Ingrid Moody (MFA '07, poetry) has been named a finalist for the Hollis Summers Poetry Prize.
Info on the Hollis Summers Poetry Prize:
Ohio U Press
Friday, March 28, 2008
New Book News from Ben Percy
Ben Percy (MFA '04) has great news. His novel, The Wilding, will be published in 2009 by Graywolf Press!
Reminder: Ben will be reading at the University of Southern Indiana on April 8.
Reminder: Ben will be reading at the University of Southern Indiana on April 8.
Poemspotting: Curtis Crisler (MFA '04)
New poems by Curtis Crisler appear in the new issue of Elixir (Number Six, a special double issue). The poems are "Mary Jane and Chelsea" and "Suffering in Ignorance."
Elixir's website:
Elixir
Elixir's website:
Elixir
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
More on Rodney Jones's reading at the Library of Congress
More on Rodney Jones's upcoming reading in our nation's capital:
University Communications
University Communications
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Spring 2008 Thesis Defense Dates: SIUC MFA Program
Spring 2008 Upcoming MFA Thesis Defenses
SIUC Department of English Creative Writing Program
Spectators are welcome, but seating is limited.
03/26 Jason Lee Brown (Fiction) Sun Visor Spider
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. – Department Conference Room (Faner 2370)
Committee: Pinckney Benedict, Jacinda Townsend, & Jon Tribble
03/31 Timothy Shea (Poetry) Wake
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. – Dean's Conference Room (Faner 2408) (note changed locale)
Committee: Rodney Jones, Judy Jordan, & Allison Joseph
03/31 Mary Keck (Fiction) The Girl in the Oven & Other Stories
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. – Humanities Lounge (Faner 2302)
Committee: Pinckney Benedict, Beth Lordan, & Jacinda Townsend
04/01 Martin Anthony Call (Poetry) Holograham & Other Poems
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. – Department Conference Room (Faner 2370)
Committee: Judy Jordan, Rodney Jones, & Allison Joseph
04/01 Helena Bell (Poetry) All Exits
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. – Faner 2365
Committee: Judy Jordan, Rodney Jones, & Allison Joseph
04/02 Sara Burge (Poetry) Evening Shade
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. – Department Conference Room (Faner 2370)
Committee: Rodney Jones, Judy Jordan, & Allison Joseph
04/04 J Y Sexton (Fiction) Dog N Pony
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. – Department Conference Room (Faner 2370)
Committee: Beth Lordan, Pinckney Benedict, & Jacinda Townsend
SIUC Department of English Creative Writing Program
Spectators are welcome, but seating is limited.
03/26 Jason Lee Brown (Fiction) Sun Visor Spider
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. – Department Conference Room (Faner 2370)
Committee: Pinckney Benedict, Jacinda Townsend, & Jon Tribble
03/31 Timothy Shea (Poetry) Wake
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. – Dean's Conference Room (Faner 2408) (note changed locale)
Committee: Rodney Jones, Judy Jordan, & Allison Joseph
03/31 Mary Keck (Fiction) The Girl in the Oven & Other Stories
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. – Humanities Lounge (Faner 2302)
Committee: Pinckney Benedict, Beth Lordan, & Jacinda Townsend
04/01 Martin Anthony Call (Poetry) Holograham & Other Poems
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. – Department Conference Room (Faner 2370)
Committee: Judy Jordan, Rodney Jones, & Allison Joseph
04/01 Helena Bell (Poetry) All Exits
3:00 - 5:00 p.m. – Faner 2365
Committee: Judy Jordan, Rodney Jones, & Allison Joseph
04/02 Sara Burge (Poetry) Evening Shade
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. – Department Conference Room (Faner 2370)
Committee: Rodney Jones, Judy Jordan, & Allison Joseph
04/04 J Y Sexton (Fiction) Dog N Pony
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. – Department Conference Room (Faner 2370)
Committee: Beth Lordan, Pinckney Benedict, & Jacinda Townsend
Monday, March 24, 2008
Catching Up With Chad Simpson (MFA '05)
What's up with Chad Simpson (MFA '05, fiction) these days? Here's his latest news:
"My essay "Home of the Poor and Unknown" appears in the latest issue of Barrelhouse, in their special section devoted to Dive Bar Stories.
Barrelhouse
&
My story "Especially Roosevelt" appears in the April 2008 issue of The Sun."
The Sun
"My essay "Home of the Poor and Unknown" appears in the latest issue of Barrelhouse, in their special section devoted to Dive Bar Stories.
Barrelhouse
&
My story "Especially Roosevelt" appears in the April 2008 issue of The Sun."
The Sun
Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest Winners
Announcing the Winners of the 2008 Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest
Sponsored by the Creative Writing Program and the Women’s Studies Program
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Judge Sandy Longhorn, poet and English instructor at Pulaski Technical College, Little Rock, Arkansas, has chosen to honor the following poets and their poems:
Undergraduate Winners:
First place: Krishna Pattisapu, for "Strippers."
Second place: Hope Connell, for "The Shelf Life of Fruit."
Third place: Kate Gramlich, for "Drop."
Honorable Mention: Doug Dowling, for "In Her Mother's Bootsteps."
Graduate Winners:
First place: Travis Mossotti, for "I watched her going into a gas station,"
Second place: Amie Whittemore, for "The Secret History."
Third place: Rachel Furey, for "It Takes a Woman."
Honorable Mention: Jason Lee Brown, for "Advice for the New You."
Please join us on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 4 pm in the SIUC Student Center Auditorium for an awards ceremony featuring a reading from our judge, Sandy Longhorn, the author of Blood Almanac (Anhinga Press) and a recent recipient of an Individual Artist Fellowship in Poetry from the Arkansas Arts Council.
The winners will also read their award-winning poems. There will be a booksigning and reception in the Old Main Lounge after the ceremony.
The Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest honors the memory of Roxana Rivera, who was a poet and graduate student in English at the time of her death in 2003. Additional support for this contest comes from the Judge William Holmes Cook Endowment.
Visit Sandy Longhorn's blog:
Sandy Longhorn
Sponsored by the Creative Writing Program and the Women’s Studies Program
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Judge Sandy Longhorn, poet and English instructor at Pulaski Technical College, Little Rock, Arkansas, has chosen to honor the following poets and their poems:
Undergraduate Winners:
First place: Krishna Pattisapu, for "Strippers."
Second place: Hope Connell, for "The Shelf Life of Fruit."
Third place: Kate Gramlich, for "Drop."
Honorable Mention: Doug Dowling, for "In Her Mother's Bootsteps."
Graduate Winners:
First place: Travis Mossotti, for "I watched her going into a gas station,"
Second place: Amie Whittemore, for "The Secret History."
Third place: Rachel Furey, for "It Takes a Woman."
Honorable Mention: Jason Lee Brown, for "Advice for the New You."
Please join us on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 4 pm in the SIUC Student Center Auditorium for an awards ceremony featuring a reading from our judge, Sandy Longhorn, the author of Blood Almanac (Anhinga Press) and a recent recipient of an Individual Artist Fellowship in Poetry from the Arkansas Arts Council.
The winners will also read their award-winning poems. There will be a booksigning and reception in the Old Main Lounge after the ceremony.
The Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest honors the memory of Roxana Rivera, who was a poet and graduate student in English at the time of her death in 2003. Additional support for this contest comes from the Judge William Holmes Cook Endowment.
Visit Sandy Longhorn's blog:
Sandy Longhorn
Sunday, March 23, 2008
New Book: Matt Guenette (MFA '99)
Matt Guenette's first collection of poetry, Sudden Anthem, is now available via Amazon.
Matt will be doing readings in support of the book's publication--check out his blog for upcoming dates:
Matt's blog
Matt will be doing readings in support of the book's publication--check out his blog for upcoming dates:
Matt's blog
New Job: Ben Percy (MFA '04)
Ben Percy (MFA '04, fiction) will be joining the faculty at Iowa State University in the fall of 2008. Ben will be teaching in their new MFA in Creative Writing and Environment program. Congratulations, Ben!
Details about the Iowa State University MFA program here:
ISU MFA
In addition, Ben will be in Evansville, Indiana on April 8, 2008 for a reading:
University of Southern Indiana
Details about the Iowa State University MFA program here:
ISU MFA
In addition, Ben will be in Evansville, Indiana on April 8, 2008 for a reading:
University of Southern Indiana
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Graduate Writers Forum Presents the MFA In-House Reading Series
In-house readings to begin this Monday, March 24, 2008, 4:30 p.m, in the Mackinaw Room, SIUC Student Center.
