Author Services

When her schedule allows, Gayle offers freelance mentoring and editing to help you develop and polish your writing in any genre or form. She also takes on the occasional ghost writing project. For rates and availability, please use the Contact page.


Testimonials

Gayle Brandeis offers a wellspring of curious, passionate, and wise instruction...Brandeis has made my work more meaningful and full-bodied by the critical and nurturing care she provides in mentorship.

—Sara Paye

I had the incredible opportunity of doing a multi-genre MFA workshop with Gayle in Ireland. Her remarkable breadth of knowledge across genres allowed her to provide outstanding attention and insight to each student and their work. Not only is she a mind-blowing instructor, but she also infuses her heart into each conversation. Working with her elevated my work to the next level, and it also widened my own empathy. She’s a dream to learn from.

—Christa Martin

I had the good fortune to work with Gayle Brandeis while getting my MFA at Antioch University Los Angeles. I would not have finished my first published novel, Harrowgate without her encouraging words, thoughtful criticism and all around belief in my work as it was emerging on the page. I also had the privilege of going to a number of her lecture workshops. Every single time we'd do an exercise in class, it would make it into a finished manuscript. Whenever Gayle is instructing, leading or keeping company, creative work grows. I'd highly recommend her as a mentor who can help you get to your best work.

—Kate Maruyama

Gayle Brandeis is simply an amazing teacher, offering a combination of insightful comments, referrals to important resources, and overwhelming encouragement.

—Romalyn Tilghman

Gayle Brandeis brings a quiet fierceness to her writing and her teaching. As her student, you will find that she adds to this a laser focus on your words. She will push you to probe deeper, touch and feel the interior and exterior of the world you’re writing.

—Robyn Murphy

Being in a writing workshop with world-class poet and bestselling writer Gayle Brandeis is a downright revelatory experience. Not only is she a font of powerful and applicable wisdom garnered from years of writing extraordinary works in a multiplicity of genres at a very high level, she imparts her wisdom with so much tenderness and potency. I have never felt so supported by a writing mentor before or since. But in addition to feeling warmly supported, equally importantly, my writing improved considerably as well. She is one of the greats.

— Rachel Kann, How to Bless the New Moon

Gayle Brandeis is the best mentor you could hope to have. She cuts to the root, helping you to shed what doesn’t work and strengthen all the things that does. She is patient with you and takes time getting to know your work and making it better in the process.

—Vincent Bernard

There is no egotism in her mentoring, rather it's full of heart, encouragement when it's warranted, and honest feedback with no judgement. I feel blessed to have had her experience and talent to learn from, and learn I certainly did.

—Alicia Brown

Gayle mentored me through one of my semesters earning my MFA. I was in the final stages of a grueling and tremendous novel and Gayle provided steady, supportive yet firm guidance and critique in the crafting of this novel. Her fine balance between providing constructive feedback and offering a sensitivity towards the vulnerability of being taught, created a robust atmosphere for growth. But what is most remarkable about Gayle, is that her support does not end after her formal teaching does. Over ten years later and Gayle is still a source of insight and an ever-available resource. She is still a cheerleader, always championing her previous and current students. To this day, it is her voice that still shadows me as I draft and edit. I am so grateful to have been privileged enough to be her student.

—Talya Jankovits

Gayle’s love of both instruction AND student is obvious; she provides encouragement and suggestion for improvement in the same gentle breath.

—Pam Anderson

Gayle Brandeis is one of the best living writing teachers on earth today. Her writing and teaching practice are rooted in interdisciplinarity, activism, and compassion. Brandeis is a multidisciplinary writer and editor who confidently works across genres in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. For this alone, she has earned the title “Maverick.” The creative flexibility evident in her multidisciplinary publishing record, gains supernova powers when combined with her commitments to social justice, and compassionate teaching. Brandeis is a beloved mentor and role model for many. She reads and responds to student writing with respect for their lives and voices. She conscientiously opens doors for new writers to literary worlds. Brandeis transforms literary spaces through her own fervent storytelling, activism, and compassionate teaching. Her pedagogy prioritizes students’ lives and voices so they can activate the power in their own pens.

—Amy Shimshon-Santo