Welcome! My name is Gemma Cooper-Novack, and my life and work revolve around writing.

Photo by Sean Riva
As an education researcher, currently a doctoral student at Syracuse University, I focus on the intersections of writing pedagogies and social justice, the development of writer identity in community, and the significance of arts education and creative writing in literacy education in and out of school.
As a practicing writer—a poet, a playwright, a fiction writer, and an academic writer-researcher—I derive joy and purpose from my connection with a range of academic, literary, and artistic communities.
As a writing educator and writing coach, I am invested in supporting writers who struggle with structure and practice and teaching in both community education and school settings.
I would love to talk to you! Please feel free to look around the site and contact me below!
Testimonials
You were my favorite enrichment teacher that I ever had.
Marco
student, age 10
Gemma sets reachable weekly goals that have helped me a leave a serious year or two of writer's block.
Abra
writer
Gemma never sees a room full of students, but rather a room full of humans ready to explore and experience the world together.
Virginia
educator
"[P]laywright Gemma Cooper-Novack's articulate exploration of the issues doesn't seek convenient targets for blame … [it] strive[s] to remind audiences that conflict in faraway lands is not without its repercussions right here at home.”
Mary Shen Barnidge
Gemma helped me pass the writing portion of the communication/literacy MTEL! She provided me with useful strategies that made the test so much easier.
Joanna
student teacher
Get in Touch
Contact me to collaborate on writing, editing, education, and theater!