First up in the series are the talented:
Renee Evans, 2nd year in fiction
Jenna Bazzell, 1st year in poetry
Andy McFadyen-Ketchum, 2nd year in poetry
First up in the series are the talented:
Renee Evans, 2nd year in fiction
Jenna Bazzell, 1st year in poetry
Andy McFadyen-Ketchum, 2nd year in poetry
Friday, March 21, 2008
Readings for Darfur: Upcoming Benefit
Join the faculty of Southern Illinois University Carbondale in raising awareness and funds for the victims of the ongoing war in Darfur. In the past five years, millions of innocent men, women, and children have been either killed, injured or displaced by the conflict. Do your part to help by attending and giving whatever help you can. Suggested donation is $5 and proceeds will go to Save the Children to support work they are doing in Darfur.
Tuesday, March 25th, Ballroom C, SIUC Student Center, 7-8 p.m.:
Pinckney Benedict, Fiction
Michael Brown, History
Jacinda Townsend, Fiction
Wednesday, March 26th, Cambria Room, SIUC Student Center, 7-8 p.m.:
Getahun Benti, History
Allison Joseph, Poetry
Jon Tribble, Poetry
Thursday, March 27th, Ohio Room, SIUC Student Center, 7-8 p.m.:
Mark Amos, English
Judy Jordan, Poetry
Beth Lordan, Fiction
To be followed by a candlelight vigil
Tuesday, March 25th, Ballroom C, SIUC Student Center, 7-8 p.m.:
Pinckney Benedict, Fiction
Michael Brown, History
Jacinda Townsend, Fiction
Wednesday, March 26th, Cambria Room, SIUC Student Center, 7-8 p.m.:
Getahun Benti, History
Allison Joseph, Poetry
Jon Tribble, Poetry
Thursday, March 27th, Ohio Room, SIUC Student Center, 7-8 p.m.:
Mark Amos, English
Judy Jordan, Poetry
Beth Lordan, Fiction
To be followed by a candlelight vigil
Upcoming Contest: Academy of American Poets Prize
The Academy of American Poets Prize
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 graduate students at SIUC.
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 10, 2008.
Manuscripts should be prepared as follows:
Along with your poetry submissions, submit a title page listing your titles, your name, and your address. Include titles on each poem submitted, but not your name.
Announcements of winners and runner-ups will be made before the end of the semester.
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 graduate students at SIUC.
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 10, 2008.
Manuscripts should be prepared as follows:
Along with your poetry submissions, submit a title page listing your titles, your name, and your address. Include titles on each poem submitted, but not your name.
Announcements of winners and runner-ups will be made before the end of the semester.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Poetry and War
Here's an article from today's Southern Illinoisian about yesterday's poetry reading focused on the anniversary of the start of the Iraq war:
War
War
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Allison Joseph reads at Claflin University
SIUC faculty poet reads today at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, which is the current academic home of MA grad Gaynell Gavin (MA, poetry, 1996).
Allison will read today at 5pm in Claflin's Orange and Maroon Room on the Claflin University campus.
More about Claflin University:
Claflin University
Allison will read today at 5pm in Claflin's Orange and Maroon Room on the Claflin University campus.
More about Claflin University:
Claflin University
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Pinckney Benedict's Blog Advice
Pinckney Benedict's recent blog entry, "Letter to a Student About to Enter the Queens University Low-Residency MFA Program," has been chosen as this week's featured blog over at RedRoom.com, the (relatively) new Web space for writers.
It's linked on RedRoom's front page RedRoom under Best of RedRoom.
Their description: "Pinckney Benedict writes about what an MFA program can do for you and what it can't."
Pinckney says: "It was written specifically to a Queens student, but I think it applies equally to what we do (and do well) at SIUC."
Here's the direct link:
Benedict wisdom
It's linked on RedRoom's front page RedRoom under Best of RedRoom.
Their description: "Pinckney Benedict writes about what an MFA program can do for you and what it can't."
Pinckney says: "It was written specifically to a Queens student, but I think it applies equally to what we do (and do well) at SIUC."
Here's the direct link:
Benedict wisdom
Roxana Rivera Contest Deadline Approaching
ANNOUNCING THE 2008 ROXANA RIVERA MEMORIAL POETRY CONTEST
Join SIUC’s Creative Writing and Women’s Studies Programs as we honor the memory of a wonderful poet and celebrate Women’s History Month.
The Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest honors the memory of Roxana Rivera (1977-2003), who was a first-year creative writing graduate student from Lynwood, California. Roxana, a graduate of California State University Long Beach, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and English. While at SIUC, Roxana was a PROMPT Scholar and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of English.
To remember this special woman and poet, a campus-wide poetry contest will be held, with divisions for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Gift certificates will be awarded as prizes in both divisions:
$80 for first place $40 for second place $25 for third place
This contest is open to all students currently enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Students of all majors are encouraged to participate in this contest.
This Year’s Theme: “It Takes A Woman”
DEADLINE: Friday, March 21, 2008
Submission Guidelines:
Submit an entry packet with:
1) A cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and poem titles. Indicate on your cover sheet whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student.
2) Poem(s) on individual sheets (one poem only per page). No identifying information on the poems themselves, please. There is no entry fee, but there is a limit of three poems per entrant.
The contest theme is provided to spark your creativity, and entries that reflect upon the theme in the lives of women are particularly welcome.
Entry packets should be submitted to Prof. Allison Joseph, English Dept., Faner Hall 2380, Mail Code 4503. Entries may be sent via campus mail or dropped off at the English Department office (Faner Hall 2380) during regular campus office hours. Winners will be honored at a special awards ceremony to be held on March 27, 2008.
Join SIUC’s Creative Writing and Women’s Studies Programs as we honor the memory of a wonderful poet and celebrate Women’s History Month.
The Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest honors the memory of Roxana Rivera (1977-2003), who was a first-year creative writing graduate student from Lynwood, California. Roxana, a graduate of California State University Long Beach, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and English. While at SIUC, Roxana was a PROMPT Scholar and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of English.
To remember this special woman and poet, a campus-wide poetry contest will be held, with divisions for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Gift certificates will be awarded as prizes in both divisions:
$80 for first place $40 for second place $25 for third place
This contest is open to all students currently enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Students of all majors are encouraged to participate in this contest.
This Year’s Theme: “It Takes A Woman”
DEADLINE: Friday, March 21, 2008
Submission Guidelines:
Submit an entry packet with:
1) A cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and poem titles. Indicate on your cover sheet whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student.
2) Poem(s) on individual sheets (one poem only per page). No identifying information on the poems themselves, please. There is no entry fee, but there is a limit of three poems per entrant.
The contest theme is provided to spark your creativity, and entries that reflect upon the theme in the lives of women are particularly welcome.
Entry packets should be submitted to Prof. Allison Joseph, English Dept., Faner Hall 2380, Mail Code 4503. Entries may be sent via campus mail or dropped off at the English Department office (Faner Hall 2380) during regular campus office hours. Winners will be honored at a special awards ceremony to be held on March 27, 2008.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Congrats to Jason Brown!
Third-year fiction writer Jason Lee Brown has some happy upcoming publication news:
"Confrontation, The Literary Journal of Long Island University, has accepted my poem “First Acceptance” for publication."
Congrats, Jason!
Find out more about Confrontation here:
Confrontation
"Confrontation, The Literary Journal of Long Island University, has accepted my poem “First Acceptance” for publication."
Congrats, Jason!
Find out more about Confrontation here:
Confrontation
Friday, March 07, 2008
Upcoming Reading in Visiting Writers Series: Asali Solomon
As part of the English Department's Visiting Writer Series, Asali Solomon will be at SIUC on Monday, March 17, 2008.
03/17 - Visiting Writers Series Reading by fiction writer
Asali Solomon, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium,
reception and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
Asali Solomon was born and raised in West Philadelphia. Her first book, a collection of stories entitled Get Down, is set mostly in Philadelphia. Solomon's work has been featured in Vibe, Essence, and the anthology Naked: Black Women Bare All About Their Skin, Hair, Hips, Lips, and Other Parts. She received the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers' Award for the stories in Get Down and was selected as one of the National Book Foundation's "5 Under 35" in 2007. She has a PhD in English from University of California, Berkeley and an MFA from the Iowa Writer's Workshop. Solomon is currently a visiting assistant professor of English at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
Find out more about Asali Solomon here:
AALBC
03/17 - Visiting Writers Series Reading by fiction writer
Asali Solomon, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium,
reception and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
Asali Solomon was born and raised in West Philadelphia. Her first book, a collection of stories entitled Get Down, is set mostly in Philadelphia. Solomon's work has been featured in Vibe, Essence, and the anthology Naked: Black Women Bare All About Their Skin, Hair, Hips, Lips, and Other Parts. She received the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers' Award for the stories in Get Down and was selected as one of the National Book Foundation's "5 Under 35" in 2007. She has a PhD in English from University of California, Berkeley and an MFA from the Iowa Writer's Workshop. Solomon is currently a visiting assistant professor of English at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
Find out more about Asali Solomon here:
AALBC
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Allison Joseph to be Visiting Writer at Vermont Studio Center
SIUC faculty poet Allison Joseph will be a Visiting Writer at the Vermont Studio Center from March 6-March 13, 2008.
