Simon Fraser University Canada’s “Restraints on the Impassive Soul: Confinement in English Poetry of the Long Eighteenth Century” and “Blossom, Fade, and Die Away: English Poetry of Youth and Aging in the Long Eighteenth Century,” open access course books.
2026 Library Publishing Showcase Week: Engaging Students
Restraints on the Impassive Soul: Confinement in English Poetry of the Long Eighteenth Century
Blossom, Fade, and Die Away: English Poetry of Youth and Aging in the Long Eighteenth Century
Published by Simon Fraser University, Canada’s Digital Publishing Series
This anthology of little-known eighteenth-century English poetry was created by students in Engl 320. Each student selected a poem from the Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive based on a shared theme, researched the author, wrote a headnote, edited the poem using class-established principles, and added explanatory footnotes.
Describe the impact of your resource?
Students gained a c.v./resume publication with an ISBN and hands-on experience with peer editing and editorial workflows. Many felt more confident as scholars and writers and could share tangible results with friends and family. The project also brought greater attention to little-known poets, especially women and writers from diverse backgrounds.
Why library publishing?
Library publishing offered a convenient way to support the home institution while providing students with a professional platform for their work. The partnership gave the class flexibility over content, formatting, layout, and cover design—control that isn’t always available through traditional publishing. Because the projects were embedded in coursework, publishing made learning more authentic and increased student engagement and ownership. Library publishing also supports peer editing and factchecking, helping students build practical editorial skills while producing scholarship they’re proud to share.