About

Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing is a book series containing peer-reviewed collections of essays—all composed by teachers for students—with each volume freely available for download under a Creative Commons license. Writing Spaces aims to build a library of quality open access textbooks for the writing classroom as an alternative to costly textbooks.

Each series collection contains engaging essays from different writing teachers in the field and explores important topics about writing in a manner and style accessible to both teachers and students. In each chapter, authors present their unique views, insights, and strategies for writing by addressing the undergraduate reader directly. Drawing on their own experiences, these teachers-as-writers invite students to join in the larger conversation about developing nearly every aspect of their craft. Consequently, each essay functions as a standalone text that will easily complement other selected readings in first-year writing or writing-intensive courses across the disciplines at any level. While the early volumes will focus on instructional texts for first-year composition, future editions may feature texts for writing in the disciplines and professional writing classrooms.

Because the essays are Creative Commons licensed, PDF electronic versions of each series edition and each individual essay can be downloaded from this website. Teachers can freely share these texts with other teachers or prepare printed course packs without need for copyright clearance. For those who would like professionally printed copies for their classes, printed versions of each series edition will be available for purchase through Parlor Press.

Savings for Students

With your participation, Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing will provide an alternative to ever escalating textbook prices at a time when many students and their families face difficult economic circumstances. As the book series progresses, the Writing Spaces website will become a library of free to download essays on a wide range of topics for your students in first year composition, writing across the disciplines, and professional writing classes. 

After picking and choosing from the selection of essays, teachers will be able to link to the individual electronic texts or put together printed course packs without paying costly licensing fees. Printed versions of each book in the series will also be available for purchase through Parlor Press. 

Building a Community

The Writing Spaces project is not only a textbooks series. We are a community of individuals who see the value in open educational resources for writing education. Check out our masthead to meet some of the people involved, and send us an email to learn about opportunities to join the community.

Get Started

Teachers looking to adopt Writing Spaces‘ curriculum for their class can browse individual volumes, or check out our Essay Clusters feature. Writing Spaces also offers an Activities and Assignments Archive.

Information for Authors

Prospective authors can check out our Submissions page to learn more about how to contribute to Writing Spaces.