Find out more about the Vermont Studio Center at
VSC
Find out more about the Vermont Studio Center at
VSC
Rodney Jones to read in our nation's capital
SIUC's own Rodney Jones will read from his work at the Library of Congress on March 27, 2008.
Details here:
Library of Congress
Details here:
Library of Congress
Monday, March 03, 2008
A Letter to the Editor
Second-year poetry MFA student Andy McFadyen-Ketchum has an insightful letter in today's school paper that everyone who teaches on a college campus should read:
Daily Egyptian
Daily Egyptian
Poemspotting: David Bond (MFA '98) Edition
"The Tower at Giant City Park," a poem by David Bond (MFA '98, poetry), appears in the new issue of Big Muddy: A Journal of the Mississippi River Valley. Big Muddy is published by Southeast Missouri State University.
Find out more about Big Muddy at
Big Muddy
Find out more about Big Muddy at
Big Muddy
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Poemspotting: Jake Boyd (MFA '07) edition
"Coal or Christmas Lights," a poem by Jake Boyd (MFA '07, poetry) appears in the new issue of Hayden's Ferry Review (Fall/Winter 2007-2008, Issue 41).
Find out more about Hayden's Ferry Review:
Hayden's Ferry Review
Find out more about Hayden's Ferry Review:
Hayden's Ferry Review
New Theater in Town
Here's an article featuring MFA '98 poetry graduate Catherine Field--she's instrumental in Carbondale's community theater group, the Stage Company. The group recently received a new home here in Carbondale:
The Southern
Wonder if Cathy would let us have readings there?
The Southern
Wonder if Cathy would let us have readings there?
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Upcoming Visiting Writers' Reading: Brian Barker and Nicky Beer
Mark your calendars for the first Visiting Writers Series Reading
of the Spring 2008 semester!
Poets Brian Barker and Nicky Beer will read on March 5, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium,
reception and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
Read work by Brian at
Blackbird
Read work by Nicky at
Verse Daily
of the Spring 2008 semester!
Poets Brian Barker and Nicky Beer will read on March 5, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium,
reception and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
Read work by Brian at
Blackbird
Read work by Nicky at
Verse Daily
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Last Days of Rosetta Stone
Last chance to score books from Rosetta Stone Bookstore:
Rosetta is closing its doors for good on Friday, Feb. 29th. Stop by now for great deals! We can't afford to have a giant "blowout sale" like large businesses, but through Friday:
All books are 10% off! (Poetry books 30% off! And select books 40% off!)
All cards, CDs, and local zines are 20% off!
And ALL magazines are 30% off!
Hope to see you soon!
Jessica Bradshaw
Owner
Rosetta Stone Bookstore
Inside Tropicana Vintage Clothing
Just off the square downtown
(212 North Washington Street, Rear)
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-457-5410
info@rosettastonebookstore.com
Rosetta Stone
Monday - Saturday 11 AM - 6 PM
Rosetta is closing its doors for good on Friday, Feb. 29th. Stop by now for great deals! We can't afford to have a giant "blowout sale" like large businesses, but through Friday:
All books are 10% off! (Poetry books 30% off! And select books 40% off!)
All cards, CDs, and local zines are 20% off!
And ALL magazines are 30% off!
Hope to see you soon!
Jessica Bradshaw
Owner
Rosetta Stone Bookstore
Inside Tropicana Vintage Clothing
Just off the square downtown
(212 North Washington Street, Rear)
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-457-5410
info@rosettastonebookstore.com
Rosetta Stone
Monday - Saturday 11 AM - 6 PM
Interview to Be Published
Second-year poetry MFA student Andy McFadyen-Ketchum has blog-worthy news:
"Thought I’d let you now that my interview, “A NOTE ON FICTIONAL TRUTH, a conversation with Ed Pavlic” will be featured in The Cortland Review this Spring."
Congrats, Andy--the Cortland Review can be accessed here
"Thought I’d let you now that my interview, “A NOTE ON FICTIONAL TRUTH, a conversation with Ed Pavlic” will be featured in The Cortland Review this Spring."
Congrats, Andy--the Cortland Review can be accessed here
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Pinckney Benedict Scores Again!
from today's e-mail:
I’ve been informed by George Brosi, the editor of Appalachian Heritage AH, that my story “Joe Messinger is Dreaming” which appeared in their Summer 2007 issue, is the winner of the Plattner Award for Outstanding Fiction, for the best story to appear in the magazine in 2007. The novelist Lee Maynard was the judge.
Also, SURREAL SOUTH has received an excellent notice in the January/February issue of BLOOMSBURY REVIEW
BR. The money quotes:
"heartwarming"
"highbrow, literary writing"
"New blood"
"the rejuvenation of fiction"
"an anthropological eye-opener"
"a dream portal"
"a pot of nightmares"
"marijuana, fear, fatigue, alcohol, rage, and betrayal"
(sounds like the recipe for a good old-fashioned Appalachian family reunion to me!)
"the dreams of a hot and sticky southern night"
"irresistible offering"
"sultry and unforgettable"
I will also take a moment to note that Mark Budman, the reviewer, singles out Laura’s contribution to the anthology for particular praise, calling it "the most visually imaginative and logistically complex of all the stories."
Congrats to the editors of Surreal South, Pinckney and Laura Benedict!
I’ve been informed by George Brosi, the editor of Appalachian Heritage AH, that my story “Joe Messinger is Dreaming” which appeared in their Summer 2007 issue, is the winner of the Plattner Award for Outstanding Fiction, for the best story to appear in the magazine in 2007. The novelist Lee Maynard was the judge.
Also, SURREAL SOUTH has received an excellent notice in the January/February issue of BLOOMSBURY REVIEW
BR. The money quotes:
"heartwarming"
"highbrow, literary writing"
"New blood"
"the rejuvenation of fiction"
"an anthropological eye-opener"
"a dream portal"
"a pot of nightmares"
"marijuana, fear, fatigue, alcohol, rage, and betrayal"
(sounds like the recipe for a good old-fashioned Appalachian family reunion to me!)
"the dreams of a hot and sticky southern night"
"irresistible offering"
"sultry and unforgettable"
I will also take a moment to note that Mark Budman, the reviewer, singles out Laura’s contribution to the anthology for particular praise, calling it "the most visually imaginative and logistically complex of all the stories."
Congrats to the editors of Surreal South, Pinckney and Laura Benedict!
Friday, February 22, 2008
More on Nobel Prize Winner Wole Soyinka's visit to SIUC
Here's a press release on all the events connected with Wole Soyinka's visit to SIUC:
SIUC News
SIUC News
This Saturday's Writers on the Road readings cancelled
Hello to all,
Due to the weather and resulting road conditions, the Writers on the Road event scheduled to be held tomorrow (2/23) has been cancelled. We'll send a new announcement if/when we schedule a make-up date.
Thanks,
Shanie
Thanks, Shanie, for the cancellation notice. By the way, take notice of the fact that Shanie was recently named a finalist in the Compass Rose Pat Parnell Poetry Contest--congrats!
Compass Rose
Due to the weather and resulting road conditions, the Writers on the Road event scheduled to be held tomorrow (2/23) has been cancelled. We'll send a new announcement if/when we schedule a make-up date.
Thanks,
Shanie
Thanks, Shanie, for the cancellation notice. By the way, take notice of the fact that Shanie was recently named a finalist in the Compass Rose Pat Parnell Poetry Contest--congrats!
Compass Rose
Upcoming Readings for Allison Joseph
SIUC faculty poet Allison Joseph will be doing two readings next week:
Monday, February 25, 2008, 7:00 pm
Cherry Hall 125
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:30 p.m,
Broward Community College South Campus
Building 68, Southern Breeze Dining Room
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Monday, February 25, 2008, 7:00 pm
Cherry Hall 125
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:30 p.m,
Broward Community College South Campus
Building 68, Southern Breeze Dining Room
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Comedy, Chicago-Style!
