Creative Guide

It’s hard to describe the creative guidance service Kevin provides, but for me the biggest value was consistently walking away with tangible action items that immediately made a noticeable difference. Kevin has a knack for seeing things objectively and «mirroring» back to you the things you’ve already accomplished, to help inform your strategy for moving forward. He’s also a great sounding board. When you’ve hit a wall and gotten stuck, he’ll deliver a steady stream of insights and ideas, and he’ll do what it takes to draw them out of you as well. Every conversation I’ve had with him was productive.

I met Kevin through Twitter. I’ve always appreciated the information and insights he shared there, and when he offered to give me an hour or so over Skype to talk about my goals, I was excited to get some advice and encouraged that he thought I was worth investing time in.
Kevin was warm and and immediately made me feel comfortable during our interview. (He also introduced me to his very pretty cat.) He told me his story about how he worked his way up in the publishing industry, and listened to my (much less exciting) story.
He identified my quarter-​life crisis, and gave me good advice on how to get past it. I had been looking at my future through a very narrow lens, and he showed me that I was limiting my options. He asked challenging questions and gave me specific advice on how to get out of the slump I’m in. I’ve already been able to put some of his suggestions into practice.
He has a wide network of people, and he really seems to enjoy introducing people if he thinks they would work well together or be able to help each other. Over all, it was an energizing experience that left me excited to get moving creatively.

Kevin Smokler is simply *the* resource that any aspiring artist needs to get started, and that pros can call on to take their game to the next level. I worked with him specifically on writing, and I cannot say enough about the depth of knowledge that he brings to bear on all issues writing-​related.
First of all, he is a published author himself: can you say credibility? He knows the industry from first-​hand experience, something no amount of armchair observation could ever provide. He is the real deal. Whether it’s finding the self-​discipline to structure your writing process or navigating the ins and outs of getting an agent, Kevin knows whereof he speaks and gives advice that’s concrete and actionable.
Second, he is an active participant in the industry, regularly attending tons of publishing events, so he can help you learn the landscape, or point you toward resources you may not have already heard of, as well as effectively helping you evaluate which opportunities make sense for you to pursue for your specific projects.
Third, the man has a network. When he talks about trends in the industry, useful opportunities and people to reach out to, what he is saying is informed by an up-​to-​the moment, dynamic working knowledge of who’s who in writing, who’s saying and writing what, and whom you should be in touch with.
Finally, and most importantly, he is a generous soul. Kevin is truly motivated by the desire to help people pursue their artistic dreams, and that makes all the difference. His counsel is always tailored to your particular needs, and informed by a genuine interest in what’s best for you. He has the ability to listen carefully and ask the right questions, putting you at ease while at the same time constructively focusing you on what the right next steps are. Although his many travels and activities within the publishing industry (not to mention his own writing!) keep him super-​booked, he is never too busy to find time to help.
In pursuing a career in writing, it can be hard to know how to start. There’s really no standard path, and the landscape can seem cluttered with people, programs, classes and books making claims about their ability to help you succeed. Among them all, Kevin is the mentor, guide and cheerleader who will steer you right every time.

Kevin has been a tremendous source of creative support and inspiration as I build my own business, and he’s helped me think of new ways to tackle the problems I’m trying to solve. I can’t thank him enough for his encouragement and insights.

I’ve long admired Kevin’s work. He’s constantly seeking new and transformative ideas, asking tough questions, and staying one step (or more) ahead of his peers. Truly a progressive thinker, Kevin often makes connections that others miss – and he’s reliably generous with his time and thoughts, to the benefit of everyone around him.

I cannot recommend Kevin Smokler highly enough. Kevin is incredibly smart, creative, and inspiring. We met at the SF Writer’s Conference in 2010 and have been continuously impressed by his work. He is an amazing speaker and consultant — and has inspired many of the marketing plans and strategy for my own book.
Kevin is also someone who makes friends everywhere he goes — he is dynamic, passionate and always interested in helping others. Kevin is a truly special person — he ranks among the top 5% of people I have ever met or worked with.

I met Kevin Smokler at the 2010 San Francisco Writers’ Conference (
). I introduced myself, because I wanted to sign up for his consultation; but his schedule was full at all the times mine was empty. So, Kevin offered to sit down right then.
I seized the moment with nary a note in hand and delivered the one-​liner that was my coming-​of-​age novel pitch. Less than two minutes into our conversation, Kevin sized me up and asked directly: You expect to make your living writing books?
My answer was «yes.»
His response was honest: «That’s going to be a hell of a lot of work, and your best bet is to have additional revenue streams.» We spent the next half-​an-​hour discussing my book (and those potential revenue streams). Then, he suggested valuable next steps for me to take.
Based on Kevin’s advice, I pursued feedback from one editor and one agent about the first 50 pages of my book; and I’ve identified the major elements of my plot that need reworking.
I sought his advice on writing workshops and teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area, and he introduced me to a successful novelist and former Stegner Fellow, who teaches both privately and at the Stanford Writer’s Studio. Although I hadn’t mentioned my interest in Stanford-​specific programs, once again, Kevin understood my style and intent without having to probe very deep into my art.
I plan to seek out Kevin’s «Creative Guide”-ance again, as soon as I get far enough along in my book, and short fiction writing, to ask him new questions. Kevin Smokler’s creative consultations combine a broad industry reach with useful insights for literary artists looking to find the right market and support services for their writing.