Esmé Weijun Wang

At The Unexpected Shape Writing Academy, we harness the power of storytelling to empower writers facing life's challenges. I have a MFA from the University of Michigan and a BA in Psychology from Stanford as well as a Whiting Award, selection as one of the decennial Best of Young American Novelists by Granta, and winner of the Northern California Book Award for Nonfiction. I am the author of the novel The Border of Paradise and the New York Times-bestselling essay collection The Collected Schizophrenias, won several awards for its insight into a heavily stigmatized mental health condition. I also give popular keynote talks about working with limitations and the stigma toward mental illness. Random fact: I was a crossword clue in the NYT. As the founder of The Unexpected Shape™, my mission is to create a haven for ambitious writers with limitations. I blend my advocacy for chronic mental and physical illness into our curriculum. The Academy reflects my dedication to melding immersive writing with poignant social commentary, fostering a community where creativity thrives against all odds.