aimee liu

ALCHEMY OF THE WORD: Writers Talk About Writing

A collection of essays about the practice and life of writing, edited by Aimee Liu & Nicola Morris. All contributors are members of the faculty of the Goddard College MFA program in creative writing.

In this remarkable collection of essays, twenty-five acclaimed novelists, poets, playwrights, memoirists, cross-genre and nonfiction writers engage the reader in a virtual literary conversation, filled with passion, insight, wit, and warmth.

The Goddard MFA was the first low-residency program in creative writing; now there are around fifty operating in the United States. Program Director, Paul Selig says, “What greeted me at my first Goddard residency was the kind of community I had never dreamed possible… the faculty – well, they were teachers of the first order, and I found their dedication to shepherding a new generation of writers came from a place of deep generosity, wisdom and integrity.”

Alchemy of the Word introduces you to this faculty—not through their writing tips, tricks, and exercises, but through their experiences of themselves as professional writers living in the world, tackling issues they care about deeply and reporting back. To read this anthology is to travel to the wellsprings of literary inspiration, and to eavesdrop on a room full of mentors.

RESTORING OUR BODIES, RECLAIMING OUR LIVES

“A terrific book with a compelling interplay between the perspectives of professionals and the stories of people who have successfully recovered from eating disorders. Highly informative and a great read.”
—B. Timothy Walsh, MD, Columbia University

This book establishes new ground by walking the reader through the entire recovery process, from the initial turning points at the start of the odyssey to reclaiming one’s life after an eating disorder.
— Judith D. Banker, past president, Academy for Eating Disorders


I’ve read countless books about eating disorders, but I’ve never seen one quite like this! Combining the professional wisdom of leading experts with personal experiences from women and men all over the globe, Aimee Liu’s Restoring Our Bodies, Reclaiming Our Lives fills what was once a gap on the recovery bookshelf. Anyone who has been touched by an eating disorder needs this book.
— Jenni Schaefer, Author of Goodbye Ed, Hello Me and Life Without Ed


Liu (Gaining: The Truth about Life After Eating Disorders) offers a compilation of letters written by an array of men and women suffering from anorexia, bulimia, binge, and other eating disorders. Liu puts each of these intimate letters into helpful contexts, so that current sufferers may learn from their peers. Contributors speak of past disorders, some lasting decades; others count an eating disorder as an ongoing struggle. With clinical notes and information on new and unique approaches, Liu's effort offers something for everyone effected by this issue, whether personally, peripherally, or professionally. About choosing a therapist, Liu urges readers to avoid adherents to current approaches that focus on diet alone, an important component to treatment, yes, but only the tip of the Eating Disorder iceberg. Liu's book isn't a guide to uncovering the psychology behind an eating disorder, but it clearly shows that relief from suffering can be found in the stories of other sufferers.
Throughout the book are informative sidebars written by leading professionals in the field, addressing essential topics such as finding the right therapist, the use of medications, exploring complementary treatments, and how family members can help.
— Publishers Weekly