You've learned to read some hieroglyphic texts, but don't know what to do next and have lost your momentum
It feels like you hit a wall and can't reach that next level with hieroglyphs
You bought a bunch of books on hieroglyphs, but they are a huge step up from what you know now, so you're left spinning your wheels
It feels like it’s so much harder to make progress without an expert who really knows what they are doing to guide you and check your work with confidence
It can be so difficult to make progress on your own, especially when life gets busy
You've worked with a book or study group, only to end up with unanswered questions, feeling like you are left hanging
You know you could make so much more progress, but you need expert support and feedback to keep you from getting stuck on the difficult bits

Saving hundreds of hours by knowing exactly what to work on next to keep making progress and reach that next level with reading real ancient Egyptian texts
Reading REAL ancient Egyptian texts, such as the Book of the Dead, tomb and temple walls, heart scarabs, historical accounts, and more (not grammar textbook examples)
Having expert guidance from an Egyptologist, without having to be enrolled at a university
Feeling confident that you are learning the right things to get you to the next level and avoiding pitfalls along the way
Staying on track and moving forward, even when life gets busy, with a supportive community of fellow Egyptophiles
Speeding up the learning process by having a clear direction with practical lessons and feedback from an Egyptologist
Working with the ancient texts that excite you the most, knowing that you have an Egyptologist in your back pocket to help you at any time.
Walking into a museum and reading the hieroglyphic texts to your friends and family - and maybe even getting mistaken for a tour guide or Egyptologist (yes, this really happens!)

In the early stages of learning hieroglyphs, there are lots of resources to help you as a beginner.

But no one really talks about the "messy middle" of hieroglyphs...

Back when you started out, you read some beginner books -- or maybe you even took a beginner course, like my Scribal School -- and you made progress.

You entered the exciting world of reading ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs! Now you can read things like kings' names and titles, the offering formula, and maybe even some tomb and temple wall scenes too.

You've browsed photographs online, visited museums, or maybe even taken a trip to Egypt to use your new skills -- and that was amazing!

There's only one problem...

You want MORE.

You want a deeper understanding of the culture through it's art and writings. You want to read more hieroglyphs at first sight and with confidence.

You want to let go of the intimidation you feel when reading about Egyptian grammar and have a good understanding of how the language works -- and impress yourself!

You want to read longer and more complex texts, like the Book of the Dead, stories, historical accounts, letters, and more of the texts you'll see on artifacts in museums -- such as heart scarabs and Tutankhamun's gold mask.

But the higher-level, Egyptian grammar books you've tried are an enormous step up and leave you feeling defeated or with your eyes glazed over.

Less talked about than beginning with hieroglyphs is this middle stage where many get stuck.

You're no longer a beginner, but you're not yet where you want to be.

If you've ever taken up a sport or exercise routine, this makes a ton of sense.

When you first started out, you were out of shape, so it wasn't easy. But you were able to master the basics with some basic training, maybe even on your own.

Fast forward a bit -- you're no longer a complete beginner -- yay! You feel stronger, and you feel accomplished!

But then you hit a plateau.

Your progress seems to just stop. You hit a wall.

The practice and exercises that got you here might help you maintain what you have, but they're not getting you any further.

You look for other training routines to improve your performance, but everything out there seems like it's made for competitive athletes who have 5+ hours a day to work out!

If you're feeling like you hit a plateau like this in your studies -- you're in the messy middle of learning hieroglyphs.

There comes a point in your studies when what got you here just will no longer cut it.

As a mid-stage learner, you need a step-by-step path with customized support from an expert who is in the trenches WITH you.

Everyone might start out in the same place and start making progress in the same way.

But back to our fitness analogy: what works has changed.

Your pace and progress are different from the next person's -- some have built more muscle, others less, and still others have quit entirely.

By the middle of your journey, no two people's situations are the same.

That's why what you need at this stage is an expert-created path to incremental progress, so you can leave that plateau behind, step-by-step.

You need the eyes and brain of an expert on your studies and interests, giving you the customized support, guidance, and feedback you need to keep making progress.

You also need to be surrounded by a community other Egyptophiles who are serious about going beyond introductory level hieroglyphs -- Egyptophiles who know exactly what it feels like to be in the messy middle with hieroglyphs, just like you.

While no two journeys will be the same, there is power in the shared experience and it's a lot more fun and effective than trying to tackle more advanced texts on your own.

What got you here, won't get you there.

As you try to reach the next level, there are only so many times you can "try it one more time" on your own before it's clear that you need to try something different.

