It's the end of the world, and Pinckney Benedict knows it...

SIUC's apocalpyst-in-residence, fiction writer and professor Pinckney Benedict, is the subject of this profile:
the end is nigh

Hearty Congrats

to Josh Woods (MFA '09, fiction), who has been offered and has accepted a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in English at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, IL! Way to be gainfully employed, Josh!

and to Mark Brewin, second-year poetry MFA student, who writes, "New Letters has selected my poetry manuscript as a finalist in their 2009 Poetry Contest."

Way to make Mama proud, guys!

Congrats to Tim Marsh (MFA '06)!

News from Tim Marsh (MFA '06, fiction):

My nonfiction piece "Gym Bag Steak" has just been named runner-up in the Toasted Cheese "A Midsummer Tale" writing contest. It'll appear in the September issue of Toasted Cheese Literary Journal. I also placed my first poem "Car Accident" in the inaugural issue of Squid Quarterly. 

Congrats, Tim!

LINKS:

Toasted Cheese
Squid Quarterly

BONUS: Rachel Furey (MFA '09, fiction) also appears in the same issue of Squid Quarterly as Tim!

Rachel's "In Front of the Aquarium"

Welcome to Carbondale, New MFA Students!

MFA Carbondale is pleased and proud to welcome the following writers to the SIUC MFA Program:

Leslie Adams, Poetry

Ruthie Awad, Poetry

Bryan Brower, Fiction

Jung Hae Chae, Poetry

Katie Darby, Fiction

Shawn Mitchell, Fiction

Nick Ostdick, Fiction

John Owen, Poetry

Jonathan Travelstead, Poetry

Adrienne Rivera, Fiction

So glad you could join us in the 'Dale!

Pre-Semester Workshop Breakout Session: August 20

A note for returning and new MFA students:

Our annual "breakout session" during the English Department's Pre-Semester Workshop will be on Thursday, August 20. This year, the breakout sessions will be preceded by a reception for all graduate students at 3:15 in the new library's Special Collections Room. Then, at four, we'll head to Faner Hall 1222 for our session.

I will have gifts and food for all!

Poemspotting: Justin Hamm (MFA '05)

SIUC MFA grad Justin Hamm (MFA '05, fiction) continues to publish poetry! Here's a link to a poem of his in the new issue of Oak Bend Review (scroll down some to see the poem):
Oak Bend Review

Congrats to Mark Brewin!

Congrats to second-year poetry MFA student Mark Brewin:

Ms. Joseph,

My poem "Burning Down the Camper" was accepted for publication in Southern Poetry Review. Nice.

-mark brewin.

LINK:
Southern Poetry Review

"Rhymes & Stuff" Recalled

Former SIUC faculty poet Joel Brouwer recalls Adrian Matejka's (MFA '01) early 2000s radio show "Rhymes & Stuff" in a post on the "Harriet" blog:

Poetry Foundation

Joel is now on the faculty at the University of Alabama, but he's remembered fondly in C'dale.

Travis Mossotti Author Appearances: August 2009

Third-year MFA student in poetry Travis Mossotti will have two upcoming author appearances in August 2009. He'll read from his work as part of the annual River Styx Hungry Young Poets summer series and will also read at the premiere party for the next issue of the California-based poetry journal RATTLE:

LINKS:
Hungry Young Poets, St. Louis, MO:
Hungry Young Poets, STL

Rattle Summer Reading and Release Event, Santa Monica, CA:
RATTLE

Allison Joseph to receive the Aquarius Press Legacy Award

SIUC poet and faculty member Allison Joseph has been chosen to receive the inaugural Aquarius Press Legacy Award, the purpose of which is "to spotlight a woman writer of color from the Midwest who has yet to gain high exposure and who is also actively involved in providing opportunities for other writers."  Aquarius Press, based in Detroit, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in October 2009.  
Allison will attend the award ceremony in Detroit on October 3, 2009. Among the other writers in attendance that night will be SIUC MFA grad Curtis L. Crisler.

In terms of the award itself, there's a cash prize of $500 and the 2010 issue of the journal Reverie: Midwest African American Literature will be dedicated to Allison's work.

LINK:

Aquarius Press

An Easier Link for Ordering Curtis Crisler's book

Here's an easier-to-use link for ordering Curtis Crisler (MFA '04, poetry)'s new book:

Willow Books, an imprint of Aquarius Press:
Pulling Scabs

Alumni Sighting!

Cynthia Roth (MFA '01, poetry) has a poem in the current issue of Dusie--she's on page 301 with "Figure Bet."
LINK:
DUSIE

Alumni Sightings!

Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum (MFA '09, poetry) has a review of Ciaran Berry's collection The Sphere of Birds in the new issue of the Southern Indiana Review.
LINK:
Southern Indiana Review

Adrian Matejka (MFA '01) will read from his poems on Saturday, August 1 in Chicago as part of Word: Across Generations along with Quraysh Ali Lansana, Angela Jackson, FM Supreme and Kevin Coval, 3:00pm – 5:00pm, Perry Mansion Cultural Center in Englewood, 7042 South Perry Ave, Free. Open to the public. Reservations are recommended and can be made online, by email at events@prairie.org, or by calling 312.422.5580. Each of the poets will perform their work and participate in a post-performance conversation, moderated by spoken word artist Kevin Coval about the power of words. This program is part of The Public Square’s "Looking for Democracy Through the Arts," made possible in part by the Woods Fund of Chicago.

Also, click here for a radio interview Adrian did with poet Kevin Coval:
WBEZ

Curtis Crisler (MFA '04, poetry)'s new book, Pulling Scabs, is now available for purchase from Aquarius Press:
Aquarius Press Order Site

Congrats to Hannah New!

Good news from third-year MFA student in poetry Hannah New. Two of her poems appear in the new issue of The Sylvan Echo:

LINK:
The Sylvan Echo

The poems are "Phantom Fruits" and "Proving My Uncle Wrong."

Congrats, Hannah!

