Our wounds are the openings to our deepest selves. The craving for connection in these soft and tender places and the instinct to seek out witnesses to our scars are universal. But how can we ensure we are writing toward healing, rather than retraumatization? And how do we write ethically about those who have hurt us? Panelists working in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic storytelling will discuss their personal experiences and best practice principals for writing trauma ethically.

As part of the Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference, Maggie Smith will join Roxane Gay, Saeed Jones, Aubrey Hirsch, and Sumita Chakraborty for a virtual panel discussion, which will be made available to conference attendees.