Congrats to Sara Burge (MFA '08)!

Just received this cheery e-mail from Sara Burge (MFA '08, poetry):

Hi Allison!

I got an email from Virginia Quarterly Review saying they want to publish "God of Chocolate, God of War." Of course, I emailed back that they could. It should be out in the Summer 2009 issue, and they're going to pay me some money for it!! I'm really excited about this, and thought I'd share with you!

Sara Burge

Thanks for sharing, Sara! And congrats on an excellent publication acceptance!

Departmental Reception: Friday, August 29

English Department Reception in honor of new faculty, staff and graduate assistants on Friday, August 29, 2008
5 to 7 pm
J.W. Corker Lounge, Student Center
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Fabulous news about Adrian Matejka (MFA '01)

Adrian Matejka's second book, Mixology, has been chosen for publication in the National Poetry Series! The book will be coming out from Penguin, and was chosen for the prize by acclaimed poet Kevin Young. Congratulations, AD!

Adrian (MFA '01) is also the author of The Devil's Garden (Alice James Books).

The official announcement for 2008 is not yet on the website, but here is the link:
National Poetry Series

Chad Parmenter Interviews poet Reginald Shepherd

Chad Parmenter (MFA '05, poetry) has an interview with poet Reginald Shepherd in the September/October 2008 issue of the American Poetry Review.

Essayspotting: Kathryn Kerr (MFA '00)

"Hawk's Cave," an essay by Kathryn Kerr (MFA '00, poetry) appears in the new issue of Big Muddy: A Journal of the Mississippi River Valley (Volume 8, Number 1). Big Muddy is published by Southeast Missouri State University.

More about Big Muddy here:
Big Muddy

Congrats to Rachel Furey!

Good news from Rachel Furey (fiction, third year):

Dear Allison:

I just wanted to let you know that my short story "The Pet Mortician" was accepted into Main Street Rag's short fiction anthology focusing on eccentric women characters.

Best Regards,
Rachel Furey

Congrats, Rachel!

The anthology Rachel will be in is still accepting submissions until September 15. Check it out at
Main Street Rag Fiction

2008 Devil's Kitchen Festival Writers

The line-up for this year's Devil's Kitchen Literary Festival is now set. This year's festival, to be held October 23, 24 and 25, is sponsored by Grassroots, the undergraduate literary magazine of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Writers who will be appearing at this year's festival are (drumroll please!):prose writers Jim Tomlinson, Anne Panning, Amy Knox Brown and Josh Goldfaden and poets Janice N. Harrington, Richard Jones, Sean Nevin and Jennifer Perrine.

The festival is free and open to the public. It's always a great time for writers and readers.

SIUC MFA Program in Creative Writing now on Facebook

A Facebook Group for the SIUC MFA Program was launched today! Now there are two ways to keep up with the goings-on in Carbondale--this blog and our Facebook Group.
The group can be found at
Friends of the SIUC MFA Program

Brown Bag Luncheon for New and Returning MFA Students

There will be a brown bag luncheon for all new and returning MFA students on Thursday, August 14 from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. in Faner Hall 1222. So come, bring your lunch, and spend some time with the MFA faculty.

Welcome to Carbondale, New MFA Students!

MFA Carbondale is happy and proud to welcome these new students to the program, the university, and the community:

Mark Jay Brewin, poetry
Brenna Lemieux, poetry
Sarah McCartt, poetry
Derand Wright, poetry
Katie Zapoluch, poetry

Janelle Blasdel, fiction
Lane Kareska, fiction
Charles Lemmink, fiction
Richard Pechous, fiction
Brooks Rexrout, fiction
Erin Thompson, fiction
Melissa Young, fiction

Welcome to the Dale!