The Gal’s Guide well-loved writing workshop returns!
- Classes start in January 2026
- Cost is $150 for 12 weeks
- Anthology call for submission deadline March 2026
Traditionally hosted in the fall, this 12-week writing workshop will move to a January 2026 start date. The program will 100% online with live sessions as well as self paced videos. Perfect for a new year, a new you!
This year’s workshop will again focus on healing & creativity through an unapologetically feminine lens. Using the Mother Castle method, students will use writing and meditation to heal emotional wounds for creativity to flourish. This tool, developed by Dr. Leah “Riwo” Leach utilizes women’s history, mythology, Buddhist meditation, and compassion. Previous students found immense value in a process that allowed them to heal the hard stuff so they could write.
In this 12-week workshop, students will also learn writing critique tools, receive feedback from their fellow writers, and have an opportunity for publication in the Gal’s Guide Anthology.
Takeaways
- Be encouraged to write
- Heal the hard stuff so you can write
- Unlock your creativity
- Unapologetically feminine
- Share your writing and get feedback
- Submit for publication in the Gal’s Guide Anthology
Writers love our classes
“The lessons and meditations sparked my creativity so much. The teachings were original.”
“The atmosphere created was uplifting and wonderful.”
“The meditation style was wonderful and brought a relaxing break to my week.”
“Leah has a way of making a space so warm and encouraging. This class embraced a mantra of there is no right or wrong way to write and I loved that message.”
“I loved the camaraderie within the group! And of course, all the information to help me feel more comfortable in my writing and submitting.”
“It was more than just ‘how to write’ – it was about unlocking the writer within.”
“This workshop helped me to open up my brain to writing and not getting stuck on tangents or get discouraged. It has helped my writing bloom a bit more. I would take any other workshops Leah and Gals Guide have to offer!”
“Leah was amazing! Best writing teacher I’ve had in a long time.”
Course Structure
We are flexible because we know lives get busy. You can take the classes live on Wednesdays, watch recordings or a bit of both. Registered writers will have access to all pre-recorded videos and digital materials for 1 year. The live classes will not be recorded so that conversations about healing can stay private.
LIVE ONLINE OPTION: Classes will be Wednesday evenings 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm Eastern January 7 – March 25. Leah will lead the classes live online with group discussion, writing feedback, and questions answered. This version is highly recommended to foster your own unique writing community.
SELF LED VIDEO OPTION: Take the class at your own pace. Watch and pause videos as you need. From January – March you’ll still have access to writer feedback from Leah and your classmates.
*NEW* ONE-ON-ONE TIME: Schedule time with Leah for help with your writing and/or creativity.
WRITING COMMUNITY: Registered writers get access to a private Discord channel within the Gal’s Guide server to build community, ask questions, share stories, ask for feedback, and more.
LIVE Class Schedule
- January 7 – Reasons to write, Mother Castle Ingredients: Mother’s & Compassion
- January 14 – Mother Castle Ingredients: Myths & Women’s History. Welcome to the Mother Castle meditation
- January 21 – Empathy Room
- January 28 – Abandonment Room
- February 4 – Vulnerable Room
- February 11 – Confidence Room
- February 18 – Problem Solver’s Room
- February 25 – It Takes a Village Room & rules of critique
- March 4 – Union of Opposites Room & feedback
- March 11 – Evolution Room & feedback
- March 18 – Hard Working Garden & rewriting
- March 25 – Leave the Castle meditation & rewriting
Ireland Group
If you are an OAP near Conna, Gal’s Guide is sponsoring a FREE in person session January – March. This group will watch the pre-recorded videos, have group discussions, share writing, provide feedback, and be led by Jackie.
Wednesday evenings.
Interested in signing up? Email info@galsguide.org
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Leah “Riwo” Leach is the founder of Gal’s Guide which was awarded 2022 Organization of the Year by Advancing Noblesville and received Congressional Recognition for their outstanding and invaluable service to the community. In 2024, Leah was awarded Arts Leader by Noblesville Creates. She’s been called “A Naptown Notable Resident” by InTake Magazine and “A Powerful Woman” by The Indy Star.
Leah is an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and podcaster with multiple (silly) honorary doctorates. She has been published in The Polk Street Review, Pattern, Comic Book in a Day, as well as Gal’s Guide Anthology. She’s published 4 books under the name Kate Chaplin. Her work has been shown on MTV, VH1, Discovery Channel, Sci-Fi Channel, ABC (Indy), and FOX (Indy). She is a Buddhist practitioner for over 30 years. Leah has adapted her storytelling training into the unique way Gal’s Guide teaches and writes about history. Leah has taught the Mother Castle Method at the Indiana Writer’s Center, InConjunction Sci-Fi Fantasy Convention, and Indiana Comic Con. She has recently moved from Noblesville, Indiana to Moorhead, Minnesota.
Tuition Rates
- Tuition is $150 per person for all 12 weeks
- Classes are January 7 – March 25, 2026
- Tuition includes live online sessions, recorded sessions, digital materials, and access to one-on-one chats with Leah. This year we won’t have welcome packets mailed to students.
- Students aged 15-115 are encouraged to register
- Makes a great gift!
GIFT IT!
Do you know a writer who wants to invest more in their writing but worries that it will cost too much or they are not worth the cost? Gifting a paid registration to the Gal’s Guide well-love writing workshop speaks more than words! It shows how much you believe in their talent as a writer.
Send the gift of a paid registration.
We even include a downable certificate that you can add to a card or stuff in a stocking.
Scholarships
In previous years, Gals Guide Library’s was awarded grants that made economic space to offer financial resources to writers. Due to federal funding limitations, such grants are on pause.
Gal’s Guide intention is to provide services to all that need them. We strive to not have a price point that excludes anyone for any reason. We offer nearly all of our programs for free. The writing workshop is a financial lift for us and our financial resources are tighter this year.
At this time scholarship opportunities have been closed. We were able to award 5 students with scholarships.
Application deadline December 10, 2025
Decisions emailed December 17, 2025
Sponsor A Writer
We’ve set up a scholarship fund. You can donate any amount to this fund to help offset the costs to a writing student in 2027.
We hosted a mini retreat on November 9.
Gal's Guide 