Overview
As a coach, I offer the same care and support I provided to emerging writers during my decade as a creative writing professor at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
I've guided dozens of graduate-level creative prose manuscripts to completion and my students have gone on to publish award-winning books (PEN Hemingway, National Book foundation 5 Under 35, etc). Recognized with faculty awards for teaching and scholarship, I bring a proven track record to our work together. We’ll connect as fellow writers, diving deep into craft, word choice, and the power of language.
As a prize-winning novelist (WATER GHOSTS, GREEN ISLAND), I understand the challenges and rewards of the writing life and can talk you through not only the craft and organizational aspects of book writing, but also the mental and emotional parts of the journey.
Let's collaborate to bring your manuscript to life!
Services
Non-Fiction
Fiction
Languages
Awards
- American Book Award
- Association for Asian American Studies Award for Best Book in Creative Writing (Prose)
- Elliot Cades Award for Literature for Emerging Artist from the Hawaiʻi Literary Arts Council
- Northern California Book Award Finalist
- UC Davis Maurice Prize
- Nomination, The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses
- Fulbright Scholar (Taiwan)
Work experience
Self-employed
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Portfolio
Shawna has 6 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Desmond N.
Dec, 2025
Alan S.
Oct, 2025
Paulo S.
Oct, 2025
Lydia F.
Jul, 2025
Brit B.
Jun, 2025
Sign up to read more reviews
Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Shawna and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.
