Tawny Lara

Tawny Lara is your favorite writing teacher’s favorite writing teacher. She teaches ethical, sustainable approaches to storytelling, self-promotion, and creative visibility. She’s the author of Dry Humping: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze, co-author of The Sobriety Deck, and co-founder of (parentheses) botanical beverages.

A journalist by trade, Tawny reports on mental health, the non-alcoholic drink movement, and publishing/media trends through a pop culture lens. Her Substack, Beyond Liquid Courage, is a mix of voicey hot takes and industry insights. But most importantly, she has an eponymous taco in her hometown of Waco, Texas.

Student Feedback for Tawny

If you’re a lost and uncertain aspiring author (like I was!!), then working with Tawny will be invaluable. Her knowledge of the inner workings of the publishing process was just what I needed while building my proposal, and her guidance truly helped me to secure an agent. Plus, sessions with Tawny are fun and creatively deep! I highly recommend making Tawny a part of your authorship journey. Alyssa Polizzi

Tawny is THE REASON I was able to land an agent with my book proposal and secure bylines. I would be lost in the writer’s world without her guidance and support. Sydney Allen

Working with Tawny has changed the trajectory of my life! I didn’t know how to extrapolate my trans cancer experience from my head and her coaching has really brought things into focus. She truly believes in me and it’s a hell of thing to have someone in your corner like that. Ash Davidson

I’m so glad I trusted my gut and brought Tawny on right as I was getting the show off the ground, because it’s been one of my best decisions. As my creativity coach and PR strategist, she helps me trust my own voice, and she’s been shaping my Substack writing too. Kristin Horstman

How did I get here? I started with Tawny’s book proposal bootcamp (highly recommend!) and continued with 1:1 coaching. I seriously could NOT have gotten to where I am today without Tawny’s coaching, expertise, and accountability. Laura Silverman

Tawny Lara’s class on writing non-fiction book proposals is a lighthouse for anyone eager to explore mental health topics with depth and empathy. Her expertise not only helps writers to craft impactful narratives but also to navigate the complexities of mental health with sensitivity and insight.  Sophie Saint Thomas, author of Reproductive Rites
 
Tawny is not only an experienced journalist and writer, but she’s also a marketing wiz who can bring that extra special sauce to your book proposal. If you want to actually sell your book, there’s no one else that I’d rely on to teach me the 101.  Irina Gonzalez, editor, journalist, and author of the Raising Gen Alpha newsletter
 
Tawny is a master when it comes to marketing yourself as a writer. She will help you focus your vision and tap into insider knowledge of the publishing world. Gemma Hartley, author of Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward

 

“This seminar exceeded my expectations! It was super helpful and informative about an emerging area of publishing. The most helpful part: Tawny’s slide deck; the comparison between self-publishing and traditional; talking about how publishers have different imprints for paper products. Thank you!” -former student

Tawny Lara

Tawny's Courses

Tragedy + Time: How to Make the Heavy Stuff Light on the Page