Feature Story
Finding Meaning through Poetry: Alumna Ella Foutz’s Debut Book Prepares for Release
When Ella Foutz (‘24) was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in high school, she turned to writing as a way to make sense of her experience. One night, in a rush of creativity, she began putting her thoughts into words–a moment that would later inspire her debut poetry collection, “Lullabies for the Insomniacs,” set to be released November 4, 2025 by Lerner Publishing Group.
“What began as a way to find meaning in my own suffering became something much larger,” said Foutz. “I want to share that meaning with others. Not just for those who have struggled like me, but for anyone going through life’s ups and downs. It was important for me to write this book because I thought I was alone and I wasn’t. That sounds cliche, but it’s not.”
One of the book’s dedications reads, “To my 16-year-old self, who I wasn’t there for, for whom I should have been, who I know is still out there, and whom I am trying to be there for Now.” Foutz says that message drives her desire to reach young readers.
“I know a similar 16-year-old self can be found in thousands of students in middle schools or high schools around the country,” she said. “So getting my work into school libraries and book fairs is a huge way that I’ll be able to reach those kids.”
Foutz began shaping her first manuscript at age 18 and continued refining it at Southern Virginia University in a creative writing seminar taught by best-selling author Orson Scott Card. She finished the manuscript before serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and shared it with Professor Card upon her return to the university.
“He gave me very few notes,” Foutz recalled. “Then he said, ‘I might not see this again until it’s on the bestsellers list. But whether there’s an audience of 100 or 100,000, there’s an audience for this book.’ After that, he started talking me through the publishing process.”
Grateful for his support, Foutz began submitting her manuscript to poetry presses that didn’t require an agent. One of those presses, Andrews McMeel, advanced her work to its editorial board but ultimately didn’t have space to publish it.
Encouraged by their feedback, Foutz took their advice to seek representation. Six months before graduating from Southern Virginia, she signed with Liz Nealon, president of Great Dog Literary. Then, on the day of her graduation in May 2024, Foutz received the email she had dreamed of: her book had been accepted by Lerner Publishing Group.
“This has been the goal for so long,” said Foutz. “Literally since I was six it’s been a restless itch in the back of my brain to be published.”
Looking back, Foutz credits Southern Virginia University for shaping both her writing and her sense of self. As a liberal arts major concentrating in theater, philosophy, and English, she found an environment that encouraged creativity and honest exploration.
“I really feel like this is a place where people can bring all their questions and struggles before God and feel supported wherever they are in that journey,” she said. “This book is about how I’m not alone, and SVU was critical in helping me realize that.”
“Lullabies for the Insomniacs” will be available online and in stores beginning November 4, 2025. For those in the Buena Vista area, preordered copies are available through Leaf and Lore, which will also be signed by the author.