Sackett Street Writers

What Sackett Street Writers does

Sackett Street Writers' Workshop is a creative writing education company founded in 2002 by Julia Fierro, an Iowa Writers' Workshop graduate, that operates small-format workshop classes for fiction writers, novelists, memoirists, essayists and poets. The company began with eight writers meeting in a Brooklyn brownstone kitchen and has grown to serve over 15,000 writers worldwide across in-person classes in five Brooklyn neighborhoods (Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, DUMBO, Prospect Heights, Sunset Park) and online via video conferencing.

The product portfolio spans tiered workshops (Fiction Writing I/II, Master Fiction, Advanced Fiction, Master Personal Essay & Memoir), generative formats (5-7 week Writing Sprints, 12-20 week Manuscript Generator), and specialized offerings (8-week MFA Application Prep Workshop, plus one-on-one manuscript and MFA consultations). Class sizes are deliberately capped at 8-10 writers for workshops and 12-15 for generative classes to preserve an intimate salon-style setting. The technology stack is light: a Squarespace-hosted website with class listings, Wufoo forms for applications, video conferencing for online delivery, and an online class platform with discussion forums and in-line manuscript commenting. There are no disclosed AI/ML components, integrations, or APIs.

The business model is direct-to-consumer with application-based admission. Pricing is per-class (effectively one-time charges per workshop) ranging from $500 to $2,500, with $25-$100 returning-student discounts. Revenue streams mix cohort workshops with bespoke consultation professional services. Growth has been organic, driven by earned media (Time Out New York, Brooklyn Magazine, Poets & Writers, The New York Times, The Economist, Lit Hub), social media, and alumni referrals; no external funding, parent company, or M&A activity is disclosed. Customer outcomes — National Book Award and Booker Prize winners/finalists, acceptance at 100+ MFA programs, hundreds of published books — are the primary marketing asset.

Name

Sackett Street Writers

Legal name

Sackett Street Writers' Workshop

Website

https://sackettworkshop.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sackett Street Writers is a Brooklyn-based creative writing workshop founded in 2002 by Julia Fierro that runs small-format (8-15 writer) in-person and online classes in fiction, memoir, and essay plus manuscript and MFA admissions consultations for individual aspiring and published writers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Writing Education

NAICS

Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (7115), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

akta.pro primary industry

Fiction Writing Workshops (Short Story, Novel) (EDAMAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Writing Craft & Technique Workshops (Voice, Structure, Character, Style) (EDAMAMAH), Writing Critique Groups & Peer Workshops (EDAMAMAJ), College Application & Personal Statement Writing Workshops (EDAMAMAN), Manuscript Development Services (Coaching, Developmental Editing) (MPAJAJAF)

Keywords

• Creative writing workshops
• Fiction writing classes
• Memoir writing instruction
• Manuscript development
• MFA application preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. In-Person Writing Workshops: Tiered pricing for in-person workshops ranging from 5-8 weeks. 8-week workshops priced at $850-$1050, 6-7 week workshops at $650-$1050, 5-week workshops at $550. Returning students receive $25-$100 discounts.
2. Online Writing Workshops: Virtual workshops with video conferencing. 6-week Writing Sprints at $500, 12-week Manuscript Generator at $1150, 20-week Manuscript Generator at $2500, MFA Prep at $950. Returning student discounts apply.
3. Manuscript Consultation Services: One-on-one personalized sessions with instructors for manuscript feedback and polishing. Individual consultants read manuscripts multiple times and meet to discuss suggestions.
4. MFA Application Consultation: Individual consultations and MFA Application Prep Workshops to help writers prepare applications for graduate creative writing programs. Includes critique of application manuscripts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sackett Street Writers is a creative writing workshop that provides small-group in-person and online classes in fiction, memoir, and personal essay for aspiring and experienced writers. It also offers one-on-one manuscript consultation services and an MFA Application Prep Workshop to help writers gain admission to graduate creative writing programs.

Product overview

Sackett Street Writers is a creative writing workshop provider offering a portfolio of writing classes and consultation services. The core offerings include in-person writing classes held in Brooklyn neighborhoods (Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Dumbo, Sunset Park, Prospect Heights) and online writing classes via video conferencing. The product line encompasses workshop-style courses in fiction, memoir, personal essay, and all genres at various levels (beginner through advanced), along with specialized programs for MFA application preparation and manuscript development. Supporting services include one-on-one manuscript and MFA application consultations. Classes are kept small (8-10 writers for workshops, 12-15 for generative classes) to ensure individual attention, and include access to an online class platform with craft lessons, writing prompts, and feedback tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Person Writing Classes Weekday and weekend writing workshops held in Brooklyn neighborhoods (Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Dumbo, Sunset Park, Prospect Heights) covering fiction, memoir, personal essay, and all genres. Classes are limited to 8-10 writers for workshop-style instruction.
• Online Writing Classes

Quantifiable outcome

• Alumni accepted at over 100 MFA programs including nearly every accredited graduate writing program worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hugo House: Seattle-based nonprofit literary center offering multi-week writing workshops, one-day intensives, and one-on-one manuscript consultations. Direct peer in independent workshop model, multi-genre curriculum, and community-building around craft writing.
• Lighthouse Writers Workshop: Denver-based independent literary arts center offering multi-week workshops, manuscript consultations, and genre-specific writing classes. Direct peer in workshop-based pedagogy, small class sizes, and craft-focused instruction philosophy.
• Gotham Writers Workshop: NYC-based private writing school offering in-person and online workshops in fiction, nonfiction, memoir, screenwriting, and creative writing. Most direct competitor to Sackett Street, with a similar multi-format (multi-week, single-session, private tutoring) catalog and similar price points.
• Catapult: Independent literary organization and publisher offering online and in-person writing classes in fiction, nonfiction, and memoir across multiple skill levels. Direct peer in craft-focused class catalog and manuscript consultation services, with similar pricing.
• The Center for Fiction: Brooklyn-based literary nonprofit offering writing workshops, craft seminars, and manuscript critique services for novelists and short-story writers. Direct peer in NYC geography and fiction-workshop format, with overlapping audience of literary fiction writers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sackettstreet
• Facebookfacebook.com/sackettstreet.writers
• Instagraminstagram.com/sackettstreet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sackett Street Writers