Northwestern Qatar Professor Sam Meekings is the co-editor of The Scholarship of Creative Writing Practice: Beyond Craft, Pedagogy, and the Academy, a new book providing a comprehensive and transdisciplinary exploration of the complex and multifaceted nature of creative writing practice.
Published by Bloomsbury, the book is the first of its kind to delve into the intricate and multifaceted nature of creative writing practice. Departing from traditional scholarship that often focuses solely on pedagogical methods, it offers a fresh perspective on writing life as experienced by a diverse array of international writers and academics.
The book features contributions from creative writing scholars around the world and a chapter by Meekings exploring the relationship between mental health and writing practices. Other topics include the mythic nature of creativity, writers' social responsibility, writing challenges during times of duress, and the role of academics and writers in creative writing.
“In today's landscape, where academic, creative writing programs are increasingly adopting a pragmatic, industry-focused stance, there is a growing need for students to be moderately prepared to monetize their skills upon graduation,” said Meekings, associate professor in residence and mentor for the school’s literary and creative writing journal Wisteria. “By offering a multi-national perspective and actionable strategies, we aim to equip students and instructors with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the writing life."
This book is part of a collection of scholarly works published by Northwestern Qatar faculty this year. “Expanding our depth of academic scholarly work, Meeking’s book demonstrates prowess in the creative writing space, as well as its relevance to industry practitioners,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “It presents creative, imaginative, and transdisciplinary approaches to this increasingly important field.”
The Scholarship of Creative Writing Practice: Beyond Craft, Pedagogy, and the Academy is now available for purchase online. For more information, click here.
