We Are Made of Stories

Your Stories Are Worth Telling - How to Pitch and Write Personal Essays That Pay

This comprehensive, step-by-step course teaches you exactly how to turn your life’s stories into personal essays. Learn insider techniques that help you confidently pitch personal essays that editors can’t wait to accept, even if you’ve never been published before.

Does This Sound Familiar?

You know the moments that have shaped who you are—joy, heartbreak, growth, and everything in between. You know these stories are important, but when it comes to sharing them, you’re hesitant.

“Who would care about my life? No one wants to read about me.”

You’re not alone. So many aspiring writers feel the same way, caught between wanting to share their stories and feeling vulnerable, fearing rejection.

What if you share too much? What if people judge you…or ignore you entirely?

Even if you’re ready to take the leap, the challenges pile up.

How do you even write a pitch?

Wait! What is a pitch?

What do editors want?

How do I find them?

The world of getting an essay published feels like a maze, and you don’t have a map. Maybe you tried Googling, only to end up more confused about where to begin or how to reach out to editors without sounding clueless.

“Greetings, my good sir. Perchance, might you care for my life story?”

Yikes.

Then there’s the hardest part: figuring out what to write about.

You look at your life, but nothing feels “big” enough. It seems like everyone else has dramatic, life-changing stories, while yours feel ordinary in comparison. How are you meant to go toe-to-toe with someone who got evacuated from Everest by helicopter, for crying out loud?

Or maybe you’ve got ideas but don’t know how to turn them into essays that editors will pay for.

And let’s not forget that inner voice (you know, the mean one) whispering, “Who do you think you are? You’re not a ‘real’ writer. You don’t have fancy bylines or a writing degree.”

Imposter syndrome can be crippling, keeping you stuck in endless drafts or avoiding the keyboard altogether.

And through it all, life doesn’t slow down. Your job, family responsibilities, everything else on your plate…time is in short supply to try to learn how to navigate all of this.

But here’s the thing: your stories matter.

You don’t need a dramatic life to write essays that resonate.

You don’t need to be a “perfect” writer to get published.

What you need is the right guidance—a clear path to uncovering the stories you already have, crafting them into essays that captivate, and navigating the pitching process with confidence.

That’s exactly what We Are Made of Stories is here to help you do

Choosing not to write your personal essays doesn’t just mean missed opportunities. It means leaving your stories untold and your voice unheard.

If you don’t learn how to pitch, craft, and publish your stories, you’re not just losing the chance to earn from your writing (to the tune of thousands of dollars, by the way) — you’re losing the chance to make an impact.

Your experiences, insights, and perspective are uniquely yours, and keeping them locked away means someone out there will never get to connect with what you have to offer.

The world needs your stories, but they can’t make a difference if they stay stuck in your head.

Take a second to picture yourself a week from now, opening your inbox to an editor saying, “We loved your pitch. How soon can you send in a draft?”

Now imagine this becomes your new normal.

You know exactly how to pitch your ideas with confidence, tailoring them to the right publications. The blank screen no longer intimidates you because you have a system for turning your lived experiences into essays that editors love and readers remember.

And it’s not just about the bylines (though you still get a kick out of seeing your name out there) or the money (though getting paid $250+ for each essay feels amazing).

It’s about the connection.

Readers who email you, saying, “This essay made me feel seen,” or, “I thought I was the only one who felt this way.”

You’ve found your voice, and you’re using it to connect with others.

Oh, and you’re no longer dreaming of being a writer—you are a writer.

With We Are Made of Stories, you’ll have everything you need to turn this vision into reality.

Hey! I’m Tayla Blaire. And personal essays are my thing.

If you pop my name into Google (go on, I can wait), you’ll find hundreds of my articles. But it all started with a single personal essay about how taking self-defence classes made me feel more empowered.

That was for Stylist. I then pitched to HuffPost Personal and published what may still be my most popular essay ever.

In the years since, my essays have appeared in Business Insider, The Cut, Shondaland, Apartment Therapy, Oh Reader, and more. I’m kept busy with retainer writing projects, but any time I have a gap, I turn right back to personal essays to fill it.

Telling stories about my life (from the profound to the utterly mundane) has earned me thousands of dollars, most of which I use to fund my pretty expensive travel habit.

In 2023, after five years of writing, I started teaching other people how to start their own writing careers, both through my Scribbling Side Hustlers course and in one-on-one Acceleration Sessions.

And you know what kept coming up as the single most common request?

“I want to learn how to tell my life stories.”

And so I started teaching my methods and had the absolute privilege of watching my students fly.

