Anistemi Authors Academy

Distinctives

Anistemi Authors Academy is a program for serious and motivated student writers. Successful graduates of the program are prepared to pursue their professional writing goals with a portfolio of published work, personal strategy, brand, & online presence.

Biblical Perspective

Literature explores the big questions all ask: What is real? Who is God? What is it to be human? What is best? High schoolers should proactively confront society's answers to these questions–and their own assumptions–bearing scriptural principals about corruption in mind (Romans 3:21-26). Doing this while still under daily parental discipleship is ideal for preparing young adults for confident Christian witness beyond the home and community that raised them. Our writing mentors understand this, and our curriculum is designed to support the God-designed, relationship-led system of apprenticeship between artists. Writing helps filter words through the screen of scripture.

Strategic Pathway

Our student experience is focused and purposeful, and the workflow is targeted for maximum efficiency (no busy work here). We take the guesswork out of planning for parents & students. Before enrolling, student & parent attend a consultation call to ensure best placement, and all materials are included in the course. As with any course, students receive in relationship to what they invest. Students who invest in our courses will be prepared for any personal goal that demands sophisticated levels of communication: from family discipleship responsibilities to writing professionally. Skillful writing takes time. Our program doesn't waste any. It helps writers set up to start their writing career.

Convenient Process

Coco Chanel is credited with saying, "Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." When it comes to learning writing, we couldn't agree more. Most courses involve a great deal of preparation from the parents: from initial placement decisions to complicated (and expensive) supply lists. Our mentorships require no such preparation on the parents' part. The course reader is included in each course, and any other books required are automatically shipped to you one month before courses start. Students will also appreciate our efficient approach: we deliver depth by cutting out clutter and focusing on activities that prove engaging & effective.

High Quality

Our students don't just receive access to courses through us; our students receive access to us through our courses. This shift in perspective makes all the difference in approach, delivery, and outcome. We know our students are writers already, and we respect their voices as God-given. Our writing mentors are masters of their trade, and we limit course seats to 20 students per professional mentor. This ensures that each writer receives careful, personalized mentorship in the essential terminology, techniques, tools, skills, mindsets, habits, and business strategy needed to confidently pursue their God-given call to write and publish professionally.


Only about 2% of those who graduate college with a college degree in English become paid writers (US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Our team understands those rates. Writers are artists; they need mentorship and support developing business skills to successfully pursue their goal of writing professionally. The online world is flooded with opportunities for skilled writers, and AI only increases the value of good human writers that can produce original content.

Don't chase your dreams; pursue them with strategic purpose:

  • Earn high school English credit while pursuing your call to create & starting a professional portfolio of published work

  • Weekly, live writers workshop guided by one of the senior members of our leadership team

  • Nurture collaborative connections with other Christian creatives

  • Practice giving & receiving meaningful feedback

  • Draft and revise key portfolio pieces with support from peers and detailed feedback from mentors

  • Work with our Publisher & Editor in Chief to (1) learn about professional publishing communications and legalities like copyright & contracts, (2) become familiar with the basics of solicited & unsolicited manuscript submission processes, and (3) learn by doing: first portfolio piece will be solicited for professional publication on Anistemi's blog

  • OPTIONAL PUBLICATION COMPETITION: Practice use of manuscript guidelines to prepare and submit a short creative piece for publication and promotion through Anistemi Publishing

  • Access to one-on-one coaching sessions to support immediate writing goals, long-term strategy, or help overcoming the specific challenges between you and your personalized writing goals

Our Registration Process Nurtures Relationship

Our program is not a one-size-fits all approach. Its customized nature supports a specific type of student writer: young adults ready to begin pursuing careers as professional writers, and we limit seats to 20 to ensure highest quality.

Our consultation calls are NOT sales calls in disguise; they are purely relational & informational, used to ensure the best fit since access is limited. Here's how our registration process prioritizes transparency and trust:

  • If interested, book a free 30-minute consultation call.

  • The consultation call allows us to understand your writing goals and provide you with a personalized program overview that addresses any questions you may have.

  • You will not be asked to make any commitment or decision during the consultation, and a seat will automatically be reserved in your name for 24 hours to allow time to pray, talk, and think about your decision.

*A parent or legal guardian who will be making the purchase decision is required to attend to ensure clear communication.

Program Overview

Pathway to Professional Writing & Publication

Don't chase your dreams. Pursue them with purpose.

Learn how we help students strategically build professional presence & a published portfolio while still in high school.

Year 1: The Art of Meaningful Story

This course provides a foundation for our other high school courses. Using myths, fairytales, and biblical texts, we will explore the power of creative writing to make abstract ideas concrete.

Year 2: The Science of Global Meaning

This course provides a foundation for our advanced high school courses. Using creative, narrative, and biblical texts, we will explore the power of story to convey true meaning.

Year 3: Advanced Creative Composition

This course is an provides a professional-level foundation for editors and writers. Using a wide variety of texts, students practice analyzing, editing, and revising the writing of others & their own while receiving mentorship in professional communication techniques employed by professional editors and writers.

Year 4: Personalized Strategy Mentorship

This course helps young writers develop a personalized strategy: a unique plan of action to pursue their individual writing goals with purpose. Material covered is tailored to individual interest, skillset, voice, & style, but covers legalities, portfolio, resume, interview skills, personal branding, website, & online presence. Additional cost covers extra one-on-one mentorship, design assistance, tech support and software expenses.