Catching Up With Teresa Kramer (MFA '04)

A recent note from Teresa Kramer (MFA '04, poetry). She currently works at Central Washington University, where she directs the university's Writing Center.

My poems have or will appear in the "Iguana Review" and "Not A Muse: the inner lives of women, a world poetry anthology" -- both of which I heard about through your CRWROPPS list. I so appreciate it. I hardly send anything out these days, but your e-list makes it both easier to think about submitting and almost shameful not to.

LINKS:
Iguana Review
Not A Muse
Teresa's Writing Center Bio

Congrats to Kerry James Evans!

Kerry James Evans (MFA '09, poetry) has very good news:

I just received my issue of New England Review--a humbling and rewarding gift. Also, I've had two acceptances this month: Fugue accepted "Colloquium" and The Comstock Review accepted "Junking Your First Car."

All the Best,

Kerry James

Congrats, Kerry James!

LINKS:
Fugue
Comstock Review

Congrats to Shanie Latham (MFA '08)

Great news from Shanie Latham (MFA '08, fiction):

I was offered (and accepted) the Managing Editor position at River Styx. Allison, I'll add my thanks to you for CRWROPPS because I wouldn't have known about this position without it.

Best regards,
Shanie

Congrats, Shanie! The folks at River Styx are getting a real gem!

LINKS:
River Styx
CRWROPPS

Poemspotting: Justin Hamm (MFA '05)

A note from fiction grad (MFA '05) Justin Hamm:

I'll have a poem, "at sixteen," in the August edition of decomP if anyone is interested in checking it out.

LINK:
decomP

Mixology: A Best Seller!

SIUC poetry grad (MFA '01) Adrian Matekja's new book, Mixology, is that rarest of things, a poetry bestseller!
Details here
Poetry Foundation

Poemspotting: Spoon River Poetry Review

The new issue of the Spoon River Poetry Review contains work by SIUC MFAs, both past and future ones. MFA '09 poetry grad Kerry James Evans has two poems ("Operation Noble Eagle" and "Scarab), MFA '05 fiction grad Justin Hamm has his poem "meditations on a kiss" in this issue, and incoming MFA student Ruthie Awad has two poems ("Wine Glasses" and "The Storm From Here") in the issue.

Congrats to all!

LINK:
Spoon River Poetry Review

More Congrats for Tim Marsh (MFA '06)

Here's e-mail from Tim Marsh (MFA '06, fiction)!  Congrats, Tim!  What a great time to be in Vermont!

Hey Allison--

It's my turn to give thanks for organizing and moderating the CRWROPPS site. 

I just received news that I've been selected for a fellowship and residency at the Vermont Studio Center, beginning September 25th. Along with the residency I've been offered a $650 artist's grant. The center is located in the northern Green Mountains in the town of Johnson. 

I first heard about the center through the Writer's Opportunities list. Without that posting I never would have applied for the residency. So thank you.

All the best,

Tim

LINKS

Vermont Studio Center
CRWROPPS-B

Congrats to Tim Marsh (MFA '06)!

The steady stream of acceptances continues for Tim Marsh (MFA '06, fiction):

Hey Allison--
 
Hope Young Writers went well. Some news on the nonfiction front: My essay "Drowning" will appear in the 2010 issue of Words and Images. Also, my story "Impetus for a Sketch" did in fact make the cut for the summer issue of The New Quarterly, which will be out in mid-July sometime.
 
All the best,
 
Tim

LINKS:
Words and Images
The New Quarterly

Alumni Sightings!

Poet Melanie Jordan (MFA '01) has a new chapbook from Ropewalk Press!

Information about Ghost Season at

Ropewalk Press

Fiction writer (MFA '09) Rachel Furey's prize-winning story "Birth Act" is now out in the new issue (Summer/Fall 2009) of Sycamore Review:
Sycamore Review

Fiction alums Josh Woods (MFA '09) and Rachel Furey (MFA '09) have stories in new fiction anthology, XX Eccentric, just published by Main Street Rag:
XX Eccentric

Congrats to Matt Guenette (MFA '99)

Congrats are also in order for Matt Guenette (MFA '99, poetry):

"Found out Sudden Anthem was voted a 2008 Outstanding Achievement in Poetry by the Wisconsin Library Association. SIU goodness marches on..."

Wisconsin Library Association

Congrats to Mark Brewin!

Congratulations are also due for second-year poetry student Mark Brewin:

Allison,

I am pleased to announce that my poem "Burning Down the Camper" has been selected as one of the finalists for the Guy Owen Prize at the Southern Poetry Review. The prize is $1,000 dollars, and I will find out the outcome no later than the first week of August. Fingers crossed...

-mark.

Pretty good for a kid from Jersey, eh? Congrats, Mark!

LINK:
Southern Poetry Review

Congrats to Melissa Scholes Young!

Some news for second-year fiction writer Melissa Scholes Young:

I wanted to let you know that I've been awarded a one week writing residency to Writers in the Heartland in September. A week alone at a spa with vegetarian meals sans bebes? Yeah, I can do that.

Writers in the Heartland

Congrats, Melissa!

Congrats to Greg Schwipps (MFA '98)

Congrats to Greg Schwipps (MFA '98, fiction) on being named a finalist in the Emerging Writer category of the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award!

LINK:
Indiana Authors Award

CRWROPPS comes through again!

Jason Brown (MFA '08, fiction) sings the praises of CRWROPPS in this post...

Allison,

I won a scholarship to the DePaul Summer Writing Conference, July 17-19. My essay, "My First Time in Japan Visiting In-laws" was chosen as the judging committee’s favorite. Along with the scholarship, I’ll be giving a reading as part of the conference’s closing session at the Chicago Public Library’s Pritzker Auditorium. If not for CRWROPPS, I wouldn’t have even known about this.

Thanks,

Jason

You are welcome, Jason!  As the moderator of the CRWROPPS list (aka Creative Writers Opportunities List), I'm always happy to hear when folks succeed with information they've gotten from the list.  As SIUC's MFA program director, I'm doubly pleased to hear one of the scholarship winners is from the ranks of our alums! Congrats, Jason!