I was also able to pick out so many more words and meaning in scrolling through Instagram this week.

"Melinda certainly breaks any stereotypes surrounding stuffy, quiet academics. She made the learning process fun, accessible, and applicable. While there are TONS of books and web pages on learning hieroglyphs, you jump into practical reading and translating through this program.

Melinda does a great job at reducing complex topics into easy-to-understand ideas without sacrificing any information. She also contextualizes information and gives a lot of great historical and cultural information for a comprehensive understanding which you otherwise never learn through books.

Not only do you gain invaluable instruction from Melinda, but finding a small community with which to interact is really fantastic!

I first purchased a book on hieroglyphs in 1st grade and have passively studied since. Now, just a few weeks in, all the parts of hieroglyphs and Egyptian I've had rattling around in my brain over the years are finally starting to coalesce.
I was able to get through all the sample stele with relative ease and that felt fantastic!

I was also able to pick out so many more words and meaning in scrolling through Instagram this week. It really felt like proper payoff for committing to studying!”

— Bradley Grochocinski

Working with Melinda is the best possible way to learn this language.

"I was hesitant on my own end financially, but it was well worth the cost, time and effort to be able to learn to read this language. It opens up a whole new world.

Working with Melinda is the best possible way to learn this language - she knows how to gradually give you the information in a method that builds upon previous lessons.

I am so glad I took this program, and look forward to continuing in it and learning all I can. It is such a blessing to be able to learn this and be taught by someone with as much education, experience, and enthusiasm!

If you have a desire to learn to read hieroglyphs, you should not hesitate to do it! Go for it! You will not regret it!"

— Julie L.

I could visit 2 great Egyptian collections in London and read some of the stelae on display!

“I have had a lifelong passion for Ancient Egypt, but I was worried that learning to read hieroglyphs would be too hard, or I would not be able to make sense of them. I also worried about time commitment to the course and balancing with my busy work/life.

I can now read texts written by the ancients!

The thing that amazed me the most was that (after only a few weeks) I could visit 2 great Egyptian collections in London and read some of the stelae on display!

Melinda’s teaching style is well-suited to adult learning and she makes things easy to learn.

She is passionate about Ancient Egypt and I see that passion when she delivers her courses. It’s just fantastic to have a teacher who is as passionate about a subject as you!

I also greatly appreciate that this course is virtual, which means I can take part, even though I’m in Australia.

If you have a passion for Egypt, or have wanted to learn to read Hieroglyphs, just do it! Melinda is a wonderful teacher and I love her method of teaching."

— Shannon Beresford

FAQs

Am I a good fit for Master Scribes?

Does this sound like you:

You consider yourself at the “middle” stage of learning hieroglyphs – you’ve been at it for a little while and have learned to read some common texts, such as the offering formula and royal names and titles (or beyond) – but you want to take things further and learn to read next-level texts, like the Book of the Dead, historical accounts, and even start reading parts of stories, letters, wisdom texts, and medical texts.

If this is you, I encourage you to apply.

What if I’m a beginner? Can I still join Master Scribes?

This program is designed for ambitious learners looking to get to the intermediate level or beyond. If you’re a beginner, my introductory program, Scribal School, is probably the right fit for you.

But – if you’re a beginner with a fire in your belly and you love the idea of committing to the process, learning quickly, and using the coaching and support in Master Scribes to accelerate your progress, then I encourage you to apply. As part of Master Scribes, you’ll get instant access to my introductory course, Scribal School, so you can get started ASAP.

How do I know if Master Scribes or Scribal School would be the better fit for me?

If you’re a beginner and want to read the most common texts you’ll see in museums and on trips to Egypt, then my introductory program, Scribal School, is likely a great fit for you.

But, if you already have some Egyptian under your belt and/or you want to go beyond royal names and titles, the offering formula, and the most common captions and speeches on tomb and temple walls, then Master Scribes is probably the best fit for you – apply and we can discuss what the best fit for you would be for you to reach your goals.

Do I get to work with Melinda 1-on-1?

The group program is set up to provide plenty of direct support from me (Melinda) on calls and in the private community. The space is intentionally limited to allow for me to personally answer questions and give feedback and guidance. Plus, you’ll benefit from the genius of your peers.

How do I find out all the details, key features, & investment?

Apply for Master Scribes and I will personally review your application. If there's a mutual fit, I will send you all of the details and an invitation to join.

What happens after I apply?

