Photo by Stephen Locke

Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg,

Poet, Writer & Transformative Language Artist

I believe in the transformative power of writing

for greater courage, resilience, and creativity.

As a writer, educator, facilitator, coach, and former Kansas Poet Laureate, I work with people to live our truest stories.

I write — poetry, memoir, fiction, songs, essays, and blog posts.
I facilitate workshops, teach classes, and coach people on writing for meaning, connection, and transformation.
I offer creative retreats: Brave Voice Retreats with Kelley Hunt,The Big Picture with Kathryn Lorenzen, and Writing from the Soul with Joy Roulier Sawyer.
I present readings and keynote talks

What's New and Emerging

Poetry Abounds!

Featured poet in Mockingheart Review: See three poems, including the Pushcart-nominated "Crossing the Water" here.
"How It Started. How It's Going," a love poem in Elysium Review.
"More Instructions on Not Giving Up," a brand new poem in Medicine and Meaning.
"Dear Person You Think You Are" and more in Sacramento Review.
Cornerstone Press is bringing out Back on Earth, my 8th poetry collection, in 2027.

Come Write With Me

Online Classes:

"Writing Your Life Road Trip," launches March 16.

2026 Retreats await you!

Brave Voice - May 10-15, in Kansas with Kelley Hunt.
Big Picture Retreat - June 25-28, Eureka Springs, AR with Kathryn Lorenzen
Writing From the Soul - July 30-Aug. 2, Colorado Springs with Joy Roulier Sawyer
Brave Voice in Ireland - Oct. 11-17 with Kelley Hunt (background photo of where we're going!)

The Magic Eye
A Story of Saving a Life and
a Place in the Age of Anxiety

"A deeply human story, this book is a testament to courage and the power of place that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.”

~ Harriet Lerner, Ph.D.

Get your copy of Caryn's new book, The Magic, at your local bookstore, The Raven Bookstore in Lawrence, KS or get a signed copy through Caryn.

Care Package For a Creative Life Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg.png

Join My Patreon For Your Weekly Writer's Companion

My renewed Patreon gives you a weekly Write Where You Are Weekly Companion that includes front-row seats to writing and wisdom on the writing life from my published or unpublished writing as well as insightful and illuminating meditations on the writing life and craft, innovative writing prompts, curiosities and inspirations, plus discounts on books and events.

You can find out more, see some samples, and subscribe here. All patreon also get my free guide, Writing Your Truest Stories, plus access to over 280 posts on living with greater creativity, discounts on workshops and retreats, occasional drawings for free coaching and books, and other delights. You can choose your rate, starting at $7/month, cancel anytime, and stay in touch.

Need a Book for the Journey?

Photo by Stephen Locke, used with permission

See Books Here

The Everyday Magic Blog

Has There Ever Been a More Difficult, Tender, Horrifying, and Beautiful Time in Our Lives?: Everyday Magic, Day 1,132

The Walk for Peace with Aloka, borrowed from the Facebook page. Everyday we call and often text our son in Minnesota. While he lives in a St. Paul diverse neighborhood not under attack from ICE, he works at a food co-op in the Somali community in Minneapolis where fear runs justifiably high. That business, along with hundreds of others, is closed today in support of the general strike to protest ICE. Over the last few weeks, our son has been trained and issued a whistle and i

Peace

Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg

Jan 234 min read

What a Year: Prayer Trees, the Luck of the Irish, No Time To Hurry, and Big Love: Everyday Magic, Day 1,131

What a year, just about everyone I know is saying. Here's some of mine in 14 blog posts spanning the seasons. Thanks for being here as part of my community. I wish you all your own everyday magic. Kat on her birthday one year Loving Kat -- January 3: " Grief is like a giant sack filled with large, angular rocks and also ripped up piles of feather pillows. It’s impossible to get hold of and carry somewhere that makes sense. It’s a mess for the nervous system too as well as a

Beauty

Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg

Dec 24, 20254 min read

Trying Not to Be So Hard On Myself (You Too?): Everyday Magic, Day 1,130

It doesn't take much to turn my inner bitch mites (great phrase from my friend Sara) upon myself. Sometimes the smallest error, flaw, or mishap sets them to biting, leaving tiny welts or itchiness for hours. To mix metaphors, maybe you've been in the same leaky boat at times also? I mean, who hasn't been brought up to be exceptionally hard on themselves or otherwise warped by the traumatic or haphazard dangers of their particular life as well as life at large? Having just tur

Creativity

Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg

Dec 14, 20253 min read

See many more blog posts here dating back to 2007

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