Congrats to Chris Allen (MFA '07)!

It pays to check the blog. Witness this note from Chris Allen (MFA '07, fiction):

Allison,

I just wanted to pass on some news:  My story "An Acute Lack of Perspective" has been accepted at The Wanderlust Review.  They said they may split it into two sections, but some or all of it should be up on or shortly after their relaunch on July 1.

I also want to thank you for maintaining the bulletin board.  I would not have known about this publication opportunity if I hadn't seen the news about Tim's story on the board.  In short, you rock.
Sincerely,
Chris Allen

Congrats, Chris!  And thanks for the compliment. You all make it easy with the constant flow of good news!

LINK
Wanderlust Review

Ben Percy (MFA '04) in latest Poets and Writers

Ben Percy (MFA '04) has a fine essay on momentum in fiction in the new issue of Poets and Writers, but you can only read it in the print edition. So get a copy and soak up the wisdom.

Link:
Poets and Writers

Congrats to Alex Lumans!

Alex Lumans (MFA '09, fiction) continues his hot genre crossover action:

My poem "Before and After the Recovery of Uncle Ari's Body" won third place in the Midwest Writing Center’s 2009 Off Channel Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest (regional division) (and also a mouthful).  That poem and two other poems of mine that were also finalists will be published in the awards anthology Off Channel.

And a poem of mine called "At Night, the Valentine Armadillo Hides Valentine Cards" was accepted for publication in the anthology Collecting Life: Poets on Objects Known and Imagined.

Best,
Lumans

Congrats as always, Lumans!

LINKS:
Midwest Writing Center

Young Writers Workshop 2009 is almost here!

The Young Writers Workshop, SIUC's annual creative writing workshop for high school-aged writers, will be in session from June 23 to June 27th, 2009.  You are cordially invited to attend any of the readings below, which are part of this year's schedule:

 

JUNE 23^rd, 2009:

SIUC Faculty Reading: Pinckney Benedict

Faner 1326, (Harry T. Moore Auditorium), 8 PM

 

JUNE 24^th, 2009:

SIUC Graduate Creative Writers Reading:

Azizat Danmole, A.K. Thompson, Derand Wright, Katie Zapoluch

Faner Hall 1006, 4-5 PM

 

Visiting Writer Reading: Michael Meyerhofer

Faner Hall 1326, (Harry T. Moore Auditorium), 8PM

 

JUNE 25^th, 2009:

SIUC Graduate Creative Writers Reading:

Reggie Vargas, Amie Whittemore, Janelle Blasdel, Melissa Scholes Young

Faner Hall 1006, 4-5 PM

 

Visiting Writer Reading: Josh Woods and

the Versus Anthology, a Book Release Party

Faner Hall 1326, (Harry T. Moore Auditorium), 8 PM

 

JUNE 26^th, 2009:

SIUC Graduate Creative Writers Reading:

Lane Kareska, Travis Mossotti, Jenna Bazzell, Rick Pechous

Faner Hall 1005, 4-5 PM

 

Visiting Writer Reading: Adrian Matejka

Faner Hall 1325 (Harry T. Moore Auditorium), 8 PM

 

JUNE 27^th, 2009:

Young Writers Workshop Participant Reading

Cisne Auditorium, Pulliam Hall 34, 1:30 PM

 

Poemspotting: Meyerhofer on Verse Daily

Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06) is the featured poet on Verse Daily today, with a poem from his newly-published collection, Blue Collar Eulogies:

"Diagnosing God"

Michael will be in Carbondale at month's end, for a reading during the annual Young Writers Workshop. Details here:

YWW Public Readings

Later the same day, I received this note from MM:

Hi, Allison.  Got a few poetry acceptances: "The Revision" was taken by Rosebud, "Anaphora" was taken by Anon Poetry Magazine, "American Sin, 2005" was taken by Naugatuck River Review, "Tornado Alley" was taken by Boxcar Poetry Review, and "Skandha" was taken by National Poetry Review.  Hope all is well!  

That's more than a few, don't you all think? Congrats, MM!  See you soon.

Congrats to Jason Brown!

More blogginess!  More congrats!  This time for Jason Brown (MFA '08, fiction):

Allison,

Spoon River Poetry Review has taken my poem “Intersection” and the American Poetry Journal has taken my poem “Advice for the New You” which was named honorable mention in last year’s Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest.

My blank verse sonnet “Chores with My Father” which was name Honorable Mention in last year’s Academy of American Poets Prize is out in the current issue of the Tar River Poetry Review.

Also, I am giving a presentation at the Southern Illinois Writers Guild at 7 p.m., Thursday (June 18). SIWG meets in the Terrace Dining Room, off the cafeteria in the main building at John A Logan College. I am told it is open to the public.

JLB

LINKS:
Spoon River Poetry Review
American Poetry Journal
Tar River Poetry
SIWG

Congrats to Kerry James Evans!

I don't know what it is today! The good news is coming in faster than I can get it on the blog! This time the good news is from Kerry James Evans (MFA '09, poetry):

Grist took "The Iron Gate" and Copper Nickel took two poems: "Mary Magdalene Leaving Jesus" and "Atlanta."

 

-kje 

LINKS:
Grist

Copper Nickel

Poemspotting: Travis Mossotti

Third-year poetry MFA student Travis Mossotti has news too:

Dear Allison,

My poem "Crossing the Gap" is out in Rattle's summer issue, and yesterday I found out Dark Horse (a journal simul-published out of New York & Scotland) has accepted my poem "Red Roof Inn" for their forthcoming issue.

Thanks,
Travis

LINKS:
Rattle
Dark Horse

Storyspotting: Melissa Scholes Young

Second-year fiction student Melissa Scholes Young also has a newly-published story:

Hi, Allison. I wanted to let you know that I am the featured creative mom with Maternal Spark. They've published a piece of my flash fiction entitled "Silk Flowers."

Hope you are having a restful summer.
Melissa

LINK:
Maternal Spark

Storyspotting: Rachel Furey (MFA '09)

A head's up on a newly-published Rachel Furey (MFA '09, fiction) story:

Allison,

I just wanted to pass along the news that my story "Cleaning Up" is now up in the fifth issue of Freight Stories.

