HSS Humanities Center: Powering Writing

The HSS Humanities Center (HSSHC) runs several initiatives to support HSS faculty as they write and publish their research and creative activity.

Drop-in Faculty Writing Space

This venue offers faculty members engaged in research a dedicated space in which they can work in quiet and in community with others in drafting the excellent scholarship for which our College is rightly known. Complementary light refreshments are provided all hours the space is open. The space is located in the Map Room of the Cartographic Information Center, located at 313 Howe Russell West.  Beginning Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, the Drop-in Faculty Writing Space will be open throughout the Fall 2024 semester on Monday/Wednesday/Friday 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Tuesday/Thursday 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Second Book Institute

Making the transition from a first to a second book can be challenging. LSU's Second Book Institute (SBI) helps faculty overcome writing obstacles, finish manuscripts, and navigate book publication. The SBI assists faculty in book-based disciplines at every stage of the writing process, from formulating and completing the manuscript to publishing the book. Fellows at the SBI receive detailed feedback on their work in progress, peer mentorship, and guidance from editors at university presses. Click here for more on the SBI, which runs in the late spring each academic year.

The SBI also hosts the Momentum Workshop Series, featuring works-in-progress by SBI alumni. For a list of upcoming workshops, click here to learn more about HSSHC events.

Writing Communities

The HSSHC facilitates connecting interested HSS faculty across departments and units with small writing groups (which meet every 2-4 weeks to share 5-10 pages of new work with one another) and/or with one-on-one faculty writing partners (who offer accountability, encouragement, and insight). If you are interested in signing up for a group or a pairing, write to Chris Barrett via email at cbarrett@lsu.edu.

Book-Writing Events

Throughout the year, the HSSHC hosts events that demystify the process of writing and publishing monographs. From formulating a scholarly book’s argument to crafting a compelling book proposal to discerning which publishers to approach, HSSHC events help faculty advance their research into the publication pipeline. Visit the HSSHC Events page and like LSU HSS on Facebook (@LSUHSS) or follow on X (@LSUHSS) and Instagram (@lsu_hss) for event announcements and details.