Much happier news in today's e-mail from Mark Vannier (MFA '03, fiction):
Hey, Allison,
I've been getting some good press for my latest ridiculous comedy show I co-wrote/created, including this EXCLUSIVE! important news feature:
CLTV
Our clip is on the right side under video clips, the one titled "Bodyslam!" I'm the short, balding, red-bearded one on the left.
Anyone in the Chicago area looking to waste a Friday night, let me know and I'll try to secure some discount tickets for you.
take care,
Mark Vannier
More info on Bodyslam!
Annoyance Productions
Hey, Allison,
I've been getting some good press for my latest ridiculous comedy show I co-wrote/created, including this EXCLUSIVE! important news feature:
CLTV
Our clip is on the right side under video clips, the one titled "Bodyslam!" I'm the short, balding, red-bearded one on the left.
Anyone in the Chicago area looking to waste a Friday night, let me know and I'll try to secure some discount tickets for you.
take care,
Mark Vannier
More info on Bodyslam!
Annoyance Productions
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A Carbondale Institution Is Closing
Just received this sad e-mail from Carbondale's radically independent bookstore, Rosetta Stone:
After 13 years of serving the community, Rosetta Stone Bookstore will be closing its doors on February 29th.
There are many reasons for the closure, but it comes down to the fact that sales are just too low. There have been many, many days where we've had one, two, or no sales. I have been working two - sometimes three - part-time jobs and still just barely scraping by. Even with the partnership with Tropicana Vintage Clothing, we are not making enough to pay our basic bills, and we have many, many debts to pay off. After this month, I'm hoping to get a full-time job.
We'll have all our magazines on display until the 29th, so please stop by & pick up a copy so you can fill out a subscription card. I know a lot of them would appreciate it, especially the smaller zines, who are also struggling in these tough economic times.
I hope that you continue to support Carbondale's independent businesses, including the Book Worm and Book World. I'm sure they would appreciate your business.
If you're an artist/author/musician and have items on consignment here, please come pick them up. If you can't make it in by Feb. 29th, please let us know (before the 29th).
Please stop by and show your support in these last few days. While we can't afford to have a big sale, everything is 10% off! We would really appreciate your support!
Thanks for everything you've done!
Jessica & Paula Bradshaw
Rosetta Stone Bookstore
Inside Tropicana Vintage Clothing
Just off the square downtown
(212 North Washington Street, Rear)
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-457-5410
info@rosettastonebookstore.com
Rosetta Stone Bookstore
Monday - Saturday 11 AM - 6 PM
After 13 years of serving the community, Rosetta Stone Bookstore will be closing its doors on February 29th.
There are many reasons for the closure, but it comes down to the fact that sales are just too low. There have been many, many days where we've had one, two, or no sales. I have been working two - sometimes three - part-time jobs and still just barely scraping by. Even with the partnership with Tropicana Vintage Clothing, we are not making enough to pay our basic bills, and we have many, many debts to pay off. After this month, I'm hoping to get a full-time job.
We'll have all our magazines on display until the 29th, so please stop by & pick up a copy so you can fill out a subscription card. I know a lot of them would appreciate it, especially the smaller zines, who are also struggling in these tough economic times.
I hope that you continue to support Carbondale's independent businesses, including the Book Worm and Book World. I'm sure they would appreciate your business.
If you're an artist/author/musician and have items on consignment here, please come pick them up. If you can't make it in by Feb. 29th, please let us know (before the 29th).
Please stop by and show your support in these last few days. While we can't afford to have a big sale, everything is 10% off! We would really appreciate your support!
Thanks for everything you've done!
Jessica & Paula Bradshaw
Rosetta Stone Bookstore
Inside Tropicana Vintage Clothing
Just off the square downtown
(212 North Washington Street, Rear)
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-457-5410
info@rosettastonebookstore.com
Rosetta Stone Bookstore
Monday - Saturday 11 AM - 6 PM
Young Writers Workshop 2008 Details
It's not too early to think about this year's Young Writers Workshop!
Details about this year's workshop (June 24-June 28, 2008) can be found
at
YWW
FYI: The Young Writers Workshop is a five-day program designed to give high school sophomores, juniors and seniors the chance to explore and develop their talents in poetry and prose writing. Students will hone their writing skills by participating in daily critique sessions lead by SIUC faculty, and by attending panels, readings, and craft discussions lead by SIUC creative writing faculty and graduate students.
Details about this year's workshop (June 24-June 28, 2008) can be found
at
YWW
FYI: The Young Writers Workshop is a five-day program designed to give high school sophomores, juniors and seniors the chance to explore and develop their talents in poetry and prose writing. Students will hone their writing skills by participating in daily critique sessions lead by SIUC faculty, and by attending panels, readings, and craft discussions lead by SIUC creative writing faculty and graduate students.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Upcoming Literary Events in Carbondale
The following noteworthy literary events are not sponsored by the MFA Program or English Department, but they are very much don't miss events:
Ray Suarez, Senior Correspondent, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 7PM
SIUC Student Center, Ballroom B
presenting the Jack and Muriel Hayward Lecture
Sponsored by the Public Policy Institute and WSIU
Press release here:
Ray Suarez
Nobel Prize-winning playwright, poet, author and memoirist Wole Soyinka
1986 Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature
Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 5PM
SIUC Student Center, Ballroom D
Details at
Public Policy Institute
Ray Suarez, Senior Correspondent, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 7PM
SIUC Student Center, Ballroom B
presenting the Jack and Muriel Hayward Lecture
Sponsored by the Public Policy Institute and WSIU
Press release here:
Ray Suarez
Nobel Prize-winning playwright, poet, author and memoirist Wole Soyinka
1986 Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature
Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 5PM
SIUC Student Center, Ballroom D
Details at
Public Policy Institute
Catching Up with Ben Percy (MFA '04)
Fiction graduate Ben Percy (MFA '04) has great news:
"The February issue of Men's Journal features my farewell to Evel Knievel.
Esquire has commissioned me to write a short story -- "April 20th" -- for their April, 2008 issue.
"Refresh, Refresh" will be included in Best of the Pushcart Prize, an anthology that includes the best work awarded the Pushcart since its inception. Ed. Bill Henderson. 2009.
"In the Rough," (originally published in the Antioch Review) will be included in Best of the West: Volume 6, an anthology that includes the best work from the "west side of the Missouri." Ed. D. Seth Horton. 2009."
for more about Ben, visit his web site at
Benjamin Percy
"The February issue of Men's Journal features my farewell to Evel Knievel.
Esquire has commissioned me to write a short story -- "April 20th" -- for their April, 2008 issue.
"Refresh, Refresh" will be included in Best of the Pushcart Prize, an anthology that includes the best work awarded the Pushcart since its inception. Ed. Bill Henderson. 2009.
"In the Rough," (originally published in the Antioch Review) will be included in Best of the West: Volume 6, an anthology that includes the best work from the "west side of the Missouri." Ed. D. Seth Horton. 2009."
for more about Ben, visit his web site at
Benjamin Percy
Monday, February 18, 2008
Writers on the Road Update, via Shanie Latham
Greetings,
We're very excited about our next "Writers on the Road" event, which will take place this Saturday from 3-6 and include readings by MFA students from three different MFA programs: Washington U in St. Louis, Murray State U, and U of Alabama. Chris Dennis, who is a graduate of SIUC's undergrad program, will be one of the readers representing Washington U.
We hope you'll be available to make it to some, if not all, of these readings. But even if you cannot, we do hope you'll spread the word about the event to your students, both graduate and undergraduate.
Please note a location change: The readings will not be in a River Room this time. Instead, they will take place in the Cambria Room, which is adjacent to the Renaissance Room (where the Gala has been held for the past two years.)
Thanks,
Shanie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Graduate Writers Forum
presents the fourth SIUC-hosted installment of
Writers on the Road
featuring fiction and poetry readings
by MFA students from
Washington University in St. Louis
Murray State University
The University of Alabama
Saturday, February 23, 2008
SIUC Student Center ~ Cambria Room
3 p.m. Murray State University
4 p.m. The University of Alabama
5 p.m. Washington University
All are welcome. Please spread the word.
We're very excited about our next "Writers on the Road" event, which will take place this Saturday from 3-6 and include readings by MFA students from three different MFA programs: Washington U in St. Louis, Murray State U, and U of Alabama. Chris Dennis, who is a graduate of SIUC's undergrad program, will be one of the readers representing Washington U.
We hope you'll be available to make it to some, if not all, of these readings. But even if you cannot, we do hope you'll spread the word about the event to your students, both graduate and undergraduate.