Hope all is well back in Carbondale.

Best,
Rachel

LINK:
Freight Stories

Ben Percy (MFA '04) reads at Ropewalk Writers Retreat

Ben Percy (MFA '04) is part of the faculty at this year's Ropewalk Writers Retreat. He reads tonight as a part of the conference. The reading is free and open to the public.
Details here:
Ropewalk Schedule

Mark Brewin checks in

Some news from Mark Brewin (second-year poetry):

ahoy there, allison.

i hope all is well in gorgeous southern illinois.  while on vacation in disney world, i received a phone call with some news that only added to the happiness: my poem "True Oysters" was selected for first place in the Delaware Bay Days Poetry Contest--which includes a lovely cash prize ($300 bucks, so i am told).  on getting the good news, i was also informed that in the poetry contest's eight year history, my poem was the first to be unanimously selected by all judges as the winning piece.  nice.  thank goodness for the CRWROPPS listserve for letting me know what is happening in my home state!  enjoy the summer heat!

Only Mark could have written this!  Congrats!

LINKS

Delaware Bay Days
CRWROPPS-B

Congrats to Tim Shea (MFA '08)

Now our other Tim (Tim Shea, MFA '08, poetry) checks in:

Hey Allison,

Good news. My poem 'Giving CPR' will be out in the next issue of Poetry Ireland Review.

-Tim

Congrats, T-shea! Taking the UK by storm!

LINK:
Poetry Ireland Review

Congrats to Tim Marsh (MFA '06)!

Another week, another story acceptance for Tim Marsh (MFA '06, fiction)!

Hey Allison--

Man, the program is really kicking arse. Great to see.

Some more news: My story, "January, Newfoundland", was just accepted as the feature story for the relaunch of the The Wanderlust Review (previously Wanderlust Journal) in July.

Congrats to all MFA's, past and present.

Tim

And congrats to you too, Tim!

PS The Wanderlust Review officially relaunches in July 2009. Until then, I'll post a link to the submissions guidelines:
Wanderlust Submissions

Congrats to Jamie Walczak!

Jamie Walczak (MFA '04, poetry) has been selected for a very special and unique honor! She has been selected by the Turkish Cultural Foundation to participate in the annual Turkish Cultural Tour for Teachers! Jamie will travel to Turkey at the end of July courtesy the Turkish Cultural Foundation and the World Affairs Council of America. Jamie will be in Turkey from July 27 to August 7, 2009! Jamie currently teaches at Herrin High School.
Congrats, Jamie, and safe travel!

Teacher Study Tour, Turkey

Poemspotting: Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06)

Check out Meyerhofer in the latest issue of the Valparaiso Poetry Review:

Valparaiso Poetry Review

Poemspotting: Jan LaPerle (MFA '06)

Check out these new poems from Jan LaPerle (MFA '06, poetry):

Quicksilver
42Opus

And a story too!
PANK

Storyspotting: Fiction Alums Percy and Simpson

Fiction alums Ben Percy (MFA '04) and Chad Simpson (MFA '05) both have stories in this exciting new anthology:

You Must Be This Tall

Review: Mixology by Adrian Matejka (MFA '01)

Review of Mixology, the new collection of poetry by Adrian Matejka (MFA '01, poetry):

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Two Finalists, One Program!

Kerry James Evans (MFA '09, poetry) writes with this great news:

Soldier's Apology is a finalist for the National Poetry Series.

Two finalists from one program is quite remarkable! Congrats, Kerry, on your book manuscript being named a finalist!

LINK:
National Poetry Series

Mossotti Strikes Again!

Travis Mossotti (third-year, poetry) is making us all proud these days:

My poems "Trivial Pursuit" & "Getting Arrested" were accepted for publication for the May 2010 issue of subtropics. Also, I just found out that my book manuscript, About the Dead, has been named a finalist for the National Poetry Series.

Congrats, Travis!

LINKS:
Subtropics
National Poetry Series

More Lumans News!

Alex Lumans (MFA '09, fiction) is the first-place genre fiction winner in this year's Press 53 Open Awards for his story "Haruspices":

Award Announcement

Poemspotting: Alex Lumans

Alex Lumans (fiction, MFA '09) has work in Redheaded Stepchild Magazine (insert ironic comment here)

Redheaded Stepchild Magazine

Congrats to Tim Marsh (MFA '06)!

Another story acceptance for Tim Marsh (MFA '06, fiction):

Hi Allison--

More news for the blog. My story "Impetus for a Sketch" has been accepted by The New Quarterly. It'll appear in either the summer or fall issue. More importantly, they actually compensate...with currency.

Shh, my beating heart.

Tim

Always nice to be paid in cash!

LINK:
The New Quarterly

Congrats to Justin Hamm (MFA '05)!

More good news from Justin Hamm (MFA '05, fiction):

Hey, Allison, some more good news: just finished tweaking a few lines in a poem called "personal day" for Cream City Review, and now they're going to use it in an upcoming issue.

Happy summer!
Justin

Keep tweaking!

LINK:
Cream City Review

Adrian Matejka (MFA '01) book release party and 2 IAC Literary Awards!

Adrian Matejka (MFA '01, poetry) is on a hot streak. His new collection, Mixology, is about to be released:

"Here is the book release party info. All the SIU folks are welcome:

Mixology Book Release
Tuesday June 2nd, 2009
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Regional Arts Commission
6128 Delmar Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63112
Regional Arts Commission

I also found out today that I won a Literary Award from the Illinois Arts Council for poems in Crab Orchard Review and Ninth Letter.

Like the family-friendly actor formerly known as Ice Cube said, "I got to say it was a good day."

I have to correct AD on one thing here--he actually received 2 Literary Awards, one from Crab Orchard Review (for the poem "Tyndall Armory") and another from Ninth Letter (for the poem "Babel by Foot"). $2000 total!

