Carl Sandburg High School Visiting Writers’ Series welcomed back one of its own Friday, as 2011 graduate Becky Wills returned to campus to share her debut novel and speak with students.
Wills, who grew up in Orland Park, attended Sandburg before earning a degree in creative writing from DePaul University. She later pursued graduate studies in New York City, where she obtained her MFA, and went on to complete a doctorate in creative writing in London. She now teaches creative writing in England.
Wills, who now lives in London, visited during fourth hour in the school’s performing arts center, marking a full-circle moment for the former student turned published author.
Returning to her alma mater, Wills reflected on the impact the school had on her path.
“It’s really so good to be back,” she said. “I absolutely love reading and I love writing and I realized it here.”
Her debut book, Stun: A Novel in Pieces, was released March 31 by Tortoise Books. The novel is set in the fictional Chicago suburb of New Lawn and follows a young woman navigating a turbulent home life shaped by an emotionally distant father and a troubled mother struggling with addiction.
“It was the inspiration for my book,” Wills said, noting the story draws from her own experiences growing up during the early days of the opioid epidemic, told through a fictional lens.
Told in a fragmented, introspective style, the story traces the protagonist’s coming of age as she grapples with identity, relationships and isolation. As she grows more self-reliant, her internal world becomes both a refuge and a source of conflict, particularly as she confronts her own complicated relationship with the prescription drug at the center of the story.
“Stun focuses on addiction, trauma and family,” Wills said. “It is a pretty heavy topic, but it has affected so many of us.”
School officials said they were “thrilled, honored and beyond proud” to welcome Wills back, highlighting the significance of hosting an alum whose work reflects both literary ambition and personal depth.
Visiting Writers’ Series at Carl Sandburg High School brings established and emerging voices to campus, offering students a chance to engage directly with authors and gain insight into the writing process. Wills’ return underscored the program’s mission to inspire students by showcasing the achievements of its own graduates.
