Lipscomb’s women writers nurture each others' literary accomplishments
Authors Tessa Sanders, Holly Allen, Leanne Smith and Donita Brown support each other through writing, publishing and work in academia.
Lydia Coffman |
Leanne Smith (right), associate professor in the College of Business, at a fall 2021 book signing on campus, promoting her latest novel Alone in a Cabin.
For many professors, teaching at Lipscomb extends much further than the classroom. Instructors often spend their additional time producing research, conducting experiments and preparing course materials.
For College of Education Assistant Professor Tessa Sanders, her endeavors outside the classroom also include coordinating a discussion group of prolific women writers who are all members of Lipscomb faculty.
Sanders works and writes alongside fellow full-time and adjunct faculty Holly Allen, Donita Brown, Leanne Smith and Denis’ Thomas, a group which has produced six published books in just the past few years.
Donita Brown, instructor in the College of Business, publishes life lessons in the “Wisdom from Others” series.
“We each have different writing projects ranging from publishing academic books, personal writing projects, book chapters, dissertation writing and e-books,” says Sanders.
Denis' Thomas
“We discuss our personal and professional writing projects. We mentor and encourage each other and share ideas, tips and experiences related to writing. Often our discussions go beyond writing to topics such as our faith, being women in academia and our identity as writers,” she said.
The group was established intentionally as a nurturing place for writers at Lipscomb, but it just so happened that only women showed up for the first meeting, said Allen, professor of family science and Christian ministry in the Colleges of Bible and Ministry and Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The group writes “fiction, textbooks, blogs, parenting and ministry books. Some of the processes are similar—marketing, publishing, speaking about our work, publishing and the actual work of writing” she said. “We have much in common though our areas of expertise and interest vary.”
Since the group coalesced:
- Allen recently released Forming Resilient Children: The Role of Spiritual Formation for Healthy Development. Allen has published three books previously and edited a compilation of academic papers presented at the Intergenerate conference, an academic conference on multi-generational worship and spiritual development.
- Thomas, former faculty and current adjunct in the counseling programs, published two books on the topic of wellness: Wellness That Works and Overcoming Challenges and Creative Play Therapy with Adolescents and Adults: Moving from Helping to Healing. Thomas also hosts a weekly podcast called Wellness with Dr. Denis’ for those who work in helping professions using creativity.
- Brown, instructor in the College of Business, published Life Lessons from Loss, the third in her four-part “Wisdom from Others” series. Brown is now working on her fourth. She also released Calling the Play: Setting Your Team Up for Success in 2021.
- Smith, associate professor in the College of Business, published Alone in a Cabin, the fourth of her Christian fiction books to be published.
- Sanders, assistant professor in the College of Education, has written several presentations for academic conference and more personal projects such as trainings and episodes of her podcast called 5am Miracle.
Holly Allen, professor of family science and Christian ministry, teaching at the Intergenerate conference, which she spearheads.
Last fall, both Allen and Smith were featured in an event where Lipscomb writers showcased their recently published books. Both Smith and Allen included the group in their recent book acknowledgements as it is a “pretty special group that seems to be encouraging prolific writing,” said Thomas.
“This group of women has rejoiced and celebrated together when a publication is released,” says Allen. “Most people do not understand the long, agonizing process of birthing a book. This group gets it.”
The group also offers these women a place of growth and support even beyond their professional writing: “Being a woman in academia has some unique challenges. We often discuss issues such as balancing family and work responsibilities, navigating institutional changes and interpersonal relationships,” says Sanders.
“I have received so much strength from the women in this group, all of whom have been in my shoes. I think our conversations have gone deeper and wider, since we are able to talk about so many similar experiences,” she said.
Tessa Sanders
When collaborating, the authors hear how each others’ written stories and life stories intertwine. The group’s professional lives as Lipscomb professors “are interwoven into the process of writing, sharing and encouraging,” says Allen. “We understand at an experiential level the parameters of each others’ lives—we are wives, mothers, professors, writers and Christ-followers.”
For Sanders, the group provides her with a space to work alongside professionals who share a common passion. “Writing can be cathartic,” says Sanders. “The women in this group seem to have an understanding of how different types of writing can help you heal, rejuvenate, innovate and move through challenging life situations.”
The group is unique as each member is diverse in age and discipline. Smith says that it has “been a joy to hear about and keep tabs on the projects of the other women in this group, and to see early-stage dreams and ideas grow into reality.”
“The members of this group have really listened to where I am with my different writing projects and have encouraged me to lean in or step back when I needed it. Compassion and empathy are hallmarks of this group,” says Sanders. “We’ve weathered many highs and lows together during our time together, and it is such a blessing to call these ladies my colleagues, mentors and friends.”