Illinois Arts Council Literary Awards

Upcoming Reading in Paducah, KY: Kerry James Evans and Abigail Wheetley

2009 MFA grads Kerry James Evans (poetry) and Abigail (Abby) Wheetley (fiction) will read as part of the River Town Reading Series on May 30th at the Yeiser Arts Center in Paducah, KY. Yeiser is located at 200 Broadway Street.

The reading will be at *8* pm, but remember Paducah is a hour's drive from the 'Dale. I recommend making a day of it, drive down early, go see the murals by the river, get an early dinner at Whaler's Catch, and then come hear Kerry and Abby.

LINKS
Yeiser Arts Center
Whaler's Catch Restaurant

Congrats to Kerry James Evans!

More good news from Kerry James Evans (MFA '09):

Harpur Palate accepted "A Treatise on Violence" and that I have a poem that is among ten finalists in Bellingham Review's 49th Parallel Poetry Contest.

All the best,

kje

LINKS:
Harpur Palate
Bellingham Review

Meyerhofer Book News: Release Party at WKU

A note from Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06, poetry):
A few updates... I had a couple science fiction stories accepted recently. "Career Day, 2136 A.D." was taken by Absent Willow Review and "Mission: Fail" was taken by Planet Magazine. Also, my book review of Peter Bethanis's "American Future" was accepted by Rattle. Lastly, I'll be reading on May 12th for my Blue Collar Eulogies book release, should anyone find themselves in Bowling Green, KY with some time to kill. Thanks!

LINKS:
Absent Willow Review
Planet Magazine
Rattle
Blue Collar Eulogies

Grassroots Release Party Tonight @ 6 PM

A note from Kathleen and Amy, Grassroots editors:

I hope you are all excited about the party tonight!!! Just so you know, though, we have moved the party location to the FANER HUMANITIES LOUNGE due to inclement weather. So that's on the second floor of Faner sort of down the hall from the english department! Everything else is the same...the party starts at six and there will be food, reading and fun stuff. OK SEE YOU THERE!!!'
ALSO YOU BETTER BRING SOMETHING TO READ OR ELSE! AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DELICIOUS FOOD!
-Kathleen and Amy

Congrats to Alex Lumans!

Alex Lumans (MFA '09, fiction) will have his poem "The Design Plan" published in Poet Lore!

Keep up the hot cross genre action, Lumans!

LINK:
Poet Lore

Congrats to Justin Hamm (MFA '05)!

Justin Hamm (MFA '05, fiction) keeps racking up the poetry acceptances!

Hi, Allison --

Thought I'd write to share some more good news: while working my way through 500 pages of student research papers this week, I learned that New York Quarterly will publish my poem "goodbye, sancho panza" in a future issue. I'm rewarding myself by skipping a night of grading (a decision that will no doubt haunt me this weekend).

Hope the end of the semester is treating everyone well!

Justin Hamm


LINK:
New York Quarterly

Essayspotting: Justin Benton

Rising third-year fiction student Justin Benton sends this news:

I am posting an essay on The Nervous Breakdown entitled "Fiction Confidential."
It should be up tonight. Fiction folks and poets may find it interesting. Or not.

I post there monthly.

LINK
The Nervous Breakdown

Melanie Martin (MFA '04) published in new anthology

A note from Melanie Martin (MFA '04) via Facebook:

I also just had a poem published in an anthology titled Beyond Forgetting, poetry and prose about Alzheimer's Disease. Kent State University kindly published it.

Read more about this anthology here:
Beyond Forgetting

Mossotti and Evans: Finalists!

Both Travis Mossotti (second-year, poetry) and Kerry James Evans (graduating third-year, poetry) are finalists for the Gulf Coast Prize in Poetry!
We wish they both could win!
LINK:
Gulf Coast

More Good News from SIUC MFA Alums!

from David Bond (MFA '98, poetry):

Semi-Finalist, Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mike Award, Chicago, June, 2008
First Place, Poetry, Southern Illinois Writers’ Guild Contest, Sept 2008, for “I Hear You’re Getting Married”

Two of my poems will be used in other works—
“Temporary Work Stoppage,” (8 lines) will be included in The State of Southern Illinois: A History of the Land Between the Rivers, by Herb Russell, publication date of 2011, Southern Illinois University Press.
“Quiet Time: For Verne Morton” –this poem will be the lead page into a Verne Morton biography, featuring his photographs. The book’s title is also from a line of my poem—Great Possibilities: 150 Verne Morton Photographs. This 300 page book is scheduled for publication in May, 2010, Six Mile Creek Press.
The poem “Hard Women” (a slight revision of “Aurora”) is scheduled to appear in the Fall 2009 issue of The Cape Rock.

from Tim Marsh (MFA '06, fiction):
Hey Allison--
Some good news for the blog. I've just had a piece accepted by the White Whale Review. The piece is nonfiction and will be appearing either this week or next. The name of the piece is "Fast Food Bad, Fruit Stand Good."

Hope everything is well back there,
Tim

from Josh Woods (MFA '09, fiction):
Editor of THE VERSUS ANTHOLOGY, which hits shelves this month
(May 2009)
Associate Editor of SURREAL SOUTH ’09 (forthcoming 2009)
Short fiction “Small Dead Monkey” in Main Street Rag’s Fiction Anthology XX ECCENTRIC, which hits shelves this month (May 2009)
Short fiction “Jesus VS Thor” in THE VERSUS ANTHOLOGY
Excerpts from his novel, ALL HELL, in SURREAL SOUTH ’09
Short fiction “The Exorcise Machine” in THE PRESS 53 OPEN AWARDS ANTHOLOGY (2008)
Winner of the 2008 Press 53 Open Awards in Genre Fiction

Matt Guenette (MFA '99, poetry):
I was chosen for the 2009 Hessen-Wisconsin Writers Exchange. I'm currently working out details with my college. Looks like Jules, Auggie and I will be living in Wiesbaden thru Aug, Sept, and Oct. I'll be doing workshops and such while I'm there, but primarily I'm being given an opportunity to work on my next manuscript.
You can learn more about the Hessen-Wisconsin Writers Exchange at:
Writers Exchange

Liz (Kershner) Whiteacre (MFA '02, poetry)
I won the Vesle Fenstermaker Poetry Prize for the 2008 Indiana University Writers' Conference. :)

Cynthia Roth (MFA '01, poetry):
One poem, “The Sound of Love Failing,” included in the cooperative anthology “Letters to the World: Poems from the Wom-Po Listserv."

