DANBURY, CONN. — Writing is a lonely profession — that’s why Anne Witkavitch, a graduate of the Master of Fine Arts in professional writing at Western Connecticut State University, is trying to bring writers together through an anthology. And the response has been overwhelming.

Witkavitch, who earned her M.F.A. in 2007 after 20 years in the corporate world, started a home-based communications consulting business to satisfy her passion for writing. Then she started “Press Pause Now,” through which she created a coaching and retreat program for women who want to reshape their career paths as writers. The next session is scheduled for Oct. 3 in Litchfield.

“It’s a chance for women to rethink, refocus and reenergize,” said Witkavitch, who lives in Bethany. “We tend to focus on the real big picture and everyone else’s needs. We don’t press that ‘pause’ button.”

The anthology she is compiling is a chance for women to tell their stories of how they “switched gears” and decided to fulfill their passions to become writers. “Women have great stories to tell,” Witkavitch said. To date, she has received 24 stories from women all over the country with “excellent writing credentials.” Submissions for the book are being accepted until late September.

“I think women support and encourage each other through those stories,” Witkavitch said, stressing that the timing of the book is fitting. “This is a time when we’re dealing with a recession and both men and women have been taking stock of their lives and recognizing that this is a good opportunity to pursue other avenues.”

Witkavitch, who will teach undergraduate writing courses in the fall at WestConn, hopes that the book will appeal to a wide audience but expects it will attract the most attention from women from 35 to 55. “I do think this is primarily for women who have had life experience and come to that point where they have decisions they need to make to fulfill themselves.”

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486 or visit the anthology Web site at www.ppnanthonologyseries.wordpress.com.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.