I (Melinda) will be personally reviewing your application in order to understand your goals and whether those align with our objectives in Master Scribes. If there is a mutual fit, you will be invited to secure your spot in this limited-capacity program.

How long is the program and when do we start?

Our official 6 months starts on March 24, but you get bonus access to the learning portal, which includes Melinda’s foundational courses and exercises – Scribal School, Queen Nefertari’s Egypt exercises, Set up for Success – as well as the current Master Scribes curriculum upon enrollment, so you can work ahead and hit the ground running in late March.

I still have questions – can I talk to someone?

Absolutely! DM me (Melinda) on Instagram (@voicesofancientegypt) or email me directly at melinda@voicesofancientegypt.com.

I was able to explain a temple text to my whole tour group.

"I was worried whether I would have enough time, but wanted to learn by other means than just a book and flash cards.

Now I feel more confident approaching texts and (on my last trip to Egypt) I was able to explain a temple text to my whole tour group.

There’s a bit of a high/rush you get when you take these strange symbols and ‘decode’ it to something recognizable.

This is a great program that will equip you with the tools, techniques, and accountability to make great progress in learning to read hieroglyphs.

I highly recommend this course if you have always wanted to learn hieroglyphs!"

— Dave Lassanske

Learning a dead, visually poetic language, from absolute zero to the point of reading parts of monuments, within 2 months

"My biggest hesitation was that I was afraid I’ll fail at learning Middle Egyptian.

I can’t even begin to describe how much I have enjoyed this course! Learning a dead, visually poetic language, from absolute zero to the point of reading parts of monuments, within 2 months is win enough.😂

You are an exceptional lecturer and your students are lucky to have you❤️

And the community??!! I’d never imagined to meet such wonderfully curious, helpful and imaginative people on an online forum!!

Just bloody well join it!! Take it from another person who thinks too much!"

— Marysa Alexander

It's one of the best "you can be proud of yourself" moments I ever had.

"The beginning of my journey was a rollercoaster. I started with Middle Egyptian grammar books which are great in the beginning, but it became a nightmare to a point where i was about to give up on it.

Now I'm actually able to read parts of temple/tomb walls or coffin inscriptions, names of kings and queens, and combined with learning parts of its history it is truly a beautiful skill to learn.

That change is one of the best "you can be proud of yourself" moments I ever had. The more I started working on, the more I became aware that I was now actually translating real texts that I just couldn't ever grasp when I was working with books.

Without Melinda I would never have gotten this far and I am glad she will be my teacher in the future.

If you are interested to actually being able to translate and understand hieroglyphs, I would heavily recommend you this over any grammar book in the world!

Melinda is a great teacher, and many could learn a lot from her ways of teaching and the freedom that goes with it.”

— Nicky Broers

It gives me access to a history that many view as purely artistic yet unknowable

"When I watch Egyptology programs on TV, I can now pick out cartouche names and phrases, which is just as thrilling. I also make it a point to visit Egyptian collections wherever I go—most recently in Dublin—and it’s so rewarding to recognize some of the texts as a starting point. Hieroglyphs have become something I can approach and begin to decode.

The change feels incredible, as it gives me access to a history that many view as purely artistic yet unknowable. Even learning new vocabulary is thrilling. In fact, I went so far as to change the vanity license plate on my Jeep to 'wrryt'—the word for 'chariot. lol

If you enjoy puzzles or mysteries, hieroglyphs are perfect for you. Scribal School and Master Scribes provide manageable words, phrases, and artifacts that make learning both accessible and rewarding."

— Bob

If we haven’t met at a conference, online Egyptology talk, or Mardi Gras…

Hi, I’m Melinda -- Egyptologist and teacher (online and in the university classroom), human and cat mama, tea drinker, and introvert who enjoys Mardi Gras -- especially the Egypt-themed parades, of course!

And ooof! The road from lover of all things ancient Egypt to Ph.D. to teaching people like you (the best part!) has been exciting and exhausting all at once.

Let’s rewind over 20 years to when I was just starting out…

I’d wanted to learn hieroglyphs for years, but could never stick with a book for more than a few chapters before I would either get overwhelmed by the complexity or sidetracked by life. I felt like I never made any real progress. And I wouldn’t be surprised if at some time -- maybe even right now -- you’ve felt this same way too.

Grad school gave me the structure and accountability I craved to keep me on-track, but…
We learned the traditional way, spending most of a year working through an Egyptian grammar book, and I felt totally overwhelmed by having to learn two languages at once - not just Egyptian, but all of the grammatical terminology that was foreign to me.

