Rachel Webster

Rachel Jamison Webster is an award-winning author and professor of creative writing. Her book, “Benjamin Banneker and Us: Eleven Generations of an American Family” was chosen as a “Best Book of 2023” by The New Yorker and an Editor’s Pick by the New York Times. Her book, “Mary is a River,” was written in the voice of Mary Magdalene to meditate on love, grief, and the rightful role for Mary as partner and priestess. This book was a finalist for the National Poetry Series.

Rachel is the founder of Meditative Creative Writing, which combines meditation and creative writing instruction to help people to access the writing that only they can write. Her online courses and in-person intensives include guided meditation, writing prompts, curated readings, and community. This combination of writing and spiritual work allows students to transcend their limitations, to access inspiration, and to write what is most needed for personal and cultural healing.

Located in Illinois