Poetry Coaching

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Services Include

  • 1:1 MFA-quality mentorship

  • On-the-spot live feedback and editing tools

  • Guidance for submissions and publication

  • Personalized action plan and accountability

  • Manuscript compilation and editing 

  • MFA and residency application support

  • Marketing plan to build your audience

  • Curated reading lists and daily prompts

  • Community events and readings

  • And more!

Whether you want to improve your craft, sustain creative habits, or publish your book, I provide you with the clarity, edits, and strategy to get there. Think of it as MFA-level mentorship—faster, more personal, and at a fraction of the cost.​

Ready to seriously commit to your creative goals? This is a waitlist-only opportunity, and spots filled within minutes in the last round. Coaching will reopen in September 2026.

Join the waitlist

coaching packages

  • Blue promotional graphic for a coaching package, featuring a ship's steering wheel icon, with the text "Introduction" at the top and "6-Month Poetry Coaching Package" at the bottom.

    IMPROVE YOUR CRAFT

    Ready to level up quickly? Over six months, we sharpen your voice through rigorous self-editing, targeted revision, and mastery of craft. You write consistently, finish strong poems, and submit your work with confidence. We focus on execution and momentum—moving your poems from revision to publication.

    $500 per month

    Join the waitlist
  • Blue cover with the word 'INTENSIVE' and an anchor icon above the text '12-MONTH POETRY COACHING PACK'.

    WRITE YOUR BOOK

    Want to finally write your book? Over a year of coaching, you generate new work, revise deeply, and shape your poems into a cohesive manuscript. You learn to edit at the book level, position your work for publication, and actively publish poems along the way. You leave as a poet with a book and a publication record in progress.

    $450 per month

    Join the waitlist

  • CLAIM YOUR CAREER

    Ready to be seen, read, and recognized? Over 18 months, you publish your work and build an audience around your work. This includes building a platform, securing readings, expanding your reach, and defining your artistic identity. This is a long-term strategy, with visibility and momentum, for a career as a poet.

    $400 per month

    Join the waitlist
Quote by Carrie M., PhD in Literature, about working with Kelly, with her photo and a brick wall background.
Quote about working with Kelly from Nikki M., a Bookness Prize winner, with a photograph of Nikki M. in the bottom right corner and blue quotation marks in the top left.
Quote from Ashley P., MFA candidate, with her photo in black and white, showing her smiling outdoors.
Quote from Tanya K., author of The War Inside, about her poems being published and Kelly helping her

Clients published In

Black and white logo with the word 'ART' inside a circle
Gulf Coast journal logo with the tagline 'A journal of literature and fine arts'.
Logo with the word 'swim' in black lowercase letters over a light gray paint splatter background.
Text design that reads 'Only Poems' with a fountain pen nib at the bottom, stylized with flame-like accents.
Text reading 'Best New Poets' with 'New' stylized in bold handwritten font.
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Why Work with me?

Kelly Grace Thomas and client

With over twenty years of experience in writing, education, and editing, I’ve helped many writers reach their goals, whether striving for self-expression or acceptance into a specific MFA program or dream publication. I work with writers of poetry and prose to offer personalized one-on-one coaching sessions that include line edits, manuscript consultations, increasing confidence, and guidance around the submission process.

After working together, many of my clients have won literary prizes and been accepted to top-tier literary journals and competitive MFA programs. Many go on to publish books and teach workshops themselves.

I’ve received book deals from two highly competitive independent presses—the two exact presses I hoped to publish with. My coaching style is fun, strategic, and warm. I provide hands-on, action-oriented steps and edits so that every week, you feel you are progressing toward becoming the writer you want to be. I also provide reading lists so you can immerse yourself in writing that will help strengthen and deepen your current vision. 

I offer a free 15-minute call to discuss your writing and goals, as well as my personalized coaching style.

Book a Free Call
Quote from Brian S., author of Poetry of Stangers, with his photo in a circle at the bottom right corner. The quote reads: 'Working with Kelly like a lighting a fuse and seeing your writing take off. I'm done imposter syndrome and now know how to edit my work.'
A quote with a woman smiling, a purple circle border around her photo, and blue quotation marks at the top. The quote praises Kelly for helping articulate her poetry collection vision, with the woman's photo in the bottom right corner.
A quote from Danielle C., Puschart Prize Winner, with her photo showing her smiling in a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
Testimonial quote about Kelly praising her as a passionate, organized, warm, supportive, dynamic teacher and mentor, with a photo of Alex T., MFA in writing.

  • Poetry coaching provides the mentorship of an MFA without the price tag. Expect 1-to-1 personalized instruction where we work together to strengthen your writing and help you meet your goals. Many of my clients go on to publish in top-tier journals and put collections together.

  • Because spots are limited and sell out in a few minutes, people on my waitlist will be given first availability.

    Those serious about working with me should sign up for the waitlist to ensure they are alerted the moment availability opens.

  • You sign up for the first month via the website. Your card will then be automatically charged every month on the same date for the duration of your package.

  • While the impact of growth depends on the duration of our work together, many clients I work with establish sustainable creative habits, learn to edit their work, and receive offers for publication. While I can’t offer you a book deal, I can offer you a strategic approach that will increase your chances, craft, and confidence. 

  • It depends on your writing goals. Some people I work with are new to poetry and/or looking to establish a creative practice. Others work with me intensely over a year to get their book published. I offer a variety of packages tailored to your specific needs.

  • Yes, you can book a 15-minute call using this link.

FAQ: POETRY COACHING  

Join the waitlist

Be the writer you want to be!

Whether you want to improve craft, create habits, or publish a book, I provide the clarity, edits, and strategy to get there. Think of it as MFA-level mentorship—faster, more personal, and at a fraction of the cost.​

Join the waitlist to be the first notified when doors open.

    Coaching Includes:

    • 2x Monthly 90-minute 1:1 Coaching: Deep, personalized sessions designed to accelerate your growth

    • Twice-Monthly Office Hours: Real-time support to move through blocks and build momentum

    • Voltas & Vibes Workshops: Monthly intensives with strategic, actionable steps

    • Daily Poems & Prompts: Consistent creative fuel to keep the work alive

    • Custom Reading Plan: A curated path to refine your craft and expand your voice

    Enrollment Details:

    $600–$400 per month

    Six, twelve and eighteen-month packages

    Doors open September 2026

    Add your name to the waitlist to secure first access before spots are gone.