Sarah Van Arsdale has a rare blend of talent for both writing and teaching. Her passion for craft opens the door for close-readings of successful pieces and brings the same level of magnification to your own work, helping to make it stronger and more engaging. Sarah writes and publishes poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, in addition to creating artwork, and from her experience in these different forms she brings an expansive perspective to what is possible in writing. As a teacher, she is supportive and dedicated to helping each student grow into their potential as writers and as human beings in the world. She is enthusiastic and generous, and continues to be a true mentor in every way possible. Kelly Grogan


Sarah Van Arsdale is an excellent teacher; one of the very best. She is generous in sharing her copious knowledge of fiction, poetry and non-fiction techniques, and gives feedback that identifies fixable problems in her students’ work. She always makes herself available to answer questions or provide more information. While she makes no bones about giving detailed constructive feedback, her notes and comments are deeply encouraging, providing suggestions for improvement while cheering students on. Whether you are just beginning a writing journey or are a long-way down the path, Sarah will help you see the light-at-the-end of the tunnel and support you as you find your way there. Michelle Templeton, MFA


I came to writing quite late in life. I was floundering on my own attempting to put together a memoir, and I entered the classroom feeling that perhaps I didn’t really belong there making an attempt at writing. Sarah made everyone in that classroom feel comfortable. She made us feel that everyone has a voice and can commit it to real writing. Then she gave us assignments and exercises that helped us to develop our voices and put our feelings and ideas into words. It was a joyful experience. So wonderful was the experience, that I joined a writing workshop in Assisi, Italy the following summer, where she ran a class. I cannot endorse Ms. Van Arsdale fully enough. Barbara Marcus