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Recent and Upcoming Events


                     May 30, June 5th, 2019      College Essay Writing Workshop at The Beacon School, NYC

                     May 4, 2019                          College Essay Writing Workshop at the American Library of Paris

                     April 18, 2019                       Graduate Program Personal Statement Writing Workshop, American University of Paris

                      Nov 7, 2018                          College Essay Writing Workshop at LaGuardia HS for the Performing Arts, NYC

                      Sept 13 and 25, 2018         College Essay Writing Workshops at The Beacon School, NYC
                
                      May 12, 2018                        College Essay and UK Personal Statement Writing Workshop, Paris 75007

                      April 11, 2018                       College Essay Writing Workshop at The Beacon School, NYC
          
                      January 12, 2017                 Forbes article on College Essay Writing by George Anders
                                          

Cathy Altman Nocquet

Photo
    Creative thinking was always part of my curricula. It trained me to find any problem interesting. It also taught me to consider and value words. I love to analyze, debate and entertain the absurd.

Words and numbers never tire me. I work out with them the way other people lift weights or run laps, whether I’m writing, teaching, editing or fundraising for projects close to my heart.

Being bilingual brings an added awareness of words, not just in writing, but in living. It’s wonderful to interact with so many like-minded people in Paris and New York. Most of the students in the writing workshops are bilingual. We constantly play with language, meanings and sounds. This leads to an ease of expression, an improved skill in writing, and a marked delight.

Join us anytime.


Creative Writing   
group workshops and private sessions for children and adults

College Essays 
generating unique content and developing your voice on the page
group workshops and private coaching
         
Teacher Training
using writing in the classroom to develop creative thinking
for English mother tongue and ESL students

Editing
fiction, academic articles, biographies, speeches, college essays, IB Extended Essays

Writer Coaching
in person or via email
guidance for new authors    
insights for professionals

Then and Now

IVORY TOWERS

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Reed College
Barnard College/Columbia University


HARD KNOCKS


Young and Rubicam, Paris
D’Arcy, Paris
Tatham Euro RSCG, Chicago
Leo Burnett, Paris
Leo Burnett, Chicago
DDB, Chicago
Waring & LaRosa, New York

Awards for radio, TV and print advertising campaigns
THE GREAT ESCAPE

Creative Writing Workshops

The American Library in Paris
Ecole Jeannine Manuel
Lycée International Saint-Germain-En-Laye
Notre-Dame/Saint Sigisbert, Nancy
Gifted in France
Paris Girl Scouts
Ecole Koenig
Manatee County Libraries, FL
Barnes and Noble, Brooklyn, NY
Books of Wonder, NYC
Bankstreet Bookstore, NYC
Words Bookstore, Maplewood, NJ
Working Moms Short Hills, NJ
Yoga Retreat Milos, Greece
Yoga Retreat Orvieto, Italy


College Essay Writing Workshops

American Library of Paris
Lycée International de Sèvres
Ermitage International School
LGA HS for the Performing Arts, NYC
The Beacon School, New York City

Teacher Training

English Language Schools Association
Ecole Jeannine Manuel
Lycée International Saint-Germain-En-Laye
Lycée International, Valbonne
American Association of International Sections

Writer in Residencies

Lycée International Saint Germain-en-Laye
Canadian International School, Bangalore
Lycée International Valbonne

2011 Paris Short Story Contest Shortlist
and Editorial Prize Nominee


Recommendations

   «I have never seen nor heard of anyone who works with people, young and old, in as inspiring a way as Cathy Altman Nocquet in her creative writing workshops. With humour, wit and depth of understanding, she opens her students' minds to the endless possibilities of their own imaginations, giving them the skills and direction to put this into words, sounds, rhythms, phrases. Cathy values all her students’ work and ideas, and stays encouraging and instructive, guiding each person to find his or her own voice.»

Amy Gamlen, Musician, Composer and Teacher

«Looking at how much Cathy's creative writing class has helped our children to gain self-confidence in their own ability to write, it strikes me that there is scope to develop a kind of counter-culture Creativity Camp which has as its overarching goal the mission of challenging and developing each child's unique talent.»

DY, Education journalist


WRITING CLASSES

«S has been writing non-stop in his notebook since your classes. His French and English teachers both noticed he was writing more and better. Your workshop inspired him and we are enjoying reading his writing together every night. Thank you very much for this great beginning to creativity and writing!»

LF, Paris

«L's English teacher writes that ‘her writing is becoming ever more creative and literary, particularly her poetry writing’. She also scored 'dedicated, descriptive, eloquent and expressive'....
This is all in no small part due to the fun she is having in your classes, by far her favourite activity. Many a dinner table conversation has revolved around various plot lines and neologisms. We're all benefiting from this literary trickle-down!»


L.M., UK


«Your workshops are a blast because you come up with such creative incentives for writing and understand all the road blocks we all put up about any endeavor.»

L.K., San Francisco 

COLLEGE ESSAYS

Over 30 recommendations on the Vouch Tutors website

"Thank you so much for all of your help, I couldn't have gotten that essay out of me without your sparkle!"

S.J. (admitted to Columbia University)

"Thank you again! I couldn't have done it without you. Your advice really got me going in the right direction and I am very satisfied with the final draft."

Y.D. (admitted to UCL)

"Your comments are incredibly useful and make writing each draft easier!"

J.T. (admitted to University of Chicago)

«If I’m able to write like this it is thanks to you and your wonderful classes. The confidence I gained while completing your writing assignments was incredibly precious. Thanks for being an excellent writing and life tutor!»

M.F.M, Italy (admitted to Haverford)

EDITING

«Your comments are right, right, right - again and again. The line edits are masterful, and in fact I'm writing this note after pausing at the end of Chapter 2, because I couldn't in good conscience read any further without expressing proper appreciation. Everything you say about bigger issues is very perceptive, too. You framed the choices well and your detailed direct feedback is incredibly valuable. Please keep the wisdom coming!»

G.A., Author

«I admire your balanced delivery of praise and criticism -- encouraging, without crushing. Clearly a well honed art.»  

T.G., Author and parent


ADVERTISING

«Cathy’s intelligence, talent and humor are undeniable. She is able to pierce then transform the most complex problems into stunningly simple and strategic solutions. Her imagination is alive and well and her unique way of seeing and describing things leaves ordinary writers in the dust. Any client would be fortunate to have this truly original mind working on his/her business.»

Arlene Wanetick, Creative Director at the Joey Company, New York

Student Awards

Young Author's Fiction Festival (YAFF) 2016

1 Second Place

YAFF 2015

1 First Place
1 Fifth Place


YAFF 2014

1 First Place
2 Second Places
1 Third Place
2 Fourth Places
1 Fifth Place
2 Honorable Mentions


YAFF 2013


2 First Places
2 Second Places
2 Third Places
1 Fifth Place
1 Honorable Mention


YAFF 2012

2 Third Places

YAFF 2011

1 First Place
1 Third Place
2 Fourth Places
1 Fifth Place
1 Honorable Mention


YAFF 2010

1 First Place
1 Fifth Place
1 Honorable Mention


1 Student admitted into the Barnard College Creative Writing Program

Red Wheelbarrow Writing Contest 2009

1 First Place
2 Honorable Mentions






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