Please note a location change: The readings will not be in a River Room this time. Instead, they will take place in the Cambria Room, which is adjacent to the Renaissance Room (where the Gala has been held for the past two years.)
Thanks,
Shanie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Graduate Writers Forum
presents the fourth SIUC-hosted installment of
Writers on the Road
featuring fiction and poetry readings
by MFA students from
Washington University in St. Louis
Murray State University
The University of Alabama
Saturday, February 23, 2008
SIUC Student Center ~ Cambria Room
3 p.m. Murray State University
4 p.m. The University of Alabama
5 p.m. Washington University
All are welcome. Please spread the word.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Congrats to Helena "Hel" Bell!
Third-year poetry MFA Helena "Hel" Bell has also had recent work accepted for publication:
"I thought I'd let you know that "Dalton's Law" has been accepted for publication by Rattle."
Congrats, Hel!
Here's the link:
RATTLE
In addition, Hel's also been accepted to more law schools:
Tulane University and Washington University at St. Louis!
"I thought I'd let you know that "Dalton's Law" has been accepted for publication by Rattle."
Congrats, Hel!
Here's the link:
RATTLE
In addition, Hel's also been accepted to more law schools:
Tulane University and Washington University at St. Louis!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Congrats to Renee Evans!
Second-year fiction MFA student Renee Evans also has good news:
"I just got a short story, "Traverse," accepted for the Spring 2008 issue of roger!"
Congrats, Renee!
Roger is the new literary journal connected to Roger Williams University, located in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Here's the link:
Roger
"I just got a short story, "Traverse," accepted for the Spring 2008 issue of roger!"
Congrats, Renee!
Roger is the new literary journal connected to Roger Williams University, located in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Here's the link:
Roger
Congrats to Amie Whittemore!
First-year poetry MFA student Amie Whittemore has good publication news to share:
"Two of my poems have recently been accepted for publication: "The Other Runner" will be in Quiddity's inaugural issue (April 2008), and "Visitation" will be in Fifth Wednesday Journal's spring 2008 edition."
Congrats, Amie!
Here are the links:
Quiddity
Fifth Wednesday
"Two of my poems have recently been accepted for publication: "The Other Runner" will be in Quiddity's inaugural issue (April 2008), and "Visitation" will be in Fifth Wednesday Journal's spring 2008 edition."
Congrats, Amie!
Here are the links:
Quiddity
Fifth Wednesday
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Congrats to James Scoles!
First year fiction writer James Scoles has even more good news to share:
"beth wanted me to write... and let you know that i just won
first prize in the 2008 Prairie Fire Short Fiction Contest.
the award carries a $1250 cash prize, plus payment for
publication (summer, 2008).
'El Juego' was the first short story i workshopped with beth
last semester, which i revised over november break. again,
huge thanks to beth, and the workshop."
Tremendous news, James! Congratulations!
Here's the link:
Prairie Fire
"beth wanted me to write... and let you know that i just won
first prize in the 2008 Prairie Fire Short Fiction Contest.
the award carries a $1250 cash prize, plus payment for
publication (summer, 2008).
'El Juego' was the first short story i workshopped with beth
last semester, which i revised over november break. again,
huge thanks to beth, and the workshop."
Tremendous news, James! Congratulations!
Here's the link:
Prairie Fire
Pinckney Benedict Reprints and Accolades
from the fabulous fiction faculty member, Pinckney Benedict:
"My story “Bridge of Sighs” (originally published in the Summer
2007 issue of Zoetrope: All-Story) has been selected by guest editor ZZ
Packer for New Stories from the South: Best of 2008, due out from Algonquin
Books in September 2008.
Also, my story “Mercy” (originally published in the Fall/Winter 2006/2007 issue of Ontario Review and recently reprinted in PushcartPrize XXXII) will be included in
21st Century American Short Fiction, due out from Ecco Press in August 2008. The volume is edited by Joyce Carol Oates and includes work from, among others, Richard Bausch, Michael Chabon, Mary Gaitskill, Edward P. Jones, Lorrie Moore, George Saunders, and Tobias Wolff."
That Pinckney's quality!
"My story “Bridge of Sighs” (originally published in the Summer
2007 issue of Zoetrope: All-Story) has been selected by guest editor ZZ
Packer for New Stories from the South: Best of 2008, due out from Algonquin
Books in September 2008.
Also, my story “Mercy” (originally published in the Fall/Winter 2006/2007 issue of Ontario Review and recently reprinted in PushcartPrize XXXII) will be included in
21st Century American Short Fiction, due out from Ecco Press in August 2008. The volume is edited by Joyce Carol Oates and includes work from, among others, Richard Bausch, Michael Chabon, Mary Gaitskill, Edward P. Jones, Lorrie Moore, George Saunders, and Tobias Wolff."
That Pinckney's quality!
Poetry Reading Cancelled Tonight (Feb. 13)
Due to bad weather conditions, the poetry reading by Allison Joseph (scheduled for tonight at 6 pm in the Student Center on campus) has been cancelled. The AAUW regrets the cancellation, and will work to reschedule the event.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06) Georgia Poetry Circuit dates
Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06, poetry) will be on the road this month, doing readings in the state of Georgia on the Georgia Poetry Circuit:
Monday, February 18, Brenau University, Gainesville
Reading: Noon, Banks Recital Hall
Tuesday, February 19, Georgia Perimeter College, Clarkston Campus
Reading: 5:30 pm, JCLRC
Wednesday, February 20, Georgia Perimeter College, Decatur Campus
Reading: 12:30 pm, A Building, Library Gallery
Thursday, February 21, University of Georgia, Athens
Reading: 12:30 pm, in Park Hall room 261.
Friday, February 22, Berry College, Rome
Reading: 3 pm, Science Auditorium
More dates to come in April.
Monday, February 18, Brenau University, Gainesville
Reading: Noon, Banks Recital Hall
Tuesday, February 19, Georgia Perimeter College, Clarkston Campus
Reading: 5:30 pm, JCLRC
Wednesday, February 20, Georgia Perimeter College, Decatur Campus
Reading: 12:30 pm, A Building, Library Gallery
Thursday, February 21, University of Georgia, Athens
Reading: 12:30 pm, in Park Hall room 261.
Friday, February 22, Berry College, Rome
Reading: 3 pm, Science Auditorium
More dates to come in April.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Story Spotting: Chris Bryson (MFA '07)
from Chris Bryson (MFA '07, fiction):
"Thought I'd let you know I got the new issue of The Madison Review, and it has my short-short story "Sunglasses" in it."
Congrats, Bryson!
Here's the link:
Madison Review
"Thought I'd let you know I got the new issue of The Madison Review, and it has my short-short story "Sunglasses" in it."
Congrats, Bryson!
Here's the link:
Madison Review
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Congrats to James Scoles!
First-year fiction MFA student has some genre-jumping good news to share:
"i had a story accepted in january, which will appear in the
spring issue of Prairie Fire, a literary journal in canada.
'An Early Grey Cup' was a 20-page short story from workshop
last semester with beth, which eventually i worked into a much
stronger piece of creative non-fiction (especial thanks to beth
on that one)."
Congrats, James!
Here's the link:
Prairie Fire
"i had a story accepted in january, which will appear in the
spring issue of Prairie Fire, a literary journal in canada.
'An Early Grey Cup' was a 20-page short story from workshop
last semester with beth, which eventually i worked into a much
stronger piece of creative non-fiction (especial thanks to beth
on that one)."
Congrats, James!
Here's the link:
Prairie Fire
Monday, February 04, 2008
SIUC MFA Grads in the new issue of Natural Bridge
Poems by MFA '07 poetry grad James Thomas Miller ("Poem for Gator Hinds" and "The Rules of the Game") and MFA poetry grad '05 Chad Parmenter ("A Purr for Julie Newmar, the One True Catwoman") appear in the latest issue of Natural Bridge, the literary journal located at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Natural Bridge website:
Natural Bridge
Natural Bridge website:
Natural Bridge
Upcoming Literary Event in Carbondale
This Wednesday 2/6 @ Melange:
Reading & Drinking
7 pm
607 S Illinois Avenue, Carbondale
Poetry-Fiction-Drama-Drink Specials-Trivia-Prizes
Reading & Drinking
7 pm
607 S Illinois Avenue, Carbondale
Poetry-Fiction-Drama-Drink Specials-Trivia-Prizes
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Poems forthcoming for Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06)
from today's e-mail:
"The title poem for my in-the-printers-now chapbook, "The Clay-Shaper's Husband", was taken by Ploughshares. Another poem, "Husband for a Day", was taken by Pearl."
Congrats, MM!
