ABOUT US

Wellness & Writing Connections is the labor of love for Dr. John F. Evans, EdD. Over the last thirty years, John has maintained his conviction that writing is good for those who write. It is well-documented in the literature of several fields that wellness and writing can be connected in ways useful for emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Much of this work was pioneered and sustained by James Pennebaker and many others who work in counseling, healthcare, and education.

Several years ago his passion for writing and healing convinced him to establish a conference to provide a resource for those like-minded people who write and for those working in the healthcare and counseling professions who wish to include writing as part of their practice. There were struggles and successes. And now we have an amazing "family" of people who continue to find ways to enhance their own wellness and then wellness of others.

VISION

Wellness & Writing Connections is a community of professionals and lay people examining the interdisciplinary connections between overall health and expressive or creative writing as a therapeutic practice.

MISSION

Wellness and Writing Connections provides a forum for the exchange of information about research, theory, practices and resources among practitioners and lay people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. The resulting interdisciplinary synergy supports individuals who write toward wholeness, affirming that an intentional practice of creating and composing in words and images contributes to physical, mental, and spiritual health.

THE CORE TEAM

John Evans

John is the founder and Executive Director of Wellness & Writing Connections. He spent many years as an English teacher, college professor, and eventually Associate Dean, all the while writing and teaching the value of writing to others. Now he balances his time between supporting Wellness & Writing Connections and raising his latest child.

Angela Bailey

Angela serves as the webmaster, IT support, and conference coordinator for Wellness & Writing Connections. Because she is married to John, she has seen him write in his notebooks for years and sees the positive power of writing on his well-being. While she maintains a "day job" as a product marketing manager for a large telecommunications company and plays mom to Zachary, she enjoys supporting her husband in following his dreams. She especially loves seeing and chatting with those who support us at the conference each year!

Satia Renee

Satia is tireless in her support as the editor of the newsletter for Wellness & Writing Connections. She has worked with John since he was a professor at Kennesaw State University. She is a writer and reader.