Photo by Jairo Alvarez

Clarisse Baleja Saïdi (b. Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire) is a bilingual writer of Rwandan and Congolese (DRC) descent and Ugandan and Canadian dual nationality. A graduate of the Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, she’s received fellowships from Hedgebrook, MacDowell, Yaddo, ART OMI, and the Vermont Studio Center, among others. Her writing has been awarded the Theodore Roethke Poetry prize, Hopwood Prizes in fiction, nonfiction and drama, the John Wagner Prize, a Marina Nemat Creative Writing Prize, Penguin Random House’s Short Story Prize and more. She is the recipient of grants from the Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, and was named a 2022-2023 Fine Arts Work Center fiction fellow.

Writings

Long form writing is alchemical. I cherish the process of slowly amassing material and contributing to a narrative, only for it to transform in its own essential way. Eventually, order emerges, and with it, a world that was there yet defies reader and writer expectations. Magic, I tell you.

Most days, you’ll find me at a desk, writing on home, love, and power —on being, othering, emerging and belonging. I’m at work on a novel. I can’t wait for you to read it, but the (better) work demands even my patience, so I ask for yours.

En attendant, I’m learning to say the little things often. My Substack newsletter Virtual Village is where I connect with digital and dispersed communities. Think ‘belief pieces’ rather than opinion ones. Think travelogues for the third culture kid semi-grown-up, or INFJ dispatches perhaps.

Thanks for reading me in the in-between.

Offerings

There is the joy of writing, and there is the privilege of sharing all you’ve learned along the way with others.

I may have courses, craft talks, or a seminar coming up. You’ll find these under the events page.

I also offer many one-on-one services via my coaching and editorial services. Read more about them below or sign up for a free 15-minute intro call.

  • COACHING: A personalized service combining custom feedback, professional craft tips, motivational support and resource sharing. This is a premium service ideal for moving your plans and practice forward.

  • PROJECT CONSULTATION: Developmental editing feedback on a book proposal, novel draft, poetry collection or nonfiction manuscript. For a quote, email in a project description or sign up for the free introduction call.

  • OFFICE HOURS: Need a one-time discussion with a pro? An informational interview to discuss professional writing avenues? Schedule an office hours chat. We can go over writing, editing, reading, research, your aspirations and more, with or without a specific project— no repeat commitment required.

  • APPLICATION SUPPORT: For help with artist residency and/or grant applications, including a one-on-one Q&A and a review of statements and/or artist bios. An expert eye helps.

  • MONTHLY MENTORSHIPS*: NEW OFFER : Scheduled hourly sessions for accountability, ideating, progress tracking, career advancement and more. Think out loud with me and stay on your creative track for 3 to 12 months.

I have 15+ years of experience as a writer, editor and teaching artist. Book your 15-minute call to discover more.

Clarisse Baleja Saïdi is represented by literary agent Heather Schroder at Compass Literary.