"The title poem for my in-the-printers-now chapbook, "The Clay-Shaper's Husband", was taken by Ploughshares. Another poem, "Husband for a Day", was taken by Pearl."
Congrats, MM!
Friday, February 01, 2008
And the hits just keep on comin'!
This just in...
Two of our fiction professors, Pinckney Benedict and Jacinda Townsend, have received awards from the Illinois Arts Council. Pinckney Benedict has received a Individual Artist Fellowship in Prose for Fiscal Year 08 ($7000). Jacinda Townsend is the recipient of a Finalist Award in Prose ($700). The official announcement of the awards can be found at
IAC
I'm especially encouraged to note that we were the only locale outside of the Chicagoland area to receive two awards.
Two of our fiction professors, Pinckney Benedict and Jacinda Townsend, have received awards from the Illinois Arts Council. Pinckney Benedict has received a Individual Artist Fellowship in Prose for Fiscal Year 08 ($7000). Jacinda Townsend is the recipient of a Finalist Award in Prose ($700). The official announcement of the awards can be found at
IAC
I'm especially encouraged to note that we were the only locale outside of the Chicagoland area to receive two awards.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Paul Guest (MFA '99) Rules!
Paul Guest (MFA '99, poetry) has received a contract for his memoir and his third collection of poems from the internationally renowned Ecco Press!
Check out this announcement from Publishers Weekly:
Publisher's Weekly
Paul, you rule! Congratulations!
Check out this announcement from Publishers Weekly:
Publisher's Weekly
Paul, you rule! Congratulations!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Recognition for Curtis Crisler
Tough Boy Sonatas, the first collection of poems by Curtis Crisler (MFA '04, poetry) continues to receive recognition:
"In Booklist 2007 Editor's Choice Vol. 104, No. 9/10 Tough Boy Sonatas got another spread on page 56, and we got on: 1) SLJ Best Books, 2) Best Books for Young Adults (nominee) YALSA/ALA, 3) Cybils Poetry Award (nominee)."
Thanks, Curtis, for the update!
"In Booklist 2007 Editor's Choice Vol. 104, No. 9/10 Tough Boy Sonatas got another spread on page 56, and we got on: 1) SLJ Best Books, 2) Best Books for Young Adults (nominee) YALSA/ALA, 3) Cybils Poetry Award (nominee)."
Thanks, Curtis, for the update!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Allison Joseph first place winner in Elizabeth R. Curry poetry contest
Allison Joseph's poem "What Poetry Is" has been awarded first place in the annual Elizabeth R. Curry poetry contest, sponsored by SLAB (Slippery Rock University).
SLAB
SLAB
Ingrid Moody (MFA '07) finalist for Philip Levine Prize
Ingrid Moody's manuscript "Arriving After Dark" was a finalist for the 2007 Philip Levine Prize, a contest co-sponsored by Anhinga Press and the MFA Program in Creative Writing at CSU Fresno.
More about the Levine Prize:
CSU Fresno
More about the Levine Prize:
CSU Fresno
Adrian Matejka to teach at Summer Writers Institute
Adrian Matejka (MFA '01, poetry) will teach the poetry workshop at this summer's Summer Writers Institute at Washington University in St. Louis.
More information at
Summer Writers Institute
More information at
Summer Writers Institute
Douglas Haynes (MFA '02) to Present at AWP Conference
Douglas Haynes (MFA '02, poetry) will be presenting at the upcoming AWP Conference in NYC:
"I'll be there--I'm presenting a paper at the Pedagogy Forum on Friday morning (my paper is also one of twenty selected to be published as "The Best of the Pedagogy Forum" on the AWP website)."
Douglas is also interested in getting together with other SIUC MFA alums and current students. Contact him if you'd like to make plans. He can be reached at New England College
"I'll be there--I'm presenting a paper at the Pedagogy Forum on Friday morning (my paper is also one of twenty selected to be published as "The Best of the Pedagogy Forum" on the AWP website)."
Douglas is also interested in getting together with other SIUC MFA alums and current students. Contact him if you'd like to make plans. He can be reached at New England College
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Congrats to Alex Lumans!
from today's e-mail. Congrats are in order
for second-year fiction writer Alex Lumans:
I got a story accepted for publication in Clarkesworld. The
story is called "The Human Moments." It will come out on February
1st and can be read at
Clarkesworld
for second-year fiction writer Alex Lumans:
I got a story accepted for publication in Clarkesworld. The
story is called "The Human Moments." It will come out on February
1st and can be read at
Clarkesworld
Friday, January 25, 2008
Additional Reading for the Spring 2008 Schedule
The Carbondale Branch of the American Association of University Women
presents a poetry reading by
SIUC poet and professor Allison Joseph
February 13, 2008
SIUC Student Center Missouri Room, 6PM
Free and Open to the Public
Allison Joseph is the author of five collections of poetry: What Keeps Us Here (Ampersand Press, 1992), Soul Train (Carnegie-Mellon University Press, 1997), In Every Seam (University of Pittsburgh Press, 1997), Imitation of Life (Carnegie-Mellon University Press, 2003), and Worldly Pleasures (Word Press, 2004). Her poems have appeared in journals and anthologies such as Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, Southern Review, Giant Steps: The New Generation of African American Writers, and The Extraordinary Tide: New Poetry by American Women. She has received fellowships from the Illinois Arts Council and the Bread Loaf and Sewanee Writers Conferences.
A faculty member at SIUC since 1994, Allison serves as editor and poetry editor of Crab Orchard Review, SIUC’s national journal of creative works, and director of the Young Writers Workshop, an annual creative writing workshop held on the Carbondale campus each June for high school-aged writers.
presents a poetry reading by
SIUC poet and professor Allison Joseph
February 13, 2008
SIUC Student Center Missouri Room, 6PM
Free and Open to the Public
Allison Joseph is the author of five collections of poetry: What Keeps Us Here (Ampersand Press, 1992), Soul Train (Carnegie-Mellon University Press, 1997), In Every Seam (University of Pittsburgh Press, 1997), Imitation of Life (Carnegie-Mellon University Press, 2003), and Worldly Pleasures (Word Press, 2004). Her poems have appeared in journals and anthologies such as Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, Southern Review, Giant Steps: The New Generation of African American Writers, and The Extraordinary Tide: New Poetry by American Women. She has received fellowships from the Illinois Arts Council and the Bread Loaf and Sewanee Writers Conferences.
A faculty member at SIUC since 1994, Allison serves as editor and poetry editor of Crab Orchard Review, SIUC’s national journal of creative works, and director of the Young Writers Workshop, an annual creative writing workshop held on the Carbondale campus each June for high school-aged writers.
Congratulations are in order for...
Third-year poetry MFA Tim Shea, whose poem "Looking at a Photograph from Wartime, I Will Be the Next Hit by Fire," was accepted for publication by RATTLE.
Third-year poetry MFA Helena "Hel" Bell, who has been accepted to law school at Campbell University and the University of Illinois.
MFA '07 poetry grad Elisabeth "Lis" Meyer, whose poem “Miscommunication, On the Theme of Birds” was selected by the judges as the 1st runner-up in University of Kentucky Poetry Broadsides Contest at the University of Kentucky, where Lis is currently a doctoral student in literature. Her poem will be printed as a broadside by the King Library Press and displayed around campus.
Third-year poetry MFA Helena "Hel" Bell, who has been accepted to law school at Campbell University and the University of Illinois.
MFA '07 poetry grad Elisabeth "Lis" Meyer, whose poem “Miscommunication, On the Theme of Birds” was selected by the judges as the 1st runner-up in University of Kentucky Poetry Broadsides Contest at the University of Kentucky, where Lis is currently a doctoral student in literature. Her poem will be printed as a broadside by the King Library Press and displayed around campus.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
2008 Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest Guidelines
ANNOUNCING THE 2008 ROXANA RIVERA MEMORIAL POETRY CONTEST
Join SIUC’s Creative Writing and Women’s Studies Programs as we honor the memory of a wonderful poet and celebrate Women’s History Month.
The Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest honors the memory of Roxana Rivera (1977-2003), who was a first-year creative writing graduate student from Lynwood, California. Roxana, a graduate of California State University Long Beach, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and English. While at SIUC, Roxana was a PROMPT Scholar and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of English.
To remember this special woman and poet, a campus-wide poetry contest will be held, with divisions for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Gift certificates will be awarded as prizes in both divisions:
$80 for first place $40 for second place $25 for third place
This contest is open to all students currently enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Students of all majors are encouraged to participate in this contest.
This Year’s Theme: “It Takes A Woman”
DEADLINE: Friday, March 21, 2008
Submission Guidelines:
Submit an entry packet with:
1) A cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and poem titles. Indicate on your cover sheet whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student.
