The Writer’s Studio releases new essay collection for writers
For every writer who’s ever faced a blank page feeling discouraged and alone, The Writer’s Studio program at SFU offers a beacon of light in the form of a new book. Edited by program director Andrew Chesham and coordinator Laura Farina, Resonance: Essays on the Craft and Life of Writing will be released later this month by Anvil Press.
As the Writer’s Studio approached the 20th year of its creative writing program in 2021, Chesham and Farina had been searching for ways to celebrate the milestone. They settled on the concept of a collection of essays by writers for writers.
“We kept coming back to this idea of all the conversations that have happened in and around the program in those 20 years,” says Chesham. “It’s our favourite part of our jobs, getting to talk about writing with other practising writers. We wanted to capture that in some way, to invite anyone who wants to be in on these conversations into our writing community.”
Resonance is meant to offer encouragement and let readers know that no problem they face in their writing is insurmountable, adds Farina. “Lots of writers struggle with procrastination, or structure, or feelings of crippling insecurity. That’s the best part of being in a writing community—all the camaraderie and whining,” she laughs.
The book includes 43 personal essays covering strategies for pre-writing, writing and revisions, as well as thoughts on the writing life and the world of writing. Farina and Chesham invited contributions from alumni, mentors, instructors and other members of the Writer’s Studio community, among them established authors Jen Sookfong Lee, Betsy Warland, Aislinn Hunter, Wayde Compton, Caroline Adderson and Carleigh Baker.
Alongside award-winning authors and poet laureates, Resonance also includes emerging writers. Chesham says he’s excited to introduce readers to these talented new voices and to inspire writers at every stage in their career.
“Our goal for everything we do is always more writing from more people,” he says. “We hope that this book helps people move forward in their writing practice or project and feel less alone with the challenges they’re facing.”
Resonance: Essays on the Craft and Life of Writing will be available from independent booksellers and other retailers, including Indigo and Amazon.