Writing and Publishing Courses and Workshops with Author / Publisher / Mentor Deb Donnell.
The writing and publishing courses and workshops are part of the Diamond Publishing System™. Deb has developed and practiced this system over the past two decades. She has used it to publish her own catalogue of books, as well as assist others to publish life stories, memoirs, family histories, how-to business and personal development books, and more. Now you have access to this proven system, and the opportunity to be personally mentored by Deb Donnell either in Christchurch, New Zealand or online at online at https://keswin.academy.

Writing and Publishing Courses and Workshops List
Note: these are generic summaries of training available. Writing and publishing courses and workshops will be tailored to specific topics or stages of your project. See below for our current catalogue of courses and workshops.
- Writing Introduction
- Planning Your Project
- Developing Your Writing
- Polishing through Editing
- Design and Production
- Launching and Selling
We are in the process of scheduling more writing and publishing courses and workshops for this year. So if you can’t see one covering the topic or stage you’re interested in, then please complete the enquiry / waitlist form on this page.

Memoir Writing Introduction Course
- The Memoir Writing Introduction Course is the first in a series of six modules that guide you through the process of writing, editing, publishing and selling your memoir. This four week course is also suitable for self-employed individuals looking to build an authoritative presence through content and book writing.
Based on Deb Donnell’s Diamond Publishing System™ this first module guides you through the process of creating and ejecting the rough writing diamonds you have hidden within you.
The Memoir Writing Introduction Course is an in-person course, held in St Albans, Christchurch, New Zealand. Over the course of four weeks, guided by author/publisher and writing mentor, Deb Donnell you will:
- Be introduced to Deb Donnell’s Diamond Publishing System.
- Understand how your rough writing diamonds are formed.
- Unlearn your bad writing habits that stifle your voice.
- Break through and even eliminate writer’s block.
- Learn healthy and productive daily writing habits.
- Begin ejecting valuable rough writing diamonds onto the page.
Course details:
- 4 Weeks – 20 March 2025 to 10 April 2025
- Thursdays, 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
- Location St Albans, Christchurch, NZ
- Minimum 4 people, maximum 10 people
- $249. per person
Deb answers some FAQs about Writing and Publishing Courses and Workshops
While the Diamond Publishing System™ is very useful for fiction writers who want to self-publish, these writing and publishing courses focus predominantly on non-writers who want to share their life stories, knowledge, experiences, skill-sets, wisdom, etc. through non-fiction writing.
If your genre is fiction based, you will still find these courses and workshops useful (especially if you are building your author brand). However, I cannot give you specific guidance on writing for your fiction genre beyond the general basics of voice, dialogue, characterisation, etc.
The minimum number for each course or workshop is 4 people. This covers the cost of venue hire and my time for running the course.
The maximum number for each workshop or course is 10 people. This ensures that everyone benefits from the group mentoring process, and we build a positive and supportive environment for all.
Courses are run on a weekly basis, for 2 hours each week. The length of the course varies from 4 weeks to 8 weeks, depending on the stage of the Diamond Publishing System™ being covered.
Workshops are run either as a half day or full day workshop. This also depends on the topic and how much needs to be covered.
I truly believe everyone has an interesting story trapped inside of them, and that the best way to share it is through writing. This is why I developed the Diamond Publishing System™ which helps you discover and release your trapped stories.
I’ve worked with people from around the world get over their fear of writing. They’ve gone on to produce short memoirs, family histories, how-to business guides and inspiring life stories.
In-person training (or group mentoring as I prefer to call it) is offline; in other words, the sessions are held at a venue in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is obviously more personal and interactive.
Online training is held in the virtual training room environment (we currently use Zoom). This is delivered through KESWiN Academy, the online membership site which I founded in 2008. There are several options, from self-driven learning, to community coaching and networking, and from time-to-time, group mentoring courses and workshops similar to the runs I hold offline.
I designed the Diamond Publishing System™ to have 7 step-by-step progressive stages (this includes Stage I which you’ve already completed just by being you!).
You could skip earlier stages if you’ve more or less completed them. If you would like to do this, please complete the form below to let me know where you are at with your writing and publishing project.
They workshops are topic specific, so you don’t need to follow any set order. In other words, you can cherry pick what you need enrol in, when you need it (assuming it’s available).
Memoir & Book Writing and Publishing Courses and Workshops
MEM101 Memoir Writing Introduction Course
Unlearn your bad writing habits and introduce healthy and productive daily habits to empower you to start writing your life stories.
Group Mentored Course Length: 4 weeks
MEM102 Memoir Planning Course
All successful projects are planned and memoir writing is no different. This course helps you assess what it will take to achieve your realistic goals.
Group Mentored Course Length: 4 weeks
MEM103 Memoir Writing Development Course
Develop your writing skills and start producing short pieces of content for your memoir that will engage your loved ones and possibly a wider audience.
Group Mentored Course Length: 8 weeks
MEM104 Memoir Editing Skills Course
Taking your collection of short life stories, and adding where needed, you will edit and polish these into a full manuscript with a minimum 100 pages.
Group Mentored Course Length: 8 weeks
MEM105 Memoir Book Publishing Course
Using a word processing programme such as Microsoft Word® you will design, layout and typeset your book and cover in preparation for printing.
Group Mentored Course Length: 8 weeks
MEM106 Memoir Book Launch Course
A printed book is a great legacy to give your loved ones, and leave for the generations that follow. So let’s plan your book release, and celebration launch!