I met Phillip Guirand recently at one of my workshops and he asked me to help him get his book out. It was a pleasure! And it looks great.

“In this stirring and deeply personal narrative, Phillip Guirand charts the harrowing descent and spiritual awakening of a man wrestling with the consequences of his choices. Set against the backdrop of addiction, fractured relationships, and a world quick to condemn, this powerful story follows one man’s fight to reclaim his soul. With raw honesty and emotional intensity, Guirand delves into the pain of brokenness and the long, uphill battle toward forgiveness—not only from others, but from within.

Phillip Guirand brings unmatched authenticity to this redemptive tale. Drawing from real experiences and universal struggles, he offers readers more than a story—he offers a mirror. Through heartbreak and healing, Guirand delivers a message of hope: no matter how far one falls, redemption is always within reach.”

All times are eastern (New Jersey) – 2 Hours in most cases
Register at the links below

IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS IN LAMBERTVILLE
NEW HOPE ADULT WRITERS GROUP
NEW HOPE LIBRARY JOURNALING GROUP
CLINTON ADULT WRITERS GROUP
IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS IN SEPTEMBER

ADULT WRITERS GROUPS (ONGOING)

EVERY 2ND  AND 4TH TUESDAY
Adult Writers Group
6:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: New Hope Free Library
93 W. Ferry Street, New Hope, PA
RSVP

LAST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH
Adult Writers Group
6:00 – 7:00 pm
65 Halstead St, Clinton, Clinton, NJ
REGISTER AT THE LIBRARY WEBSITE

MONTHLY AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL JOURNALING
NEW HOPE LIBRARY
EVERY FIRST WEDENSDAY (STARING JULY 2)
REGISTER HERE

Monthly Autobiographical Journaling Workshop – New Hope Free Library

RSVP HERE – LIMITED TO 6 PARTICIPANTS!

https://www.eventcreate.com/e/newhopejournaling

“Every life is a story, and each of us is the storyteller.”

Join us for a monthly autobiographical writing/journaling workshop at the New Hope Free Library, beginning Wednesday, July 2, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

Some benefits of journaling:

Improves mental clarity
Supports goal setting and tracking
Encourages self-discipline
Reduces stress and anxiety
Enhances writing skills
Improves memory and comprehension
Promotes being present

Each participant will write 800-1000 words monthly on a selected theme: Connections, Your Life’s Work, the Role of Money, Your Health Journey, and more, all guided gently and confidentially by the workshop facilitator.

Please RSVP at link above. Workshop size is limited to 8!

What they’re saying:

“I’ve been working with Mark on my autobiography for several months. He is insightful, talented, and a wonderful asset in bringing my life’s story to the page. He made it possible and pleasant. And fun!” – K.C.

“I had a blast! Mr. McNease’s workshop was a revelation. His ability to quickly break through writer’s inhibition and get you to simply write is refreshing. He quickly set my mind at ease! Highly recommend him.” – Al

“That was a great workshop! I especially enjoyed drawing the childhood room with memories. A good springboard to [the] six week class!” – Barbara S

5 week autobiographical writing workshop at Bucks on Bridge

I’ve just added four in-person workshop in September, to be held at Bucks on Bridge in their art space run by the artists’ collective Soupcon. I’m a partner, and this has been a terrific space to hold workshops. I just completed a 5 week journaling workshop there in April, and we’ve all bonded so much we’ll be reconvening in July.

You can read about each of the four workshop here on the website, and register at the links below:

Fiction Writing Essentials, Monday September 8 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
REGISTER HERE ($20)

They’re Alive! Creating Vivid Characters, Monday, September 15, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
REGISTER HERE ($20)

Self-Publishing with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), Monday, September 22, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
REGISTER HERE ($20)

Guided Autobiography: A 2 Hour Introduction, Monday, September 29, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
REGISTER HERE ($20)

This was one of my best workshop experiences yet: enthustiastic attendees who told me it could have gone another two hours. Several of them expressed interest in a self-publishing workshop and spoke to the program director about it afterward. Such a great morning.

May 3 is just around the corner! It’s a busy workshop month for me, kicking off with Fiction Writing Essentials in Bristol, PA. Support your local library!

All times are eastern (New Jersey) – 2 Hours in most cases
Register at the links below

IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS IN LAMBERTVILLE
NEW HOPE ADULT WRITERS GROUP
CLINTON ADULT WRITERS GROUP
LIBRARY WORKSHOPS IN MAY
SUMMER 2025 SESSIONS VIA ZOOM IN JULY

ADULT WRITERS GROUPS (ONGOING)

EVERY 2ND  AND 4TH TUESDAY
Adult Writers Group
6:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: New Hope Free Library
93 W. Ferry Street, New Hope, PA
RSVP

LAST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH
Adult Writers Group
6:00 – 7:00 pm
65 Halstead St, Clinton, Clinton, NJ
REGISTER AT THE LIBRARY WEBSITE

ADDITIONAL LIBRARY WORKSHOPS IN MAY

CLINTON, NJ LIBRARY
Self-Publishing with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
North County Branch Library
Thursday, May 22
6:00 – 8:00 PM
REGISTER AT THE LIBRARY WEBSITE

HUNTERDON CO. MAIN LIBRARY
Fiction Writing Essentials
314 RT-12
Flemington, NJ 08822
Thursday, May 29
6:00 – 8:00 PM
REGISTER AT THE LIBRARY WEBSITE

BRISTOL PA GRUNDY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Fiction Writing Essentials
680 Radcliffe St., Bristol, PA 19007
Saturday, May 3 – 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
REGISTER AT THE LIBRARY WEBSITE

SPECIAL EVENT
Book Reading and Discussion: The Poetry of Tara Elizabeth Benedetti
Saturday, June 14 1:00 – 2:00 PPM
Location: Soupcon / Bucks on Bridge
25 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ
RSVP HERE (seating for 20)

Tara was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 28 years old, while teaching English in Boston. It has been 16 ½ years of a struggle for Tara. She is now 44 years old. All of her poetry was written before Tara was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

“I’ve been working with Mark on my autobiography for several months. He is insightful, talented, and a wonderful asset in bringing my life’s story to the page. He made it possible and pleasant. And fun!” – K.C.