Teaching & Editing
Teaching
I frequently teach community workshops in Houston and I also teach online. For information about upcoming workshops, please subscribe to my newsletter.
Editing
I also serve as a developmental editor for narrative nonfiction, memoir, personal essays, and nonfiction book proposals. For more information, please send a description of your project to me here.
Testimonials
“Jessica Wilbanks is one of our finest instructors . . . rarely do we see the situation in which all respondents mark that they were “Extremely Satisfied” with their workshop or that 100% of respondents say they would recommend the workshop to another writer, but Jessica’s workshops achieve this. I enthusiastically and wholeheartedly recommend Jessica as a memoir and creative nonfiction instructor . . . Our writing students love her because she brings to the workshop room a unique enthusiasm and an ability to nourish not just their writer minds, but their hearts and souls.”
– Elizabeth White-Olson, Executive Director, Writespace
“Jessica was excellent . . she was amazingly empathetic and encouraging while at the same time very genuine.”
– Former writing student
“I am thrilled with the editorial assistance I have received from Jessica Wilbanks in her review of the draft version of my memoir. Jessica honed in on the themes running under my narrative and was unusually perceptive in pinpointing the different “voices” she heard in my writing. I particularly appreciated her focus on “voice” because it pushed me to consider what, as an author, I was trying to accomplish.
Jessica was encouraging in areas she identified as my strengths as well as in those areas which needed more attention. She listed several concrete steps for me to take in order to strengthen my manuscript, and suggested the work of other authors whose approach or style was similar enough to mine to provide examples from which I could learn.
Jessica’s experience, education, and warm personality combined to provide an experience which was as pleasant as it was instructive. Her input has contributed to a stronger manuscript and to stronger writing skills, a well as a deeper appreciation of the writing process. I would not hesitate to consult with her again. She has my strongest recommendation.”
– Former client
“Jessica is an excellent instructor. She gives encouraging feedback, stays on schedule, and references relevant pieces of other authors. Ultimately, she knows what she’s talking about and knows enough to share that neither her opinions or perspectives are absolute. I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate her.“