WTTW Chicago's series Arts Across Illinois featured poet Cynthia Roth on Friday, May 23 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday May 25 at 5:30 pm in Chicago, 2008. This program also ran on WSIU in Carbondale and Olney in the fall of 2008 and may run again at the discretion of the program director.

Congrats to all these alums on their recent achievements!

Grassroots Open Mike Reading and Publication Party

A note from Kathleen Richards, editor-in-chief of GRASSROOTS, SIUC's undergraduate literary

and art journal:

HELLO EVERYONE!

I am happy to announce 2009's GRASSROOTS MAGAZINE RELEASE PARTY!!!

The magazine is being shipped to us as we speak, so our second annual get together will be held next Thursday, May 7th in honor of the new magazine.
There will be an open mic where all who are and are not published in the magazine are encouraged (but not at all required) to read their work to an adoring crowd.
There will also be food and beverages HOWEVER due to a budget problem we will not be able to be as lavish as we were last year.  Therefore, if anyone wants to bring some food or drink to share with all it would be greatly appreciated (but, again, not required).
I understand this is finals week and some of you may be busy but I really hope that you all can take some time out and come party with us.  I promise that the new magazine is beautiful and I know that everyone who's been involved with it has worked very hard, so you all deserve to party.
This is open to the public, so feel free to bring friends, family members, acquaintances, strangers, and whoever else you would like to!

Ok, so here's the rundown:

DATE: THURSDAY MAY 7TH, 2009
TIME: SIX P.M.
LOCATION: FANER BREEZEWAY (the same place we had it last year; outdoor deck on the second floor of Faner above the university musuem)
GOAL: HAVE FUN AND CELEBRATE THE MAGAZINE; EAT FOOD AND READ WORK

Thanks so much everyone, hope to see you next Thursday!!

-Kathleen Richards
Editor-in-Chief

--
GRASSROOTS Undergraduate Literary Magazine
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Reading Reminder: Curtis Crisler reads at College of DuPage

Just a reminder about Curtis Crisler (MFA '04, poetry) reading at Liz Whiteacre's school:

You are invited to "An Evening with Curtis Crisler" at College of DuPage (425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137) on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 7:00-8:30 pm, SRC 1450. To RSVP, so she may send you more information, email Liz Whiteacre (MFA '02, poetry). Join us to hear Curtis read from his newest collection, Spill.

MFA Graduation GALA!

The Graduate Creative Writing Program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

cordially invites you to attend its annual MFA Graduation Gala

Saturday, May 2, 2009
6-10 pm
SIUC Student Center Renaissance Room

These eleven graduating students will read briefly from their thesis works:

Kerry James Evans
Renee Summer Evans
John Flaherty
Rachel Furey
Alex Lumans
Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum
Rachna Sheth
William Tyler
Aaron Wheetley
Abby Wheetley
Josh Woods

Please join us in wishing them congratulations and godspeed. There will be a reception with refreshments before the readings and during the intermissions.

Graduate Faculty: Pinckney Benedict, Rodney Jones, Judy Jordan, Allison Joseph, Beth Lordan, Jacinda Townsend, Jon Tribble.

Praise for Renee Wells (MFA '06)

Not surprised to hear that Renee Wells (MFA '06, poetry) is receiving praise for her innovative teaching at the University of Alabama:

Details here:
Missing Ink

Interview with SIUC Poet in Heartland Women

An interview with Allison Joseph, SIUC faculty, appears in the local woman-focused newspaper Heartland Women (click on the link for the April 20th edition):

Heartland Women

Academy of American Poets Prize Winners 2009

A note from the contest coordinator, Mr. Rodney Jones:

Robert Wrigley, this year's judge, praised many of the poems in this year's competition, saying that it was difficult to choose the winners.  

His selections were:

First Place:  "Getting Arrested" by Travis Mossotti
Second Place: "Interlude--(for Domestication)" by Sarah McCartt
Honorable Mentions:  
"Capital Wire and Cable, 1968" by Will Tyler
"Trivial Pursuit" by Travis Mossotti

Please congratulate the winners.

For more about the Academy of American Poets, visit

Academy of American Poets

R&D: April Means Love

with an R&D tribute to Danielle Steele.

Ought to be a hoot.  Last R&D of the semester.

Come after enjoying Alison Townsend's reading.

Melange, Thursday 4/23/09,  7 pm

607 S. Illinois Avenue, Carbondale

poetry-fiction-drama

drink specials-trivia-prizes

Congrats to Mark Brewin!

First year MFA in poetry Mark Brewin has good news:

Ahoy, Allison.

Just a quick note to you--my poem "A History of Nut Allergies" was just accepted at the Packingtown Review. Hot dog.
-mark.

Congrats, Mark!
Packingtown Review

Congrats to Melissa Scholes Young!

Melissa Scholes Young, first-year MFA student in fiction, keeps the good news coming:

LaChance Publishing has accepted my nonfiction essay "Herstory" for its Voices Of anthology. The book will be published this fall.
LaChance Publishing

Also, my nonfiction "Brazil: 10 Ways" is up at Stone's Throw Magazine.
Stone's Throw

And, I'm off to the New Plains Review Launch Party in Oklahoma City, OK to read my fiction, "Guinea Pig." If you squint really hard you can see my name on the cover the magazine :)
New Plains Review

Congrats, Melissa!

Upcoming Reading: Alison Townsend

The Visiting Writers Series and Crab Orchard Review present a reading by Alison Townsend

Thursday, April 23, 2009
4 PM, SIUC Student Center
(Video Lounge, 4th Floor)

This reading celebrates the publication of Alison Townsend's new book, Persephone in America, published this year in the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry. The reading is free and open to the public. A reception will follow in the Old Main Lounge.