I improved (slowly!), but still felt that the typeset examples, mostly from literature, were not helping me much when it came to reading what I saw in museums.
I knew then -- sitting at my desk at home, studying late into the night with a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie beside me -- that when it was my turn to teach, I HAD to find another way, a way that would demystify the learning process and get my students reading common texts from the start.

Fast-forwarding over a decade...

I loved presenting my research, giving public talks, and teaching students ages 18 to 80. I loved seeing the joy, understanding, and sense of accomplishment wash over my students when lightbulb moments happened.

I wanted to help so many more people than the hundreds I had reached in my university classroom, in museum auditoriums, and at conferences so far. But how?

Then it came to me one day when I decided to watch a little YouTube while my one-year-old took a nap -- watching a book summary video, something just clicked! THIS is how I can help more people, online!

Years of teaching online later, there’s nothing that gives me greater joy than teaching people like YOU how to walk into a museum with confidence and immediately start reading the hieroglyphic texts.

I do what I do because…

There was a time when I struggled to learn hieroglyphs on my own. There was a time when I *still* struggled to learn hieroglyphs and apply what I learned to reading the texts I saw in museums, even with formal classes. There was a time when my own students struggled to understand what the text we were reading really meant.

Then I shifted my focus to reading and teaching the hieroglyphs I see in museums and on trips to Egypt. That changed everything. It brought a feeling of accomplishment, a feeling that I CAN do this. A feeling that YOU can do this too. Now I see these feelings of understanding and accomplishment in my students all the time.

That’s what I want for YOU, too.

MASTER SCRIBES

So you've got some experience with hieroglyphs, but...

What if you had the resources and expert support you needed to keep making progress and deepening your hieroglyphic skills?

Imagine...

In the early stages of learning hieroglyphs, there are lots of resources to help you as a beginner.

But no one really talks about the "messy middle" of hieroglyphs...

The less talked about "messy middle" of hieroglyphs is where many stay stuck.

If you've ever taken up a sport or exercise routine, this makes a ton of sense.

You don't have to quit your job, dedicate 5+ hours a day, or go back to university to progress beyond beginner hieroglyphs.

As a mid-stage learner, you need a step-by-step path with customized support from an expert who is in the trenches WITH you.

This is the spot where most people quit, but not you.

THIS IS MASTER SCRIBES

"The only way to learn to read Egyptian better would be to invent a time machine and go and talk to King Tut himself. And I still think you’d be better off with Melinda."

Here are highlights of what

YOU WILL READ

(Available immediately)

HEART SCARAB AMULETS

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

GODS AND GREATS

TUTANKHAMUN'S ARTIFACTS

THE BOOK OF THE DEAD

LETTERS AND LITERATURE

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, AND WHEN

AUTOBIOGRAPHIES

PHARAOH AND FAMILY

MEDICINE AND MAGIC

EVENTS IN HISTORY

TOMB WALL SCENES

"I can now read texts written by the ancients!

The thing that amazed me the most was that I could visit 2 great Egyptian collections in London and read some of the stelae on display!"

Over our 6 months together, we will be adding to the curriculum and the texts we’ll be reading, based on the needs of the group.

Here's a sample of the types of texts we may add to the curriculum

during our 6 months together:

THE BOOK OF THE DEAD SPELL 125

SHABTI FIGURINES

COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEAD

HISTORICAL EVENTS

ANCIENT ADVICE

ROCK INSCRIPTIONS / GRAFFITI

“I was able to explain a temple text to my whole tour group.

There’s a bit of a high/rush you get when you take these strange symbols and ‘decode’ it to something recognizable.”

How we do it

QUICKEST PATH TO READING HIEROGLYPHS

I GOT A PH.D. SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO

READ REAL ANCIENT EGYPTIAN TEXTS

A CUSTOMIZED EXPERIENCE

EXPERT AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT

BUILT-IN ACCOUNTABILITY

“I went to an exhibit showing replicas of some of King Tut's artifacts. I stood in wonder gazing at the hieroglyphs that now made sense to me.

Melinda is a phenomenal teacher. In my experiences in undergraduate, graduate and law school, I rate her as my best teacher.”

What you'll get

AN EXPERT'S EYES AND BRAIN

NEW WORKSHOPS, LESSONS, AND/OR EXERCISES EACH MONTH

2 GROUP Q&A CALLS WITH MELINDA PER MONTH

ALL-ACCESS PASS

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE COMMUNITY

REPLAYS OF ALL Q&A CALLS