University of Akron Press to Launch Series on Self-Care for Writers

The University of Akron (UA) Press, in collaboration with Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Center in Akron, is excited to announce it will launch “Finding a Shell: How to Care for Yourself as a Writer,” a four-part workshop series on self-care for writers, beginning Saturday, April 26. Each of the four workshops is free and open to adults writing in English. The first 20 people to register for each workshop will also receive a free book from The University of Akron Press.

The project, consisting of four 1-hour workshops, is funded by the Akron-based organization ArtsNow through its grant program, which provides resources to support the Akron/Summit Cultural Plan’s 10 key priorities. The University of Akron Press’ project is one of 29 that were selected from proposals received in 2024.

“We know that literature builds strong communities by fostering intellectual curiosity, enhancing literacy skills, and creating a sense of belonging,” said Brittany LaPointe, marketing and sales manager for the UA Press. “The question becomes how do we build a community of readers and writers in Akron? And it really can be as simple as meeting writers in the community and supporting them by teaching them what self-care for writers might be.”

Inspiration for the project came from the essay collection “A Mollusk Without a Shell: Essays on Self-Care for Writers,” edited by poet and associate professor of English at Lake Superior State University Julie Brooks Barbour and Dr. Mary Biddinger, chair of the English department at UA, director of the NEOMFA and editor of the Akron Series in Poetry, which was created from the editors’ desire to expand their understanding of the ways writers care for themselves during challenging times. The workshops will be led by contributors from the essay collection and will directly address myriad issues many writers face, including sustainable creative practices, ways to find or generate revenue streams, and how to tackle the business of being an artist.

“Self-care is often an overlooked aspect of being a writer,” said LaPointe. “We’re excited to offer writers these strategies as well as a create an opportunity for them to leave each workshop with a new piece of work that they can take home and build on.” 

The workshops, which will be held on four consecutive Saturdays from noon to 1p.m. beginning April 26 and ending May 17 inside The Well CDC at 647 E. Market St. in Akron, will provide writers with a well-rounded understanding of the business of being a writer, from goal-setting to professional networking. 

The workshops include:

• Saturday, April 26: The Business of Self-Care for Writers: A Workshop on Goals and Artistic Growth led by Dr. Mary Biddinger
• Saturday, May 3: Notions of Home: Finding Our Safe Places and Spaces led by author Sarah Freligh
• Saturday, May 10: The Art of Balance: How Managing Professional Networking Can Be Self-Care led by poet and Associate Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, Dr. Abayomi Animashaun
• Saturday, May 17: Building the Community: How Writing Socially is Self-Care led by former UA Department of English Lecturer Mixby Dickon

Register for each workshop at the links above on Eventbrite.