Welcome to Pen & Mend

Online gatherings and community for those in search of inspiration, healing, and hope through writing—hosted by writer, former English teacher, certified writing coach, and journaling advocate Kristin Vanderlip.

Hi, I’m Kristin Vanderlip—writer, artist, and founder of The Pen & Mend Collective.

Pen & Mend is a private membership community for those who believe writing is both healing and formative—mending and shaping not only your own life, but also the world around you.

This space is for those who journal regularly, compose essays or poetry, write (or dream of writing) books, or long to cultivate an intentional and sustainable writing life.

Some of us write to process grief.
Some of us write to create beauty.
Most of us are doing both.

This space is here to help you show up for your writing life by offering rhythms, motivation, accountability, and encouragement.

What you’ll find here and why you should join P&M

Within P&M, I offer a rhythm of online gatherings—writing rooms, workshops, and conversations—designed to help you create the space, write the words, and stay connected to your practice. In this space, writing is not about performance, pressure, or perfection, but about the inner process and transformation that comes through listening, tending, and mending your life through writing.

Although writing is an individual practice (only you can write for you), it happens best in community. P&M gatherings invite you into a sacred community experience with meaningful connections.

I know that most of us are living full, complicated, and sometimes exhausting lives. This is my way of offering something steady and accessible you can turn to for support in your writing life.

Whether you’re penning prose, poetry, or prayers—whether you’re just starting, returning, or continuing to tend to your writing practice—you’re welcome here.

As a member of Pen & Mend, you’ll receive access to:

• Monthly Writing Rooms
  Dedicated time and space to bring your journal or writing project and write while enjoying the quiet companionship of others doing the same

• Monthly AfterWords conversations
  A time for community, reflection, questions, sharing (if you want to), and casual group coaching

• Monthly events and workshops
  Such as Word by Word (focused on craft and play), Write Your Grief (focused on catharsis and expression), a guest workshop, a guest Q&A, or a book club.

• Access to a growing library of replays
  So you can return to the work in your own time and rhythm if you can’t join our live gatherings

• A supportive community
  Engage at your level of comfort and need by participating in our live virtual gatherings, the comment sections, and chat threads with other writers

Why this space exists

I created Pen & Mend because writing has been one of the most healing and life-giving practices in my own life.

It has helped me survive what felt impossible.

It has grounded me and given me wings.

It has helped me create a life worth living when I struggled to find one.

It has helped me (re)connect with myself, with God, with hope.

Over the years, as a former English teacher and certified writing coach, I’ve watched writing do the same for others, and now I’m spreading this power and passion through Pen & Mend—and you’re invited!

Community expectations

This space is created to be sacred and communal, rooted in care, respect, and shared humanity. While my work is shaped by a Christian faith background, people of all faiths, beliefs, and backgrounds are welcomed and respected here. I ask that members treat one another with kindness and consideration at all times.

There is no tolerance here for racist, homophobic, transphobic, or ableist language or behavior. I reserve the right to remove anyone who behaves in ways that feel harmful or uncivil to the community.

Memberships

• A monthly membership subscription is $19 (you can pause, cancel, and return at anytime).

• Annual membership subscription is $200 (which gives you more than a month free plus extras!). You’ll also receive a snail mail welcome package from me, including a welcome note, a sticker, and a prose & a pastel print by me. *Important: You must email hello@kristinvanderlip.com with your snail mail address to receive your welcome packet.

If you choose an annual membership, please note that refunds are not offered if you change your mind. If you’re unsure, I recommend starting with a monthly membership, which can be canceled at any time.

If you’re having trouble finding emails or posts, check your spam or promotions folder and mark messages as “not spam” to ensure they reach you going forward.

Lastly, in the event of travel, sickness, or sabbath when monthly gatherings cannot be held, I will send a note and pause membership for that month so you will not be charged.

If you’d like to see any offerings, workshops, events, etc. added or changed, please kindly reach out. Your input is important in shaping this space!

About me

Kristin Vanderlip is a writer, oil pastel artist, and certified writing coach with a background in English and education. She is the founder of The Pen & Mend Collective, hosted on Substack, and writes at The Mending on Substack.

Her work is shaped in part by her experiences as a military spouse and bereaved mother—realities that have deeply informed her understanding of grief, spirituality, and the healing power of creative practices.

Kristin is the creator of Rest: A Journal for Lament and Rise: A Journal for Perseverance, and her creative work also includes small-batch oil pastel collections that explore emotion, faith, and the beauty of the natural world.

Her writing has been featured by (in)courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, DaySpring, and other publications, and she has collaborated with organizations like Project Sweet Peas, The STEPS Foundation, and MADD to offer writing and journaling programs and workshops for those navigating grief and hardship.

Kristin lives in California’s Bay Area with her husband, sons, and Golden Retriever. When she’s not creating, she enjoys being a baseball mom, hiking with her family, and volunteering at the library.

Find more information and visit the shop at KristinVanderlip.com.

Connect on Instagram here.

To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.