A PRIVATE Membership community for Those Who Believe Writing Mends and Shapes Us
The Pen & Mend Collective
Pen & Mend Collective is a private membership for writers who believe writing is both personal and formative — shaping not only their own lives, but the world around them.
This space is for those who journal regularly, draft essays or poetry, work on books, or long to take their writing more seriously.
Some of us write to process grief.
Some of us write to create beauty.
Most of us are doing both.
Together each month, we tend to our writing lives with intention and inspiration.
It's more than a frivolous hobby.
Writing is a thread to creating healing and hope.
HEre's WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Inside the Pen & Mend Collective, you’ll receive a guided space and a steady rhythm to help you create a healing, sustainable writing practice.
Hosted on Substack for paid subscribers, you'll have exclusive access to community features like comments and chats 24/7. Through our virtual events, you'll have the opportunity to make connections and new writing friends. Engage at the level you feel comfortable with supportive, kindred spirits!
supportive communtiy
virtual writing rooms
Membership Features
You don't need to go this alone. Find accountability and motivation to show up and write whatever words you're longing to write. You'll be invited to join other kindred spirits in a Pen & Mend private, virtual writing room. Maybe you'll want to explore a journal prompt, write your story, play with poetry, or compose an essay to publish. The writing room functions much like a quiet study or library and is very introvert-friendly.
JOIN NOW
'AFTERWORDS' CONVERSATION + casual group coaching
Once a month, following one of the virtual writing hours, you're invited to stay "AfterWords" for a supportive, conversational group coaching session to ask questions, connect through thoughtful discussion, and find insights and next steps as you write for healing and hope.
Once a month, you'll be invited to join a virtual journaling or writing workshop (like Word by Word or Write Your Grief). Members will also occasionally enjoy book clubs, discounts on other events, and more. If you can't join live, you'll receive exclusive access to the replays to watch when the time fits your schedule.
live events + replays
Build a steady, life-giving rhythm with your writing. Through live writing rooms and guided sessions, you’ll have dedicated space to show up to the page—without pressure or perfection—so writing becomes something you can return to again and again.
A Steady Writing Rhythm
Pen & Mend offers a space to actively engage your writing—not just think about it. Through workshops, live sessions, and real-time practice, you’ll have opportunities to develop your voice, explore new approaches, and grow in confidence as a writer over time.
a place to practice & grow
When you join Pen & Mend,
you'll enjoy...
encouragement from a supportive community
You don’t have to navigate your writing life alone. With regular gatherings and a steady rhythm of support, you’ll be encouraged to keep showing up—gently, honestly, and at your own pace—in community alongside others who are doing the same.
I believe writing can offer healing + hope to anyone - including you.
I'm an artist, writer, former English teacher, and certified writing coach who is passionate about spreading the love of writing and creativity as tools for healing and hope.
I hold a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in education from the University of Illinois, with additional studies in theology, writing, and communication at Yale and Stanford.
I'm the creator of two faith-based journals, Rest: A Journal for Lament and Rise: A Journal for Perseverance, and has contributed to various collaborative writing projects both in print and online.
I created The Pen & Mend Collective as an extension of my own healing journey through grief, loss, and spiritual growth. Writing has been a steady companion in my darkest seasons and my becoming.
about your host
Hi,I 'm Kristin.
I'm here to cheer you on and be a compassionate and supportive guide for your writing life
LOUIS DESALVO, WRITING AS A WAY OF HEALING
"It's not what you write or what you produce as you write that is important. It is what happens to you while you are writing that is important. It is
while you write that is important."
who you become
How exactly does the Collective work?
When can I join?
How much does it cost to join Pen & Mend?
Will I have any opportunities to receive feedback on my writing?
You can join any time by upgrading to a paid subscription on Substack.
Will I be expected to share what I write?
Starting in June, the monthly membership is $19/month. Payments are made through Substack and automatically recurring until you pause or cancel your subscription in Substack. You can pause or cancel at any time.
Substack serves as our online headquarters: https://penandmend.substack.com. You will also receive prompts and event invitations via email. Virtual gatherings take place on Zoom. Offerings and pricing are subject to change.
Who is this for? Do I need to be an experienced writer to join? Is this for creative writers, journalers, or something else?
When I refer to writing as spiritual formation or as a spiritual practice, I do so from a Christian faith perspective and this will at times come through within the Collective. However, all faith backgrounds are welcome here. We encourage one another to explore and incorporate spiritual and religious beliefs into our writing and respect one another's beliefs even if we do not agree or align. This collective will be a safe space for every member to express themselves freely as long as to not harm, attack, or shame others.
The Collective is focused on writing for personal growth and healing in a safe, judgment-free space. When you join certain events like Word by Word, you will have an opportunity to share your writing and receive supportive feedback. Please note this is not a critique group, and writing is never submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only if you want to. There will be dedicated times and spaces for sharing meaningful words for those who would like to share.
Pen & Mend is for writers who feel drawn to the page as a way to process, understand, and engage with their lives. This space isn’t about being “good” at writing—it’s about being willing to practice. Some members are just beginning, while others have been writing for years. From journalers to published authors, writers of all kinds (even those hesitant to call themselves "writers") are welcome in P&M.