Alison Townsend is an associate professor of English and Women's Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She is the author of And Still the Music, What the Body Knows, and The Blue Dress: Poems and Prose Poems. Her poetry collection Persephone in America was selected by David Wojahn for a Crab Orchard Series in Poetry Open Competition Award and was published in 2009 by Southern Illinois University Press.

Congrats to Alex Lumans!

Alex Lumans, third-year student in fiction, has some cross-genre action to report:

Allison,

Some hot XXX cross-genre action. A poem of mine, "On the Eve of My Father's Second Book," made the top 20 finalists in the 2009 Single Poem Contest sponsored by the S.C. Poetry Initiative and The State newspaper.

Best,
Lumans

Congrats, Alex!

LINK:
S.C. Poetry Inititative

Congrats to Rachel Furey!

Rachel Furey, third-year student in fiction, is the bearer of some very good news!

Dear Allison:

I'm thrilled to share the news that Tobias Wolff chose my short story "Birth Act" as the winner of Sycamore Review's Wabash Prize.

Cheers,
Rachel Furey

Congrats, Rachel! You make us proud!

LINK:
Sycamore Review

Author Appearances: SIUC Faculty Writers

Allison Joseph, SIUC faculty in poetry, will be on her unofficial "Southern Tour" this week. All readings are free and open to the public!


4 pm, April 15, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN
Morgan University Center, room 303

6:30pm, April 16, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, Cosby Auditorium
reading with Toi Derricotte, Cornelius Eady and Kevin Vaughn
launch party for Spelman College's literary journal Aunt Chloe.

1pm, April 18, Arkansas Literary Festival, Little Rock, AR
reading with Ann Fisher-Wirth and Andrea Hollander Budy
a reading from When She Named Fire, an anthology of poetry by women
Ozark Classroom, Arkansas Studies Institute

Praise for Pinckney Benedict!

Fiction faculty member Pinckney Benedict writes to tell of a special mention for his work:

My work got a nice mention in the Washington Post's Arts & Leisure section, in an article by Frank Arhens about the new PBS documentary APPALACHIA. He didn't care much for the miniseries, unfortunately, but he kindly mentions my stories.

Post

Congrats to Kerry James Evans!

More publication news from third-year poet Kerry James Evans:

The Pinch just accepted "Arachne's Tapestry."

-KJE

LINK:
The Pinch

Congrats to Tim Shea (MFA '08)

Good news from the now-stateside Tim Shea (MFA '08, poetry):

Hey Allison,

Good news. Poetry London will publish three of my poems, 'Larkin Shaving', 'The Geography of Rain', and 'A Short Film About Loss' in their next issue.

Take Care,
Tim

LINK:
Poetry London

Undergraduate Student Poetry Prize: for SIUC Students

Undergraduate Student Poetry Prize

Cash Award & One Year Membership to the
Academy of American Poets

To Enter:
Submit up to 3 Poems
Deadline: Wednesday, April 15th 4 p.m.

SIUC undergraduates submit an entry packet to: Prof. Judy
Jordan, English Dept. Faner Hall, Mail Code 4503 or drop off at
the English office, Faner Room 2380 during regular hours.

Entry packet should include:
1) A cover sheet with your name, address (including date this
address is good until), phone number, email address, and poem
titles. Plus an address good after May 15th.
2) Poems on individual, separate pages. Include title on poems
but not your name please.

Upcoming Reading: Ed Pavlic

Poet Ed Pavlic will read at SIUC at on April 16, 2009 in Faner Hall's Harry T. Moore Auditorium at 7pm, with a reception to follow at 8pm in the Faner Humanities Lounge.

For more about Ed Pavlic, visit
UGA Faculty Page

Writers on the Road: Ball State edition

Writers on the Road visits Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana:

Details:

Southern Illinois University's Writers on the Road series will read from 3:30-4:30 pm on Friday, April 10 in Bracken Library Room 225. Featured readers include Kerry James Evans and Travis Mossotti, poets, and Renee Evans and John Flaherty, fiction writers.

Directions to Muncie:
BSU Maps

Congrats to Kerry James Evans!

Third-year MFA in poetry Kerry James Evans scores again!

Allison,
New England Review just accepted "A Good Hunt."
Thanks,
Kerry James

Congrats, KJE!

LINK
New England Review

R&D April Edition: The Birds and the Bees

R&D, aka "Reading and Drinking," is back for its April edition, "The Birds and the Bees."

poetry-fiction-drama-drink specials-trivia=prizes

Melange, 607 S. Illinois, Carbondale
Thursday, 4/9/09
at 7pm

Melange's website:
Melange

Congrats to Kerry James Evans!

Good news for Kerry James Evans (third-year in poetry):

Allison,

Agni just accepted "Seven Chants, A War Cry" for its Fall Issue.

-KJE

Congrats, Kerry!

LINK:
AGNI

Academy of American Poets Prize Guidelines

From Rodney Jones's door in Faner:

Each year, the creative writing program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, in conjunction with the Academy of American Poets, presents a poetry prize. The prize of $100 is given for the best poem and is open to all SIUC graduate students.

Contestants should submit up to three poems to
Rodney Jones, Coordinator
Academy of American Poets Prize
Department of English
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

by April 7, 2009.

Manuscripts should be prepared as follows:

Along with your submission, submit a title page listing your titles, your name, your e-mail address and your regular address. Include your title, but not your name, on the manuscript of each poem.

Announcement of winners and runner-ups will be made before the end of the semester.

Allison Joseph to read at APSU

Allison Joseph, creative writing faculty, will read from her work at APSU in Clarksville, TN:

Leaf-Chronicle

Alumni Profile: Greg Schwipps (MFA '98)

Here's a profile of Greg Schwipps (MFA '98) from his undergraduate alma mater:

De Pauw University News

Greg is back at SIUC for the Little Grassy Literary Festival and will be reading from his new novel on Friday, April 3 at 11 am in the Student Center Auditorium.

