let’s work together

I am a forthcoming Fall 2025 Visiting Professor at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, an Associate Fellow at the Attic Institute for Arts and Letters, and have taught writing to teenagers and adults at Oxford Academia, the New York Times Student Journeys, Literary Arts, the Portland Writers-in-the-Schools, the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, the National Writers Series of Traverse City, and the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School in Sicily, among others.

I’ve also lectured, visited courses, and led workshops at Willamette University, the University of North Carolina, the University of Oregon, Bryant University, Vermont State University, Ithaca College, Bowdoin College, Portland State University, University of Michigan, University of Washington, and others.

  • Workshops and Lectures

    • Available to visit your class/school/office/library, virtually or in-person.

    • Topics: literary nonfiction; environmental writing; researched memoir; writing across genre; science-writing; journalism; “creative research”; building writing habits; freelance writing.

    • To request an in-person or virtual speaking engagement with me, please contact Authors Unbound, or view my speaking profile.

  • Freelance Editing/Brainstorming/Structure

    • Looking for an extra set of eyes on an in-progress work of fiction, memoir, or research, or for help getting a project off the ground? Whether you’re hoping for written feedback or a 1x1 conference, let’s chat, I’d love to help you accomplish your goal. Drop me a line with a few sentences about who you are and what you are hoping to gain working with me.

Andrea Lonas, 2022

Upcoming Classes

  • Finding the Shape of Your Story with Erica Berry & Jules Ohman

    In this generative class, we’ll jumpstart our writing projects for the new year using fiction and nonfiction techniques to create narrative blueprints. The first session will be focused on generating new ideas for expansion, and the second on mapping a structural plan.

    Co-taught by Erica Berry, author of the narrative nonfiction book Wolfish, and Jules Ohman, author of the novel Body Grammar, we’ll borrow craft from both genres to explore character, story shape, narrative outlining, and creating narrative tension. Participants will leave with techniques and a plan forward for their short or longform work. Bring an in-progress project or start something new. 

    The two 3-hour sessions will include lectures, in-class writing and mapping activities, and Q&A, with some optional exercises to undertake in the week between.  

    Cost: $150.

    Class dates: Friday, January 24th & Friday, January 31st, 2025 from 10am-1pm PST / 11am-2pm MST / 12pm-3pm CST / 1pm-4pm EST 

    Location: online / Zoom

    Sign Up

  • Spring Memoir Bootcamp

    Whether you’re already knee-deep in a memoiristic writing project or intrigued by the prospect of beginning to write with a first-person voice, this two-day intensive will provide a supportive, nourishing environment for you to develop your craft. Through a mix of short writing exercises, readings, discussion, craft talks, and optional opportunities for feedback, students will gain tools to think more deeply about time and structure in memoir, narrative voice, the balance of scene and exposition, and more general advice on the challenges and joys of writing in this genre. No experience required, only curiosity and a willingness to experiment. Open to all writers.

    Cost: $249

    Class Dates: Sat-Sun, Mar 8 - 9, 2025, 10am - 2:30pm

    Location: Attic Institute, 1033 SW Yamhill St., Suite 405

    Sign Up

  • Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers

    Summer Fishtrap offers weeklong creative writing workshops in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, revision, and graphic storytelling, plus a cross genre virtual workshop. Each workshop is limited to no more than 13 participants, giving you the opportunity to build connections with a world-class instructor and your fellow writers. Throughout the week, we’ll bring the best of Summer Fishtrap to you through craft talks, discussions, open mics, and readings.

    Cost: $975

    Class Dates: July 7-13, 2025

    Location: Wallowa Lake Lodge, Oregon

    Learn more

Jere Grimm, Visual Artist

“Working with an editor was a first for me, and Erica made it feel like the exact right thing for me to be doing at that exact moment in the development of my essay. Erica seemed to intuit the necessary and gently probing questions. It was a crucial and helpful step for which I was so very grateful.”

Agueda Pacheco Flores, Freelance Journalist

“Erica Berry’s class helped me regain that pure form of confidence one feels when they first realize writing is their “thing”…it was the push I needed to redirect my writing goals back to their roots, one where I saw writing not as a means to an end, but a passion that gives my life meaning.”

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Associate Teaching Professor Andrea Otáñez, Communication, University of Washington, Seattle

“Many descriptors come to mind when I think of Erica Berry: wise, incisive, generous…she creates a warm, encouraging environment while offering accessible tools to express our truths or explore what those truths may be. I always emerge so much smarter when I read ERica’s work or sit in the classroom with her.”

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Testimonials

Professor Deirdre Mahoney, Ph. D, Communications, Northwest Michigan College

“Erica helped me step out of my comfort zone as a long-time teacher of academic discourse and into the much less familiar terrain of creative nonfiction. She demonstrated radiant talent and a gentle spirit as she offered guidance and avid support for my work. Simply said, her presence in my life at that moment was nothing less than profound.”