Testimonials
Ariana Salvo
“I participated in Karen's first Courageous Writer's Academy a little over two years ago with the goal of learning some practical somatic techniques that would help me to improve my focus in my writing practice and gain greater skill with editing my own writing. I took the toolbox that she helped us to build in and have been pulling resources from it when I need to calm/balance my nervous system and regain focus. The lessons that Karen shared with me about editing my own writing will also be invaluable to successfully progressing through the many drafts that lie between where I stand now and getting my novel published. I am grateful to know Karen and to be a member of the community of courageous writers she nurtures every day through her work. If you are considering joining her academy, I highly recommend you take the plunge. Your future self will thank you.”
Mollie Coles Tonn
“The retreat in the olive grove is like being in fable you can feel with your whole body. The land is so present and storied, you cannot help but feel the same. Karen nurtures this horizon line of earth-feel and flourishing imagination so well and provides both structure and wild instinct for the essential work and play of your creative process. The olive tree companions, the secret chapels of lit candles, the sea's swell always within eyesight-all of it supports the inner work and the words wanting out. Plus: gorgeous locally sourced and made food (with its own lore), dancing as necessary, and the camaraderie of others seeking immersion and permissions to be and to make as they are. It's a rare trip. I recommend jumping on it.”
Somae Osler
“On the island, there were six of us participants. We were/are all in major transitions or turning points in our lives. Too, we were also from vastly different backgrounds. Each day, Karen led us in gentle, deceptively simple exercises in self hypnosis and eye-to-brain self-connection work (the eye work was simply extraordinary, like nothing I’ve ever experienced. This is part of her work as a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist.) I count my time on retreat with Karen as a pivotal part of my healing and creative journey.“
Judy Derckson
“In the Olive Grove, we work with our creativity--and dis-ease. Exploring. Poking. Prodding. Even playing. Integrating the hurts and harms until they become part of the past, histories that can safely be carried. My anxiety lessens as I feel acceptance. The urge to share everything bouncing around in my hyperactive brain lessens. I’ve never experienced such unconditional love. Such acceptance of me exactly as I am.”
Doley Henderson
Kaz introduced us to the most extraordinary place, practices, and practical magic in the family grove on Lesvos. I’d never been to Greece before, had always dreamed of going, and it was the ultimate experience of that ancient and olive-tree-filled world. I adopted my own olive tree, lounged and wrote every day in a hammock, and swam to my heart’s content.
I went two retreats in one year, one for creative rejuvenation (I needed it!) and one for writing craft. The Olive Grove she let us ‘live in’ is one of the most beautiful, safe and unique places I’ve ever been in my life. My healing and my writing practice both accelerated . . . Thank you, Kaz!
Lishai Peel
“Karen Connelly gave me the tools to access parts of myself I had not yet explored. Her guidance and encouragement enabled me to delve deeply into narratives that worked through sticky multiracial family histories, complicated relationships and inter-generational trauma.
Under her tutelage, I began to unpack these stories in ways that now significantly inform my work. Before being mentored by Karen, I hid; I alluded, I wrote through abstraction. But Karen could still see me and she invited me to step into my work in a way I’d never before permitted myself to experience. Since this mentorship, I’ve come to realize that my stories are my life’s making. I’m no longer afraid to own and share them.”
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Lishai Peel
Mar Fenech
“As a starry-eyed, aspiring author, I had the privilege of working with the incomparable Karen Connelly.
Few people treat their fellow humans with such care and consideration as Karen does. She embodies empathy and compassion. Karen inspired me to write bravely and helped me develop my literary voice—no, my literary roar. She made both practical and extraordinary suggestions in our process together. I channel this feeling of wildness and possibility whenever I write. And I thank Karen for encouraging me to tap into my truest nature.
She remains a trusted and cherished mentor. Over the past two decades, we have cultivated a friendship I treasure. I aspire to write as fearlessly as she does—to be as courageous.”
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Mar Fenech, Author of Eight-Pointed Cross and The Falcon’s Shadow
Dr. Gretchen Roedde
“It was a privilege to work with Karen, who was unflinching in her assessments, encouraged me to the limits of my abilities, and gave above and beyond to ensure my achievement. I’m excited to learn she brings her many gifts to the challenging vocation of psychotherapy and trauma work.”
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Dr. Gretchen Roedde
Jennilee Austria
“Karen believed in me, connected me with valuable networks, and has been so encouraging as my journey progresses. I love that Karen is a literary pharmacist-- she knows exactly which book to recommend for any emerging artist’s ailments and inspirations. She is an incredibly supportive mentor.”
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Jennilee Austria, author and founder of Filipino Talks
Marcia Walker
“I came to Karen Connelly with an idea, a personal essay, and a hard deadline. She worked with me over five months to turn my vague impressions into a novel. I never would have accomplished this without her. She was a light in the dark for me. Her intelligence, humour, and insight helped me understand what was necessary to the story. When I did not trust my own perception, I trusted her particular brand of honesty to bring me back. It was a gift to work with her.”
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Marcia Walker
Rebecca Fisseha
“Karen’s great! I’d heard she was a uniquely good mentor long before I began to work with her. She introduced me to this mysterious engine called plot and, through her reading recommendations, to many writers I wouldn’t have come across otherwise.
Those works became a secondary mentorship. Karen also very wisely pointed out critical missing elements in my early drafts, granting me permission to begin the process of writing more daringly. Karen is also a very open, kind, funny and approachable person. One of the rare people who actually walks the talk when it comes to cultivating human connection.”
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Rebecca Fisseha, author of Daughters of Silence
Gillian Grant
“I was writing a memoir. I was in a hurry to get to the “wow” moments. She challenged me to slow down and spend more time expanding scenes to create deeper meaning. Her thoughtful insight woke up all five senses and I learned to write with an uncluttered mind and an open heart. With her help, I navigated the highs and lows of self-confidence and savoured the process of writing my story. “
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Gillian Grant
Tina Beier
“Karen was a fantastic mentor. My novel was not her usual genre, but she dove into it with enthusiasm. She provided insightful critiques not only of my writing but of the deeper themes of the work. She helped me broaden the scope of my characters’ emotional journey. I can honestly say that my novel and my writing improved tenfold under her mentorship. I was so lucky to be paired with such an amazing writer and person.”
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Tina Beier, author of What Branches Grow
Charlie Gray
“Even the most perfect words, aligned in the most perfect way, could never convey completely my gratitude for Karen’s role in my journey as an artist and thinker. Karen helped me dig deeper into who I am, so I could mine out the stories I want to share with the world. Her mentorship has been a true gift in my life – without it, I would not be the artist that I am today. I have tremendous admiration and respect for her voice and insight.”
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Charlie Gray, Body and Wine Podcast, writer on sex and spirituality