Special Guest Speaker: Natalie Eve Garrett is an artist and a writer. She's the editor of THE LONELY STORIES, a cathartic collection of personal essays from 22 celebrated writers (including two Yale Women) exploring the joys and struggles of being alone, out now from Catapult. She's also the editor of EAT JOY (Catapult, 2019), a collection of stories exploring how food can help us cope in dark times, and THE ARTISTS' AND WRITERS' COOKBOOK (pH Books, 2016). A graduate of Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design, Natalie lives with her husband and two children in a town just outside DC, along the Potomac River.

If you’re feeling lonely or if you’ve ever felt unseen, if you’re emboldened by solitude or secretly longing for it: Welcome to The Lonely Stories. This cathartic collection of essays illuminates an experience that so few of us openly discuss. Some stories are heartbreaking, such as Jesmyn Ward’s reckoning with the loss of her husband and Dina Nayeri’s reflection on immigrating to a foreign country. Others are witty, such as Lev Grossman’s rueful tale of heading to the woods or Anthony Doerr’s struggles with internet addiction. Still others celebrate the clarity of solitude, like Claire Dederer’s journey toward sobriety and Lidia Yuknavitch’s sensual look at desire. Thoughtful and affirming, The Lonely Stories reveals the complexities of an emotion we’ve all felt—reminding us that we're not alone. 

Join a community of YaleWomen writers on Zoom to share successes and challenges, exchange tips on the craft and business of writing, and remind ourselves that all of our stories matter. All writers are welcome, regardless of genre, medium, or level of experience.

Second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 pm EST/EDT.

You'll receive an email with the login info after you RSVP. Hope to "see" you on Zoom!