Dr Joanne Limburg

Field: Creative Writing

Courses taught at ICE: MSt in Creative Writing; Creative Writing: Introduction to Writing Poetry; Creative Writing: Introduction to the Lyric Essay.

What is your academic or professional background?

I began as a poet, publishing my first collection, Femenismo, in 2000. Since then, I have published two more collections for adults, one for children, a novel and three non-fiction books. One of these, Small Pieces, formed the creative part of my PhD in Creative Writing, which I received from Kingston University in 2017.

Why should people consider studying your subject? 

Even if you have never thought of writing professionally, there’s something so satisfying about being able to express yourself in written language. The practice you gain in playing close attention to language will improve your general writing skills, whatever your field. And it’s creative writing; it’s serious play, you’re making something. Who doesn’t enjoy making stuff?

How is your subject relevant to our current world? 

People will always need to engage with language, whether as speakers or listeners, readers or writers. Writing creatively enables us to better formulate our thoughts about ourselves and the world in it.

Where do you write? 

In my office in the loft.

What has been the most influential book for you as a writer? 

Probably Wild Mind by Natalie Goldberg. It’s about writing as a practice, and about the writing life.

What do you love about your subject? 

I get to make something. I get to be part of a conversation that’s been going on since language began. I find out what I really think and feel. And it’s equally satisfying to facilitate that process in other people.

What are you currently working on? 

I’m in the very early stages of researching a possible next novel, about a group of 18^th Century bluestocking women who tried to set up an ideal community, and failed.

What books have you published? 

Non-fiction: Letters to my Weird Sisters: On Autism and Feminism, Small Pieces: A Book of Lamentations and The Woman Who Thought Too Much, all from Atlantic Books. The novel A Want of Kindness, also from Atlantic. Poetry collections Femenismo, Paraphernalia and The Autistic Alice, from Bloodaxe Books, and the children’s collection, Bookside Down, with Salt Publishing.

How did you get involved in continuing education? 

Continuing education was where I first learned to write, so as soon as my first book was accepted, I approached Cambridge County Council to see if I could run some classes. Since then, I’ve worked for the WEA, the Open College of the Arts and the Open University.

Learn more

Find out more about Creative Writing courses at ICE.