Rachel Werner
Rachel Werner
Rachel Werner is the author of the picture books FLOODS (Capstone 2022), MOVING AND GROOVING TO FILLMORE’S BEAT (Capstone 2023), and THE GLAM WORLD TOUR (Capstone 2024) as well as the nonfiction middle grade title GLOW & GROW: A BROWN GIRL’S POSITIVE BODY GUIDE (Free Spirit 2025) and the nonfiction YA title BEAUTY EMANCIPATION (Macmillian 2026). She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) and a Certified Holistic Nutritionist who released her debut cookbook MACRO COOKING MADE SIMPLE (Chartwell Books) in April 2023.
Rachel is on faculty for Hugo House in Seattle, Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver, and the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, where she leads curricula to educate writers and content producers in marketing their work. As a regular book reviewer for Shelf Awareness, Rachel has contributed print, photography, and video content to We Are Teachers, Highlights Foundation, The Spruce Eats, TheKitchn, and MotherUntitled. And she is the founder of The Little Book Project WI, a community arts initiative committed to pursuing social justice through narrative.
Rachel has been guest faculty for Antioch University (MFA in Creative Writing low residency program), plus has previously presented writing workshops on digital marketing and social media strategy for those pursuing creative careers at conferences and retreats hosted by The Highlights Foundation; Arts Administrators of Color Network; the University of Wisconsin-Madison Writers’ Institute; “Write to Publish” (hosted by Ooligan Press at Portland State University); the Loft Literary Center’s Wordsmith and WordPlay events in Minneapolis; Dane Arts; San Diego Writers’ Ink; and the Writers Who Run Retreat. In addition, over the last year, she has been featured by the following national and international media outlets: ALIVE magazine; Booklist’s Shelf Care Podcast; CanvasRebel Magazine; ShoutoutLA; and VoyageLA as well as the Highlights Foundation blog.
Twitter: @therealscripts
IG, LinkedIn, TikTok, Threads: @therealscript
website: https://rachelwerner.pressfolios.com/
What excites you about writing? How has it affected your life?
My writing career is a reflection of what it means to be creatively whole. My artistic endeavors are not hobbies I occasionally squeeze in around primary responsibilities. They actually provide the literal—and figurative—sustenance for my daily existence. I may never retire per se. But the narratives I craft, plus other professional opportunities I continue to pursue as an author, feed my soul rather than decimate it.
What mindset does a writer need to continue to grow and learn?
“What you profess is what you will possess.” I recently heard that truth bomb on a podcast. Wanting to be an author is not enough. Hating your day job is not enough. Brainstorming story ideas is not enough. I need you to know not only what you desire to write, but why—in addition to when and where you are going to do the work.
If your daily routine involves limited free time, then start figuring out how to revise your schedule weekly to open up at least a couple of hours during which you could focus on finishing (or revising) a work in progress. Or participate in a virtual workshop. Or marketing content you have previously published—or the personal brand you are trying to build.
What three words describe you as a mentor?
Honest. Empathetic. Available.
What makes a good writing mentor?
A subtle writing mentor will have the professional knowledge to help you with:
-Putting challenges (like trying to find an agent, coping with rejection etc…) into perspective
-Developing a plan for promoting your artistic talent and skills
-Experimenting with different elements of craft or writing in a new genre
-Breaking down BIG dreams into smaller, more manageable pieces
-Discovering fresh sources of inspiration and mentor texts
-Holding you accountable to an action plan you outlined together
-Identifying potential channels for community building with other authors, editors and other pros in the publishing industry
What is your style of feedback?
I prefer to give feedack “live” (= in real time) either via phone or video chat in order to ensure clear communication. This also allows the writer I am working with to get any additional clarification she/he/they may need immediately from me.
What was the most recent “standout” book you read and what drew you to it?
I have been returning again and again for months to “Appropriate: A Provocation” by Paisley Rekdal. Formatted as an expository letter from a professor (Rekdal) to an anonymous student, the subject of cultural appropriation in literature (plus written and verbal critique) is examined from historical and contemporary perspectives. A compelling discourse—even if you are far removed from the world of academia.