Congrats to Mark Brewin!

Mark Brewin, first-year poet, writes with this good news!

Ahoy there, Allison.

Just dropping you an e-mail to say my poem "Fidel Castro Visits a Frat Party" has been accepted for publication in New Delta Review. Whoa, sugar.

-mark.

Congrats, Mark!
LINK:
New Delta Review

Little Grassy Literary Festival: Robert Wrigley

Poemspotting: Amie Whittemore

"Visiting," a poem by second-year MFA student Amie Whittemore, appears in the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of Atlanta Review.

LINK:
Altanta Review

Little Grassy Literary Festival: Kercheval reading

Congrats to Melissa Scholes Young!

First year fiction writer Melissa Scholes Young has more good news!

I wanted to let you know that Stone's Throw Magazine is publishing my nonfiction piece "Brazil: 10 Ways." 

Thanks,
Melissa

LINK:
Stone's Throw

Congrats, Melissa!

Announcing the Inaugural Little Grassy Literary Festival

Announcing the Inaugural Little Grassy Literary Festival
Sponsored by the Graduate Writers Forum, SIUC

featuring readings from and events with Jesse Lee Kerchval, Robert Wrigley, and SIUC MFA grad Greg Schwipps (MFA '98).

Festival Schedule:

April 2
4pm Jesse Lee Kercheval reading
SIUC Student Center Video Lounge 4th Floor

8pm Robert Wrigley reading
SIUC Student Center Video Lounge 4th Floor

April 3
9:30am Panel Discussion with all three readers
SIUC Student Center Auditorium 2nd Floor

11am Greg Schwipps reading
SIUC Student Center Auditorium 2nd Floor

12pm Book signing and reception
SIUC Student Center Old Main Lounge 2nd Floor
Refreshments and Light fare to be provided

VISITING WRITER BIOS:

Jesse Lee Kercheval is the author of several books, including the poetry collection honoring silent cinema, Cinema Muto, which won the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry. She also wrote the short story collections The Alice Stories, which won the Prairie Schooner Book Prize in Fiction, and The Dogeater. A versatile writer, Kercheval also has a novel, a memoir, and a textbook, as well as several other poetry collections to her credit. Other awards include fellowships from the National Endowment of the Arts, the Radcliffe Research and Study Center at Harvard, the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference and more. Kercheval grew up in Florida. Now she is the Sally Mead Hands Bascom Professor of English and a founding director of the master’s of fine arts program in creative writing at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Robert Wrigley has six poetry collections to his credit, including the San Francisco Center Book Award winner, In the Bank of Beautiful Sins, and the 2000 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award winner Reign of Snakes. He has five Pushcart Prizes, two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, Best American Poetry selections and a Guggenheim Foundation fellowship. Wrigley is originally from a coal mining family from East St. Louis. He is on the creative writing faculty at the University of Idaho.

Greg Schwipps is an SIUC MFA alumnus presently on the creative writing faculty at DePauw University. His novel, What This River Keeps, is due for release later this spring from Ghost Road Press. His essays and articles appear in such publications as In-Fisherman, Outdoor Indiana and Esquire.

Women's Words: A Celebration of Women and the Written Word

A.K. Thompson reads Virginia Woolf and her own work

Amie Whittemore reads Dorianne Laux

Rachel Furey reads Lorrie Moore and her own work

Janelle Blasdel reads Julie Orringer

Melissa Scholes Young reads Anne Panning and her own work

Krishna Pattisapu reads Audre Lorde and her own work

Allison Joseph reads Wendy Cope, Dorothy Parker and her own work

Alberta Skaggs reads Alice Walker and her own work

Azizat Danmole reads AI


SIUC Student Center, Carbondale, IL
Mississippi Room, 4-5 pm
Refreshments to follow reception in Old Main Lounge

Congrats to Jared (JY) Sexton!

More good news, this time from recent grad Jared (JY) Sexton (MFA '08):

Hey Allison,

Just got word my story "I Know I Am Deathless" will appear in an upcoming issue of the magazine The Benefactor.

Cheers,
-J

LINK:
The Benefactor

Congrats to Melissa Scholes Young!

The good news just keeps on coming for first-year fiction writer Melissa Scholes Young:

Hello Allison:

I just got a call from Doug Goetsch, editor of New Plains Review, and I've been invited to do a reading at their magazine's inaugural party. They are awarding me $1000 for the reading and the publication of my story "Guinea Pig." The event is in Oklahoma City in April. He told me to tell you that you are, of course, invited!

-Melissa

LINK:
New Plains Review

Meet this year's judge: Stacey Lynn Brown

Stacey Lynn Brown was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Her poems, essays, and reviews have been published in Crab Orchard Review, Natural Bridge, Sou’wester, Anti-, and The Southern Quarterly. Her book-length poem in sections, Cradle Song, was published by C&R Press in 2009. Poems from Cradle Song were selected by E. Ethelbert Miller as the second-prize winner of the 14th Annual Poetry Center of Chicago Juried Reading. She teaches creative writing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Announcing the Winners of the 2009 Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest!

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE 2009 ROXANA RIVERA MEMORIAL POETRY CONTEST!

Judge Stacey Lynn Brown, poet and author of the collection Cradle Song, has chosen to honor
the following poets and their poems:

Undergraduate:
1st place: Kate Gramlich for "bride not to be"
2nd place: Kate Gramlich for "six and falling"
3rd place: Joyce Terpstra for "Veteran's Day"
Honorable Mention: Kate Gramlich for "things i should tell you"

Graduate:
1st place: Amie Whittemore for "The Movement of Heat"
2nd place: Andy McFadyen-Ketchum for "To Touch the Moon"
3rd place: Jonathan Travelstead for "For Sean, from the Fire House"
Honorable Mention: Rachel Furey for "Hey, ref, what's up with the mercy rule?" and Travis Mossotti for "Oak Grove Cemetery"

Please join us on Thursday, March 26 at 4pm in the SIUC Student Center Auditorium for the annual contest ceremony, featuring readings from both this year's judge and this year's award-winners.