Method guides professional and creative women to discover and express their natural voice through the craft of writing, offering opportunities to take their writing to a larger stage through public readings and publishing their work.

More About Shape Your Story

  • "Do you have a story that’s aching to be born, and do you want to tell it the best way possible? If that’s what you want, go to Leslie."

    — Alison P.

  • "I found ways to write that I wouldn’t have on my own."

    —Jennifer F.

  • "My writing abilities were nurtured with your kind, loving presence."

    —Corinna R.

  • "Your approach is generous in the way you build community around the table."

    —Jennifer G.


Join a supportive community of writers on the same path.

Sign up for one of our group classes, workshops, or weekend retreats and start shaping your story now.

Offerings

Published Work

The Writrix Anthologies are collections of student work available for purchase.

All current students are offered opportunities to publish their work online.

Book cover titled 'Writrix Volume One Coloring with Words,' edited by Leslie Berliant, featuring a list of contributing authors.
Book cover titled 'Writrix Volume One Coloring with Words,' edited by Leslie Berliant, featuring a list of contributing authors.
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Stories of childhood and aging, poems that capture the experience of deep grieving, and essays about our relationship to a changing world.

Book cover titled "Writrix Volume Two Rays of Light," edited by Leslie Berliant. The background features a cloudy sky with a blue flower-like graphic in the top right corner. The cover lists contributors including Leslie Berliant, Laurel Carpenter, Evie Edman, Jennifer Fanning, Elianne Lieberman, Roberta Lieberman, Liz Linder, Joan Mante, Dana McDaniel, Corinna Raznikov, Anne Reingold, and Rochelle Seltzer.
Book cover titled "Writrix Volume Two Rays of Light," edited by Leslie Berliant. The background features a cloudy sky with a blue flower-like graphic in the top right corner. The cover lists contributors including Leslie Berliant, Laurel Carpenter, Evie Edman, Jennifer Fanning, Elianne Lieberman, Roberta Lieberman, Liz Linder, Joan Mante, Dana McDaniel, Corinna Raznikov, Anne Reingold, and Rochelle Seltzer.

Stories that detail the nuances of love and loss, tales of addiction, and the struggles of grappling with technology.

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Book cover for 'Writrix Volume Three Filling in the Margins', edited by Leslie Berliant, featuring works by Leslie Berliant, Laurel Carpenter, Evie Edman, Elianne Lieberman, Kristen Petersen, Corinna Raznikov, and Rochelle Seltzer, with a background of artwork and a blue floral logo.
Book cover for 'Writrix Volume Three Filling in the Margins', edited by Leslie Berliant, featuring works by Leslie Berliant, Laurel Carpenter, Evie Edman, Elianne Lieberman, Kristen Petersen, Corinna Raznikov, and Rochelle Seltzer, with a background of artwork and a blue floral logo.
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Stories and essays that explore hidden aspects of the self and others, and navigating changing social landscapes.

Book cover titled "Cassandra Speaks: Essays, Stories and Poems by Women Truth-Tellers" with a classical painting of a woman being supported by a man, featuring a statue of a female figure in the background. The cover highlights that all proceeds go to support abortion access and lists contributing authors, edited by Leslie Berliant.
Book cover titled "Cassandra Speaks: Essays, Stories and Poems by Women Truth-Tellers" with a classical painting of a woman being supported by a man, featuring a statue of a female figure in the background. The cover highlights that all proceeds go to support abortion access and lists contributing authors, edited by Leslie Berliant.
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Women writers express the pain, fear and rage at the outcome of the 2024 election. All proceeds will go to support abortion access.