“I was so fortunate to have the wise counsel, discerning eye, and unparalleled writing skills of Joyce Hayden while working on my Epic Poem, “Call and Response” for my first TEDtalk.  Before she worked with me, I had a lot of text and was overwhelmed with ideas.  Overall, the piece needed to be made more concise and laser sharp to make specific points and create the atmosphere I desired within the 18 minute time limit of the performance.  Joyce has a remarkable ability to get to the heart of a piece and really make it sing.”

– Jesse Chandler, Ukulele Cowboy Society, Performer/writer

“I approached Joyce to work with me on the written element of my still-in-progress mixed media poetry project “Artifacts,” and I am so glad she agreed! She asked smart questions to ensure she understood my intention for the project and helped me determine the structure of the piece as well as to identify gaps in the narrative arc. Her enthusiasm and kind, constructive criticism gave me confidence to move forward with the project. I highly recommend working with her.”

“I have taken over one hundred of Joyce’s classes. I think the number of sessions says everything that I can say. I’ll just include one word, fantastic.” -Rebecca Chamaa, CPSS in CA and CPA in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University, Writer, Workshop Facilitator

“For over three years now I have had the extraordinary good fortune to be a participant in  Joyce’s online Ekphrastic writing class. It is hands down the best writing workshop I have ever been a part of. The artists whose works she has curated for each class are always intriguing, both in the breadth and the depth of their work. Much of the work she chooses is new to me, which is a great experience in and of itself. Her brief commentary on the history of the artists and the contexts in which they work is exactly the right amount of information to stir intuition and connections with the work  that are personal and meaningful. And then we write, using Joyce’s suggested prompts if we choose or going our own way for 40 minutes of free writing. Joyce is a generous and supportive facilitator, with an excellent ear for each writer’s voice. It is through this class and Joyce’s mentorship that I have seen my writing open up in ways I never imagined.” -Elizabeth Huntington, Writer

 “I have been a student of Joyce’s for several years, and I am so happy to have found her. She is a dedicated and passionate teacher who excels at creating a safe and creatively infectious container for bold exploration and sharing of my writing. I always feel energized and inspired by the class, and by her feedback and grounded, open presence.” -Amy Trafford, Writer