OUR PROFESSIONAL MENTORS

Janie Barbosa

Founder & Publisher

Janie specializes in:

design (graphic, web, & UX),

personal branding,

business strategy,

publishing, &

copyright.

Devon Kelly

Arts Program Director

Devon specializes in:

curriculum development,

narrative storytelling,

thematic analysis,

poetry, &

song.

Steffanie Schweikert

Editor in Chief

Steffanie specializes in:

research & content writing,

Christian literary criticism,

creative nonfiction,

linguistics, &

editing.

FAQS

Are courses or the program accredited?

No, our program is not accredited or certified because there is no accreditation for professional writers. Like art, obtaining writing contracts depends on having a polished portfolio, an effective business strategy, professional communication skills, and a confident presence.

How are grades calculated and tracked?

Grades are not an effective measure of professional writing skills. Professional writers do not strive for good grades; they earn publication. High quality feedback, not grades, is of the highest value to professional writers. To help young writers adjust and prepare for professional levels, our mentors provide constructive and supportive, professional-level critique.

However, since our courses are designed to allow high schoolers to gain professional terminology, technique, and tools while still in high school, we do provide a pass/fail grade. If homeschooling and using the course for high school credit, it is the parent's responsibility to assign a grade on the student's transcript.

Our courses are designed with Carnegie Credit Hours in mind. This is how American schools calculate credit value. We can affirm that each course is worth 1 high school level credit (students will complete more than 120 hours of study and writing work). In fact, dedicated students will discover they are far more prepared for not only college, but also to pursue careers directly after graduation than if they had completed a typical academic writing course.

Will the courses work as supplemental to full-time enrollment elsewhere?

Yes, students are able to complete Anistemi Authors Academy courses as an enrichment, supplemental, or elective program. In fact, all our courses are intently writing-focused; they are complimented by literature courses, and we may recommend supplemental grammar support High School 1 & 2 to ensure every student is well-prepared for Advanced Creative Composition.

How do I enroll?

If you're ready to enroll, book a consultation call to ensure best fit. Consultation calls are 45-minutes long, conducted via video conferencing, and cost $50. The fee will be deducted from the total first payment at enrollment. Those who do not enroll do not receive a refund.

A parent or legal guardian is required to attend the consultation call, to confirm enrollment for writers under 18, and to accept the Terms and Conditions.

Students will submit an original, one-paragraph written response when they book the consultation call. During the call, we will discuss their written response and then have time for individual questions and conversation about writing goals and your interest in the program.

After the consultation call, we will email our course placement recommendation. A seat will be reserved for 24 hours to allow parent and student time to reflect, talk, and make a prayerful decision. If you do not enroll within 24 hours, we cannot guarantee that a seat will still be open, but you will still be able to enroll if a seat remains.

What if I cannot make the weekly live workshops?

Missing a few (1-3) live workshops over the course of 28 weeks will be okay. However, if you regularly cannot attend the live workshops, we cannot recommend enrollment.

The workshops are the most valuable elements of the course. They mirror protocols of professional editing teams and provide real-time mentorship in collaboration, communication, writing, and editing skills.

Do courses provide learning accommodations for students with learning or processing disorders?

No, our courses do not offer accommodations or cover possible supports for writers that need them. However, there are many assistive technologies to help writers overcome challenges, and the unique perspectives such students are able to express often make them powerful voices, especially within certain industries. If young writers desire to glorify God through use of their writing gifts, we want to support them.

While we cannot claim expertise in accommodations, our mentors are delighted to support and learn from students that rely on assistive technologies. God equips those he calls, and mentors can share valuable input to help writers lean into the unique strengths of their perspective, voice, style and interests.

How much do courses cost?

High School courses 1-3 cost $2,800. This includes 28 live, 60-minute workshops, mentorship, and an optional publication challenge that provides students with the opportunity to apply all they've learned about publisher manuscripts and submission processes.

High School Course 4: Personalized Strategy Mentorship costs $5,000. This course provides all the supports included in previous courses, but it adds more individualized support, one-on-one coaching calls, design and tech support, and coverage for essential software (design, email marketing, & accounting needs). This ensures that there are no hidden costs.

What is your refund policy?

We offer refunds up to 30 days before the start of courses, though the $50 consultation fee is non-refundable.

Due to the downloadable nature of the content, we cannot offer full refunds once the courses have started.

What if I need to drop the course unexpectedly?

We'll do everything we can to work with you when unexpected life changes occur. If dropping before course access has begun, we can offer a full refund. If canceling after obtaining access to the course, we will work with you to figure out the best possible solution given the circumstances.

Can I enroll if I am younger than 14 or older than 17?

No. Writers must be 14 years old at the start of the course, and no older than 17 when enrolling in their first course.

Anistemi Authors Academy is designed for young adults 14-19 years old. If older than 17 at first year of enrollment, writers will not have enough time to complete the program.

When do courses start and end?

Please see our calendar here.

How & when will I access my course?

One week before courses start, we will send a welcome email to the address you provided.

Work through the log-in information provided, and give us a call if you experience any issues.

Get In Touch

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