2) Poem(s) on individual sheets (one poem only per page). No identifying information on the poems themselves, please. There is no entry fee, but there is a limit of three poems per entrant.
The contest theme is provided to spark your creativity, and entries that reflect upon the theme in the lives of women are particularly welcome.
Entry packets should be submitted to Prof. Allison Joseph, English Dept., Faner Hall 2380, Mail Code 4503. Entries may be sent via campus mail or dropped off at the English Department office (Faner Hall 2380) during regular campus office hours. Winners will be honored at a special awards ceremony to be held on March 27, 2008.
Join SIUC’s Creative Writing and Women’s Studies Programs as we honor the memory of a wonderful poet and celebrate Women’s History Month.
The Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest honors the memory of Roxana Rivera (1977-2003), who was a first-year creative writing graduate student from Lynwood, California. Roxana, a graduate of California State University Long Beach, earned her Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and English. While at SIUC, Roxana was a PROMPT Scholar and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of English.
To remember this special woman and poet, a campus-wide poetry contest will be held, with divisions for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Gift certificates will be awarded as prizes in both divisions:
$80 for first place $40 for second place $25 for third place
This contest is open to all students currently enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Students of all majors are encouraged to participate in this contest.
This Year’s Theme: “It Takes A Woman”
DEADLINE: Friday, March 21, 2008
Submission Guidelines:
Submit an entry packet with:
1) A cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and poem titles. Indicate on your cover sheet whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student.
2) Poem(s) on individual sheets (one poem only per page). No identifying information on the poems themselves, please. There is no entry fee, but there is a limit of three poems per entrant.
The contest theme is provided to spark your creativity, and entries that reflect upon the theme in the lives of women are particularly welcome.
Entry packets should be submitted to Prof. Allison Joseph, English Dept., Faner Hall 2380, Mail Code 4503. Entries may be sent via campus mail or dropped off at the English Department office (Faner Hall 2380) during regular campus office hours. Winners will be honored at a special awards ceremony to be held on March 27, 2008.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Upcoming Visitors: Writers on the Road Reading Series
An update from Shanie Latham about "Writers on the Road":
The next "Writers on the Road" event is this Friday, Jan. 25, from 4 to 5 in the Mississippi Room and will feature graduate students from the University of Missouri - Kansas City reading from their fiction and poetry.
The reading is free and open to the public.
The next "Writers on the Road" event is this Friday, Jan. 25, from 4 to 5 in the Mississippi Room and will feature graduate students from the University of Missouri - Kansas City reading from their fiction and poetry.
The reading is free and open to the public.
Monday, January 21, 2008
SIUC at the 2008 AWP Conference in New York, NY
Though SIUC is not a sponsor for this year's AWP Conference in New York City, several MFA Carbondale folks will be at the conference, serving on panels:
Friday, February 1, 2008, 12-1:15 PM
Conference Room K
Sheraton, Lower Level, Executive Conference Center
F149. Keeping Things Afloat: The Business of Literary Magazine Publishing. (Ron Mitchell, Lynne Nugent, Richard Sowienski, JON TRIBBLE) Managing editors from Crab Orchard Review, The Iowa Review, The Missouri Review, and Southern Indiana Review, literary journals that differ in print run, staff, and budget-but not ambition-explore the dual roles of managing content and commerce, addressing unique and shared operating challenges in the current climate of fiscal crisis, including administering contests, "in-sourcing" production and design, securing grants, and implementing both traditional and web-based marketing strategies.
Friday, February 1, 2008, 12-1:15 PM
Conference Room E
Sheraton, Lower Level, Executive Conference Center
F148. Writing and Motherhood. (JACINDA TOWNSEND, Dani Shapiro, Ann Hood, Crystal Wilkinson, Lori Tharps, Joey Flamm Costello) Writing, claims author Jessamyn West, is a solitary occupation, with family, friends, and society a writer's natural enemies, and indeed, society often sees parenthood as antithetical to authorship. Yet many women and men successfully write through their parenting years. Our panel is composed of six mothers who will discuss the cohabitation of motherhood and authorship. Among other topics, we will explore questions of how we overcome intrusions into the "rooms of our own," and whether these intrusions themselves often allow us to produce.
Saturday, February 2, 2008, 9-10:15 AM
Mercury Ballroom
Hilton, 3rd Floor
S112. Ultra-talk Poetry. (David Kirby, Barbara Hamby, RODNEY JONES, Mark Halliday, Adrian Blevins) The Spring 2007 issue of TriQuarterly, "The Ultra-talk Issue", was compiled by guest editors Barbara Hamby and David Kirby and consists of 104 poems by 64 poets, including Collins, Olds, Perillo, Hoagland, and Goldbarth. Ultra-talk poetry has been called "garrulous to an extreme, quite often self-reflexive, determinedly associative, and frequently humorous." Panelists will discuss the ultra-talk aesthetic using their own and others' poems from the TriQuarterly issue.
For more information about AWP and the annual conference, visit
Association of Writers and Writing Programs
SIUC will be a sponsor for AWP in 2009, when the conference returns to Chicago.
Friday, February 1, 2008, 12-1:15 PM
Conference Room K
Sheraton, Lower Level, Executive Conference Center
F149. Keeping Things Afloat: The Business of Literary Magazine Publishing. (Ron Mitchell, Lynne Nugent, Richard Sowienski, JON TRIBBLE) Managing editors from Crab Orchard Review, The Iowa Review, The Missouri Review, and Southern Indiana Review, literary journals that differ in print run, staff, and budget-but not ambition-explore the dual roles of managing content and commerce, addressing unique and shared operating challenges in the current climate of fiscal crisis, including administering contests, "in-sourcing" production and design, securing grants, and implementing both traditional and web-based marketing strategies.
Friday, February 1, 2008, 12-1:15 PM
Conference Room E
Sheraton, Lower Level, Executive Conference Center
F148. Writing and Motherhood. (JACINDA TOWNSEND, Dani Shapiro, Ann Hood, Crystal Wilkinson, Lori Tharps, Joey Flamm Costello) Writing, claims author Jessamyn West, is a solitary occupation, with family, friends, and society a writer's natural enemies, and indeed, society often sees parenthood as antithetical to authorship. Yet many women and men successfully write through their parenting years. Our panel is composed of six mothers who will discuss the cohabitation of motherhood and authorship. Among other topics, we will explore questions of how we overcome intrusions into the "rooms of our own," and whether these intrusions themselves often allow us to produce.
Saturday, February 2, 2008, 9-10:15 AM
Mercury Ballroom
Hilton, 3rd Floor
S112. Ultra-talk Poetry. (David Kirby, Barbara Hamby, RODNEY JONES, Mark Halliday, Adrian Blevins) The Spring 2007 issue of TriQuarterly, "The Ultra-talk Issue", was compiled by guest editors Barbara Hamby and David Kirby and consists of 104 poems by 64 poets, including Collins, Olds, Perillo, Hoagland, and Goldbarth. Ultra-talk poetry has been called "garrulous to an extreme, quite often self-reflexive, determinedly associative, and frequently humorous." Panelists will discuss the ultra-talk aesthetic using their own and others' poems from the TriQuarterly issue.
For more information about AWP and the annual conference, visit
Association of Writers and Writing Programs
SIUC will be a sponsor for AWP in 2009, when the conference returns to Chicago.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Congrats to Kerry James Evans!
a note in today's e-mail from Kerry James Evans, (second-year MFA, poetry):
"Iron Horse took a poem, "Design" for their National Poetry Month Issue."
Congrats, KJE!
Iron Horse Literary Review
"Iron Horse took a poem, "Design" for their National Poetry Month Issue."
Congrats, KJE!
Iron Horse Literary Review
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Congrats to Jason Lee Brown!
from today's e-mail:
"Trellis Magazine accepted my poem “Ballad of Hachiko” for publication."
Links:
Trellis Magazine: Trellis
Hachiko: Hachiko
Congrats, Jason!
"Trellis Magazine accepted my poem “Ballad of Hachiko” for publication."
Links:
Trellis Magazine: Trellis
Hachiko: Hachiko
Congrats, Jason!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Sabbatical T-shirt Sale
To fund her sabbatical travels, Allison is now selling the 2007 MFA Carbondale t-shirt for a mere $5 a pop! To get yours, e-mail her:
Allison
The t-shirts are beige, with the slogan "Write Your Life" on the front, and the mfacarbondale.blogspot.com address on back.
