OUR MISSION
Own Your Life Writing offers educational tools and resources to give people the confidence, skills, and support to explore, process, and write their own life experiences, which promotes positive mental health and well-being, self-worth, and personal expression. We facilitate in-person and virtual workshops and events for people to create and share their life writing with others, encouraging people in communities to engage and connect in a personal and meaningful way. We are growing an archive of real stories both digitally and in-print to preserve social history, create opportunities for writers to have their stories read, and allow readers to learn and understand from writers with varied experiences and backgrounds. Our books are handmade by independent small press publishers, encased in our signature letterpress printed dust jackets to showcase the writing of our workshop participants.
Own Your Life Writing is a registered Community Interest Company. If the company makes any surplus, it will be used for reinvesting in activities aligned with social objectives.
WHO WE ARE
Becky Wills
Founder
Becky received a BA in English from DePaul University, an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School, and a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Surrey, where she is an associate tutor. Her work focuses on narratorial voice and poetic form in stories of trauma, addiction, and coming of age, as well as her own philosophy and methodology for life writing. Becky is the author of Stun, forthcoming from Tortoise Books in 2026.
Lauren Niemier
Creative Strategist
Lauren holds degrees in both psychology and literature, and has several years of experience working in the field of trauma informed care, with an emphasis on unconditional empathy. She is an avid creative and life writing enthusiast, and a supporter of Girls Write Now, a nonprofit organization that creates a space and support system for girls’ development as women and writers. Lauren creates and manages content for both digital and print publications.
TESTIMONIALS
“I've uncovered parts of myself I hadn't fully acknowledged before, and I feel more connected to my voice and others' stories. It's been a profoundly healing and empowering experience.”
“It's not just a writing workshop, it's a space to feel safe, be seen and finally bring thoughts, memories, and feelings to paper – ones that had circled my mind and body for years. For once, I didn’t need to ‘get it right.’ I just needed to let it be real. Now my story is at home in my body.”
“I have written more than forty pages of memories and have a lot more to write about. It will probably take me years to write everything I want to write about, and that is OK. I am not in a rush; I am just enjoying the experience.”
“I found it to be deeply cathartic and highly enjoyable. Reflecting on my diverse upbringing across countries as a New Zealand expat now living in Michigan brought a fresh perspective to my experiences. It was a rewarding way to connect with my story and express it creatively."
“I have boosted my self-awareness — my ability to perceive and understand the things that make me an individual (personality, values, emotions, thoughts, etc.) and how my environment (culture, religion, education, friends, family, partners, etc.) has influenced how I react to things or what I believe.”