“I have been writing short stories for nearly twenty years, and many have been published in good literary journals. However two days after meeting Connie May Fowler at the Post Graduate Writing Conference at Vermont College of Fine Arts, she convinced me I was writing a novel. ‘Hold on,’ I said, ‘I’m a short story person, not a novelist!’ And she looked at me in her warm-hearted way, and said, ‘Well, you are now.’ That’s the kind of editor Connie is: She pushes me out of my comfort zone, she challenges me to try a kind of writing I never thought I could manage, she boosts me when I claim I can’t do it, she continues to demand my best work. And she does all of this with compassion and humor and grace. I’ve worked with her now for almost three years and my writing is not just better because of it, it’s soaring. I highly recommend working with Connie whether you are an aspiring writer or even one who is more seasoned. She will put her heart into working with you - will help you envision the story you want to tell, and will work with you line by line until your writing glows.” ~ Kath Hubbard, Short Story Writer, Novelist

“Connie May Fowler is the finest reviewer I have ever worked with. She critiqued my memoir manuscript twice, first in its rough draft form, and then after it was revised, each time with a keen eye for detail and a grasp of the big picture. Based on her responses to me, it was clear that she read my writing thoroughly. I found her help to be invaluable. I came away from my experience with Connie believing that she genuinely appreciated, and wanted the best for, my writing. I recommend her with the highest respect and appreciation.” ~ Carolyn Walker, author of Every Least Sparrow and Questions Counted Like Stars

"Connie May Fowler has a remarkable ability to dive deeply into my writing and find the hidden threads waiting for discovery. Connie's insight and gentle guidance has led me to write cinematic scenes and compelling characters with specificity and truth. Her artistic influence on my work is priceless." ~ Rosemary Porto, Novelist

“I am a significantly better writer thanks to my work with Connie May Fowler. Be it grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, tense, or larger issues like voice, point of view or pacing, Connie's editing is invaluable.” ~ Sheila Reed, Novelist

“Connie is the teacher that every aspiring author needs. She articulates elements of craft, guides her students to improve their content, and suggests strategies for eventual completion and publication of projects, as only someone with her track record and success can. Moreover, Connie is just plain fun to work with.” ~ Flavian Mark Lupinetti, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Poet

"I have worked with Connie for many years, as an editor, teacher, and mentor, both individually and in a group setting. Connie embraces our stories with precision and expertise, encouraging us to shed unnecessary words in order to get to the heart of what we want to say. Her careful editing helps us to keep all the important elements of a story afloat: tension, character, setting, conflict, voice, point of view. Her attention to detail continuously challenges us to reach deep and to revise and refine until we unveil the essence of our work. I highly recommend her."~Tricia E. Bratton, Novelist

“I’ve been working with Connie for four years, since I got my MFA from Vermont College. I credit her with facilitating so much of my growth as a writer. A lover of the word and writing, with a broad understanding of the “human situation” we're all in, she is a talented and versatile mentor, as adept at identifying thematic issues and underlying structural problems, as she is at sentence-level editing. An amazing mix of intelligence, acumen, and empathy, her advice has both encouraged me and helped me master how to “go deeper” in my personal essays and the memoir I am writing. It’s a privilege to work with her.” ~ Judy Padow, Memoirist and Essayist

“Connie May Fowler is the writing mentor and editor I’ve waited a lifetime to find. She is generous and loving in her praise and will believe as deeply in your work as you do, and when your faith waivers she will believe in it even more, helping you see your own accomplishments on the page. But she pulls no punches. She is rigorous and tough in her edits, lovingly but firmly guiding you to take your work to heights you never imagined. She can do this because she pays attention, listening to and honoring both your voice and the voices of your characters. I have had the great gift of working with her for several years now and my work, as well as my belief in that work, have grown exponentially under her graceful tutelage. If you are an aspiring writer, give yourself the gift of working with Connie May Fowler. It will change your writing life.” ~ Elizabeth Peterson, Novelist 

“I have worked with Connie May Fowler for three years and in that time her influence on my work as a fiction writer has been profound. Mentor, editor and champion, she has pushed me again and again to realize the full potential of my story and to deepen my craft skills. Her critiques are incisive and generous, her teaching and artistry inspiring. And she’s fun. Thank you, Connie.” ~ Beverly Boutilier, Historian, Novelist

“Connie May Fowler’s Matanzas Writing Retreat offered uninterrupted writing mornings followed in the afternoons by gentle, yet precise, suggestions on each day’s efforts. Connie’s kind advice set the tone and lit the path during this reaffirming, inspirational and productive week. Shut away from most daily distractions, we concentrated on honing works in progress as well as setting sail via the wings of new inspirations. Now it’s time for us to fly.” ~ Michael Kilgore, Writer 

“Stepping outside my comfort zone after a lifetime in movies with a manuscript combining memoir and film craft, Everything Has Meaning: Confessions of a Film Editor, I was fortunate enough to find in Connie May Fowler an insightful eye for story, a patient and rigorous editor, and a tutor in the efficacy of linguistic rhythm and metaphor to turn my words into vibrant, visceral scenes. Connie understood from the beginning the delicate balance I have strived to achieve. Her gentle and good-humored prodding—her frank assessments couched in her booming and frequent laughter—has pointed me toward a seamless weave of art and artist, digging deeper into my own story to expose underlying themes that are echoed on screen. I have worked with Connie for almost two years one-on-one and in numerous workshops with published writers and novices like me, and I can state without hesitation that any writers willing to do the sweat work and lucky enough to encounter her will find not only a brilliant editor, but a warm-hearted mentor willing to push them beyond their imagined limits." ~ Jason Rosenfield, Film Editor, Memoirist