Writing in an Age of Anxiety, a workshop with Sara Billups

Not all eras are anxious like this one. In this timely workshop led by author Sara Billups, you’ll explore how anxiety—personal, collective, ambient—can be a catalyst for creative thinking. Committing to your work in the presence of personal and systemic anxiety can sharpen attention, deepen imagination, and serve as a companion leading to a greater sense of purpose that offers grounded hope to writers and readers.

With a focus on essays, memoir, and other narrative forms, this program is designed to energize writers and welcome creative thinking in this cultural moment. Short readings, generative prompts and workshops will be matched with spacious time for work and rest. Alongside peers, you will consider if anxiety can be a companion—not to work despite, but rather in the midst of—to surface more human, honest, and meaningful work.

The Collegeville Institute will cover travel expenses to and from the workshop within the continental United States, all workshop fees, and room and board. International travel costs, and travel from Hawaii and Alaska may be shared between the Collegeville Institute and the workshop participant. Those who join the workshop will be expected to reside at the Collegeville Institute throughout the entire workshop.

Sara Billups is a Seattle-based author and cultural commentator whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Christianity Today, Aspen Ideas, and others. Her books include Nervous Systems (2025) and Orphaned Believers (2023). Sara earned a Doctor of Ministry in the Sacred Art of Writing at the Peterson Center for the Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary.

Applications close Sunday, January 18, 2026. Apply here.