Writing Out Loud is a delightful handbook which, as stated in the introduction, is “designed to take you on a bit of a journey.” The writing journey provided by this well laid out book encourages instructors and learners to take some risks with their writing and provides support and reassurance along the way.

Writing Out Loud is published in a binder format. It has clear headings and a structure which makes it very easy to use. It is divided into eight sections: Getting Ready, Starting Out, Having Fun, Taking Risks, Building Confidence, Feeling Good, The Bibliography and The Chapters Cafe.

Getting Ready discusses the handbook’s use and design, how best to use the exercises in the book and the history of the Chapters program - a learning readiness program in Camrose, Alberta from which the handbook arose. It also asks possible questions that instructors might have about this writing process and provides thoughtful answers.

The next five sections of the handbook are chock-full of accessible writing ideas. First, the author, Deborah M. Morgan, methodically outlines each idea. Then, by providing writing examples from her students, she carries us along with them on this wonderful journey. Next, she usually gives suggestions for adapting each idea. Finally, Morgan generously provides us with insightful reflections on how the writing idea worked with her group.

Each instructor who field-tested this handbook noted that the writing topics sometimes led to intensely personal, intimate writing. Morgan is aware that not all students might feel comfortable writing about sensitive topics and thoughtfully suggests variations for those who might want to use them. Some comments of instructors who have used Writing Out Loud: “..was one of the most inspiring and useful tools I used this year.” and “I have used examples in the books as writing starts in themselves.”

As Morgan states in the handbook, Writing Out Loud is more than a series of writing exercises. It is a resource about how the learning of the students and instructors who work with these exercises can be processed and valued so that the learning can be real and meaningful to everyone. The author and contributors to this valuable resource must be congratulated on the success of their efforts.