My success rate is 90%. 90% of my personal essay students place their pitches and see themselves published.

One of my students earned over $1000 off the back of a single session with me. And she’s still getting more of her stories out there!

So, I set myself the challenge of putting everything I know into videos and resources that could be accessible any time for writers who want to tell their stories, using teaching skills I learned over a decade of working as an educator.

And that’s how We Are Made of Stories was created.

Your Stories Are Worth Telling - How to Pitch and Write Personal Essays That Pay

A comprehensive, step-by-step course that teaches you exactly how to turn your life’s stories into personal essays. Learn insider techniques that help you confidently pitch personal essays that editors can’t wait to accept, even if you’ve never been published before.

What You’ll Learn Inside We Are Made of Stories

Why Personal Essays Are the Best Place to Start

Learn why personal essays are the easiest and most rewarding entry point for writers breaking into the industry.

What You Can Expect to Earn

Get a clear picture of the potential payouts for personal essays—and how to maximize your earnings.

How to Find Stories Without “Mining Your Trauma

Discover ways to identify meaningful stories in your life that don’t require you to spill all about your most painful experiences.

How to Ensure You Have a Story (Not Just an Idea)

Learn how to recognize whether your concept has enough depth and structure to become a compelling essay.

Safeguards to Keep Your Writing Trouble-Free

Avoid pitfalls by understanding when to get permission, how to navigate sensitive topics, and how to protect your relationships.

Tips for Timing Your Pitches

Find out how timing can dramatically improve your chances of landing a commission and learn how to pitch stories editors want right now.

How to Write Pitches That Editors Can’t Resist

Craft pitches that grab an editor’s attention and make them excited to say “yes” to your submission.

How to Find the Right Publications and Editors

Skip the guesswork with insider strategies for matching your story to the perfect publication and the right person to pitch.

How to Handle Ghosting and Rejection Like a Pro

Turn setbacks into stepping stones with advice for staying motivated and growing from every experience.

Guidelines for Writing Personal Essays

From brainstorming to final edits, you’ll get my top tips on how to craft essays that captivate editors and resonate with readers.

Exclusive Bonuses to Kickstart Your Personal Essay Success

When you join We Are Made of Stories, you’re not just getting a course—you’re getting an arsenal of insider resources designed to help you find, craft, and sell your stories with confidence. Here’s what’s waiting for you:

  • 50 Personal Essay Prompts to Spark Your Best Ideas
    Never run out of inspiration with this curated guide to uncovering the hidden gems in your life that are perfect for personal essays.

 

  • Proven Personal Essay Pitches That Landed Paid Commissions
    Get an inside look at my actual pitches—plus links to the published essays—to see what works and how you can replicate it.

 

  • Cheat Sheet of Personal Essay Publications and Editor Contacts
    Cut through the guesswork with a comprehensive list of publications actively accepting essays, complete with editor details to fast-track your pitching process.

 

  • Top Pitch Call-Out Newsletters I Swear By
    Discover the go-to newsletters that keep me inspired and connected to editors looking for fresh stories—and get access to the same resources I use to stay ahead.

 

  • The Ultimate Pitching Checklist
    Say goodbye to second-guessing with this step-by-step guide that ensures your pitch includes all the elements editors want to see.

STANDARD

$247

Self-Study

PREMIUM

$597

Tailored Package

EVERYTHING in the self-study package, PLUS:

Discounted One-on-One Acceleration Session

Take your progress even further with a personalized touch! At checkout, you’ll have the opportunity to add on a discounted one-on-one Acceleration Session with me. Here’s what’s waiting for you in this bonus session:

  • Feedback on Your Pitch or Essay
    Bring a pitch you’re working on or an essay draft, and I’ll help you refine it, ensuring it’s polished, professional, and ready to send out.
  • Tailored Strategies for Your Writing Goals
    Get personalized advice on the best publications to pitch, how to structure your stories, or even brainstorm fresh ideas for your next essay.
  • Answers to Your Specific Questions
    This is your chance to get direct access to me and ask anything—from navigating editor relationships to overcoming creative blocks.

Kylie S.

“Tayla unlocked so much for me. She helped me delve into my past and see story ideas framed in a way that would resonate with readers. It was enlightening to learn the deeper art of personal essays and how to pitch them—with several helpful pointers on where to go. There’s definitely a science to it that I had no idea about. Since meeting with Tayla, I’ve pitched six times and have published four across Cosmopolitan, Business Insider, and HuffPost with the intention of continuing to expand my portfolio soon. I can’t thank Tayla enough. I’ve emailed her every story to her with my deepest gratitude. Tayla is extremely hands-on, tailoring her instruction specifically to your starting point, skill, and goals. I was pleasantly surprised at how easygoing and personal our entire session felt.”

