Snežana Ratković wants to get the word out about a new Writing Studio available at Brock University.

While the plan was initially to launch the studio this past February, the research officer and her Faculty of Education colleagues had to reimagine its concept in a virtual environment due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Writing Studio is now offering several online workshops a week, particularly aimed at graduate students. These include weekly Writerly Wednesdays and mindfulness sessions open to all students. The studio is also offering themed workshops and one-on-one consultations.

An idea developed in 2019, the studio is envisioned as a gathering space for workshops, institutes, mindful writing activities, speaking events, one-on-one consultations, writing retreats and proofreading and editing services.

“We wanted to support graduate students, faculty and writers despite the changing times,” Ratković said of the decision to move the events online. “Those supports are needed, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing. Many students and writers feel isolated and it’s hard to stay motivated and inspired.”

She hopes that building a community around the studio will provide participants with support, motivation and writing skill development.

Since joining Brock 15 years ago, Ratković has been involved in organizing academic writing retreats, teaching advanced writing seminars, and facilitating academic writing and publishing workshops.

While the Writing Studio was inspired by academic writing centres and writer-in-residence programs at other universities and institutions, it is unique at Brock because of the range of services offered and audiences welcomed.

“Our Writing Studio is envisioned as a community of scholars in which mentorship and peer-learning advance writing skills for students, scholars, professionals and creative writers,” said Ratković.

The studio will offer a comprehensive set of services to graduate and undergraduate students, active and retired faculty members, staff members, alumni and members of the community with an interest in writing and publishing.

As the Writing Studio continues to grow, Ratković and her colleagues aim to provide more opportunities for writers to experiment with creative and innovative methods while building their writing skills. The studio will also support the publishing process of Faculty of Education journals.

To learn more about the Writing Studio events, visit ExperienceBU.