The Blackbird Mission

Mission, Vision, and Values – Our Top Tips for Writing

MISSION: My mission is to transform good writers into great authors through a rigorous, lineage-based approach to craft. Drawing from the tradition of Gordon Lish  as passed down to me by Tom Spanbauer, and then merged into classical literature and time-tested storytelling principles, I offer close, specific, actionable guidance. This attention to detail matters and helps writers develop the core craft while also shaping their book-length work into to a singular elegant creation. This is slow cooking: boutique by design, selective by necessity, the Studio is built for writers who are serious about the long game.

VISION: My vision is to be the guide each writer needs at the exact moment their work is ready to become what it actually is. Because no two writers, and no two books, are the same, I bring the full weight of craft tradition to bear on each individual voice, listening for what the work is trying to tell the writer before they can hear it themselves. The result is not a formula but a formation.

VALUES:

  • Professionalism, consistency, and genuine care for each student
  • Clear, constructive feedback that builds confidence but also resiliance
  • Dedication to foundational craft development

THE STUDIO FORMAT:

Foundation Classes: Writers start with core creative writing teachings. Bones of Story Telling and then Scene/Exposition and Progress with a workshopping element.

Curated Workshops (invitation only): Writers are invited into the 30-week workshop where the foundation year teachings are deepened and each persons writing skills continue being developed through the workshopping format.

One-on-One Intensive Editing: What used to be the norm in traditional publishing, that is a close, collaborative relationship with an editor who loves and believes in the writer is the core of the intensive editing work. Here is where the work reaches it’s highest expression and is readied for the query process.

Path to Publishing: In 2024/25 Becky Ellis created a teaching for writers ready to meet the marketplace (agents, editors, publishers). Her subjects: platform creation and maintenance, study of the many forms of publishing, and how to properly query. A beta teaching with a handful of writers proved the concept and in 2025/26 Becky shaped a second workshop to continue development. The video teaching is available here.

Blackbird Structure

  • September – May: Weekly 2.5-hour curated workshops and in-depth craft study, analyzing both classical and contemporary works through a lens of higher literary principles. The Path to Publishing Series for advanced writers.
  • October: 10-week “Bones of Storytelling” foundation series, followed by 5-15 week advanced workshops on Scene, Exposition, and Narrative Progression.
  • March: 10-week Bones of Storytelling” foundation series, followed by invitation into Summer Studio
  • June-July Summer Studio: Six weeks of workshopping for established writers and Bones attendees.

At Blackbird, I focus on what endures: practical instruction grounded in classic storytelling principles, consistent practice, and professional support. I provide a solid foundation for your writing journey through clear guidance and dedicated work.

Reach out, let me know what you’re working on (or hope to work on) @ jclauck@gmail.com.

You can also connect with my teachings over at Flight School and Instgram.