Demi D.

“Tayla has taught me that we all have unique stories that need to be told, and we can get paid by telling them! I actually managed to pitch a story to Business Insider, and it got accepted and PUBLISHED! The editor loved working with me so much that she greenlit another piece for me and told me she wants to keep working with me. This never would’ve happened without Tayla’s help, and there are truly RESULTS.”

Bianca N.

“I think it is wonderful to be able to write and share our personal stories with the world, as you never know how your story might impact someone’s life. The 50 prompt ideas for stories is a fantastic resource! I also really enjoyed the structure: the video format combined with concise slides made me feel like I could absorb a lot of information easily. Tayla made something that initially felt scary and overwhelming to now feeling realistic and exciting! She’s a wonderful teacher and clearly passionate about writing, and I now feel empowered to give this new skill a fair chance. She gives solid and practical advice, and there is so much valuable content. Thank you!”

Refund Policy

At a price of $247, you should earn back the cost of the course with a single commissioned personal essay (based on industry averages). You also have instant access to all course materials and bonuses. As such, there are no refunds for We Are Made of Stories.

This policy ensures that only committed students join, ready to make the most of the tools, strategies, and resources provided. Once you enroll, everything you need to start pitching, writing, and getting published will be at your fingertips instantly —no waiting, no delays.

FAQs

This course gives you everything you need to start writing and selling personal essays:

  • Step-by-step video lessons on crafting, pitching, and publishing essays
  • A handbook of 50 personal essay prompts to spark ideas
  • Proven pitch templates that landed real commissions
  • A cheat sheet of publications accepting personal essays, complete with editor details
  • Recommendations for pitch call-out newsletters
  • A pitching checklist to ensure your submissions are polished and complete

It’s designed to take you from unsure and overwhelmed to confident and published.

The course costs $247, and with many publications paying $250 or more for a single essay, you could recoup your investment with your first commissioned piece. You can also opt for a payment plan where you’ll pay $131 two months in a row.

The premium option offers everything in the main package, plus a whole lot of mentorship. We’ll start with a one-on-one call where I’ll help you figure out which personal essays you should start with, based on the stories you have in mind. I’ll also workshop three of your pitches, ensuring they’re as strong as possible. Then, I’ll offer personalized guidance for where to pitch each idea and which editor to approach. This package also includes a full review of a single personal essay of your choice before it gets sent to the editor. This package is perfect for the person who wants more support while they start their personal essay journey.

This course is perfect for:

  • Aspiring writers who want to break into the world of personal essays
  • Experienced writers looking for guidance on pitching, crafting, and publishing essays

It’s not for:

  • Writers unwilling to put in the work.
  • People looking for detailed guidance on genres like fiction, long-form journalism, feature journalism, etc.

Once you purchase, you’ll receive instant access to all the course materials and bonuses. Everything will be available online, and you can work through the content at your own pace. You have lifetime access.

It’s simple! Click the “Enroll Now” button, complete your payment, and you’ll be taken directly to your course dashboard. From there, you can dive right in and start learning.

Yes! This course teaches you how to find meaningful stories in the everyday moments of your life, without needing to mine trauma or chase drama. Everyone has a story worth sharing—you just need the tools to uncover it.

Rejection is part of the process, but this course equips you to handle it with resilience and learn from every experience. Plus, with tools like proven pitch templates, editor contact lists, and a pitching checklist, you’ll significantly improve your chances of success.

This course is designed for all skill levels, from complete beginners to seasoned writers looking to refine their approach to personal essays.

Your Stories Deserve to Be Told.

I want you to take a moment and think about your stories. The ones that shaped you into who you are today. Those stories matter—not just to you, but to the people out there who are waiting to read them. You might not know it yet, but your words have the power to inspire, connect, and make someone feel less alone.

I know it can feel scary to put yourself out there. Maybe you’ve wondered if your stories are “enough” or if anyone will care. Let me tell you something I’ve learned: the most impactful stories are often the ones we think are too ordinary to share. It’s not about having lived a dramatic life; it’s about finding meaning in the everyday moments and sharing them in a way that resonates.

Imagine how it will feel to see your byline on a story that connects with readers, to know that your experience mattered, and to be paid for sharing something only you could write.

If you’ve made it this far down the page, I know you’re ready for this. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you.