Badgerdog Writing about Trauma

Writing about Trauma

The worst things that ever happened to us can be the hardest things to write about—and also the most important. Writing is a therapeutic activity that reframes and may even release trauma, while sharing your story can help other people going through similar situations. In this workshop, we’ll analyze how various authors working across genres like memoir and horror have purged their trauma to the page and try our hands at different methods of meaningful self-expression. No one will have to share who doesn’t want to, so don’t let fear keep you from joining us. This is a safe space. Everyone is welcome!

Jess Hagemann’s debut novel Headcheese won a 2019 IPPY Award in Horror. Her sophomore novel Mother-Eating was named a “Most-Anticipated Horror Book of 2025” by Paste Magazine and made Bloody Disgusting’s list of Best Horror Books of 2025. In 2026, she wrote the officially licensed novelization of the movie Burning Palms for Encyclopocalypse Publications. More at jesshagemann.com

The Badgerdog Creative Writing program includes workshops for all ages, classroom-based lessons, and youth camps to inspire and guide our up-and-coming writers. Badgerdog is a program of The Library Foundation, which offers a range of enriching cultural and educational community programs for all ages in close partnership with the library.