Allison
The t-shirts are beige, with the slogan "Write Your Life" on the front, and the mfacarbondale.blogspot.com address on back.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Adrian Matejka (MFA '01) poems forthcoming in American Poetry Review
Poems from Adrian Matejka's series on legendary boxer Jack Johnson have been accepted by American Poetry Review!:
"The poems The American Poetry Review is taking,"Sporting Life" and "Battle Royale," are both from the Jack Johnson project (that sounds like a soft jazz ensemble--The Jack Johnson Project, tonight at the Holiday Inn lounge). They didn't say when the poems were going to actually show up in the journal, but I'm patient."
Congrats, AD!
APR Web Site:APR
About Jack Johnson:
Wikipedia
"The poems The American Poetry Review is taking,"Sporting Life" and "Battle Royale," are both from the Jack Johnson project (that sounds like a soft jazz ensemble--The Jack Johnson Project, tonight at the Holiday Inn lounge). They didn't say when the poems were going to actually show up in the journal, but I'm patient."
Congrats, AD!
APR Web Site:
About Jack Johnson:
Poemspotting: January 2008 edition
"Bioluminescence," a poem by Jason Lee Brown, third-year fiction MFA, appears in the new issue of Spoon River Poetry Review.
"Ghost Story," a poem by Sara Burge, third-year poetry MFA, appears in the new issue of Court Green (as a part of the "Sylvia Plath" dossier).
"Blue Ribbon Tomato Soup," a poem by Kerry James Evans, second-year poetry MFA, also appears in the new issue of Court Green (though not in the "Sylvia Plath" dossier).
"Elegy for a Horse's Ass" and "Blue Collar Eulogy," poems by Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06), appear in the new issue of MARGIE.
"Ghost Story," a poem by Sara Burge, third-year poetry MFA, appears in the new issue of Court Green (as a part of the "Sylvia Plath" dossier).
"Blue Ribbon Tomato Soup," a poem by Kerry James Evans, second-year poetry MFA, also appears in the new issue of Court Green (though not in the "Sylvia Plath" dossier).
"Elegy for a Horse's Ass" and "Blue Collar Eulogy," poems by Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06), appear in the new issue of MARGIE.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Welcome Liam!!!
from second-year MFA student in poetry Will Tyler:
For those of you who don't know, Liam Henry Tyler was born on Dec. 30, 2007 at 12:12 am. He weighed 6 lbs, 10.7 oz and was 20 inches long.
In case you're calculating, yes, he was a little early, but is doing quite well. Bethany developed preeclampsia very suddenly in the week before Christmas and got to spend both Christmas and New Year's Eve in the hospital. Both mother and baby are healthy now, however, and everyone was able to go home on January 1st.
Congrats, Will and Bethany!
For those of you who don't know, Liam Henry Tyler was born on Dec. 30, 2007 at 12:12 am. He weighed 6 lbs, 10.7 oz and was 20 inches long.
In case you're calculating, yes, he was a little early, but is doing quite well. Bethany developed preeclampsia very suddenly in the week before Christmas and got to spend both Christmas and New Year's Eve in the hospital. Both mother and baby are healthy now, however, and everyone was able to go home on January 1st.
Congrats, Will and Bethany!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Spring Semester 2008: Readings on the SIUC campus
Here's a list of Spring 2008 dates and readers.
Additional readings may be added--watch this blog for updates.
03/05 - Visiting Writers Series Reading by poets Brian Barker and Nicky
Beer, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium, reception
and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
03/17 - Visiting Writers Series Reading by fiction writer
Asali Solomon, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium,
reception and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
03/27 - Women’s History Month Poetry Reading by the six winners of
the Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest and this year’s judge,
poet Sandy Longhorn. 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium,
reception and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
04/10 - Crab Orchard Series in Poetry Reading by Ciaran Berry,
author of THE SPHERE OF BIRDS (published by SIU Press), 4:00 - 4:50
p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium reception and book signing in
Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
04/24 - Crab Orchard Series in Poetry Reading by Jake Adam York,
author of A MURMURATION OF STARLINGS (published by SIU Press), 4:00 –
4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Video Lounge (Fourth Floor),
reception and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
Additional readings may be added--watch this blog for updates.
03/05 - Visiting Writers Series Reading by poets Brian Barker and Nicky
Beer, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium, reception
and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
03/17 - Visiting Writers Series Reading by fiction writer
Asali Solomon, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium,
reception and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
03/27 - Women’s History Month Poetry Reading by the six winners of
the Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest and this year’s judge,
poet Sandy Longhorn. 4:00 - 4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium,
reception and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
04/10 - Crab Orchard Series in Poetry Reading by Ciaran Berry,
author of THE SPHERE OF BIRDS (published by SIU Press), 4:00 - 4:50
p.m. – SIUC Student Center Auditorium reception and book signing in
Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
04/24 - Crab Orchard Series in Poetry Reading by Jake Adam York,
author of A MURMURATION OF STARLINGS (published by SIU Press), 4:00 –
4:50 p.m. – SIUC Student Center Video Lounge (Fourth Floor),
reception and book signing in Old Main Lounge (5:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
Monday, January 07, 2008
Congrats to Laura Gross!
First-year poetry MFA Laura Gross has some exciting news to share:
"My poem "3AM" has been accepted by an online publication called
Chantarelle's Notebook. I believe it will be on their website
Chantarelle's Notebook
some time in February. It's one of my older poems that I wrote a few years ago, but
I'm glad that it has found a home."
Congrats, Laura!
"My poem "3AM" has been accepted by an online publication called
Chantarelle's Notebook. I believe it will be on their website
some time in February. It's one of my older poems that I wrote a few years ago, but
I'm glad that it has found a home."
Congrats, Laura!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Writers on the Road Reading at Murray State Update
Here's an update about the Murray State edition of Writers on the Road: the readers will be Jared Sexton, Andy McFadyen-Ketchum, and Tim Shea.
They will read in Faculty Hall on the Murray State University campus, Murray KY, room 208 from 1-2 pm on January 9.
They will read in Faculty Hall on the Murray State University campus, Murray KY, room 208 from 1-2 pm on January 9.
Friday, December 21, 2007
The Chapbook King Returns
These bits of good news arrived in this morning's mail from Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06, poetry):
" I found out this morning that my manuscript, "The Clay-Shaper's Husband", won the Codhill Press Chapbook Award. The prize is $500 and fifty copies. I know, I know... four chapbooks now, and I'm still trying to get that second full-length book taken somewhere! ;)
I also found out in today's mail that two of my poems, "Peccadillo" and "Samsara", are forthcoming in River Styx! :)"
Congrats, MM! You're on a roll!
" I found out this morning that my manuscript, "The Clay-Shaper's Husband", won the Codhill Press Chapbook Award. The prize is $500 and fifty copies. I know, I know... four chapbooks now, and I'm still trying to get that second full-length book taken somewhere! ;)
I also found out in today's mail that two of my poems, "Peccadillo" and "Samsara", are forthcoming in River Styx! :)"
Congrats, MM! You're on a roll!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Meyerhofer Reviewed in Mid-American Review
Congratulations to Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06, poetry) for receiving a rave review of his first full-length collection of poems, Leaving Iowa (Briery Creek Press, 2007) from Mid-American Review, the national literary journal headquartered at Bowling Green State University. An excerpt from the review, written by Karen Craigo, the journal's editor-in-chief, reads as follows:
"What is striking about the collection is its unabashed confessionalism. But it is confessionalism that has an effect on the reader--not just the effect of catharsis for the writer, like so many poems that tread into personal black waters. In writing about his own life, the death of his mother, his childhood poverty, his medical problems at birth that left visible marks on him for a lifetime--Meyerhofer offers a brand new way of seeing."
Congrats, MM!
"What is striking about the collection is its unabashed confessionalism. But it is confessionalism that has an effect on the reader--not just the effect of catharsis for the writer, like so many poems that tread into personal black waters. In writing about his own life, the death of his mother, his childhood poverty, his medical problems at birth that left visible marks on him for a lifetime--Meyerhofer offers a brand new way of seeing."
Congrats, MM!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Chapbook Forthcoming for Melanie Jordan (MFA '01)
Great news from Melanie Jordan (MFA '01, poetry)--Melanie's chapbook "Ghost Season" will be published by Ropewalk Press in Spring 2008. This press. located at the University of Southern Indiana, was the publisher of fellow SIUC MFA alum Matt Guenette's chapbook, A Hush of Something Endless.
Congrats, Melanie!
For more about Ropewalk Press, visit:
Ropewalk Press
Congrats, Melanie!
For more about Ropewalk Press, visit:
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Happy News from Jake Boyd (MFA '07)
Just received this note from Jake Boyd (MFA '07, poetry) about a sonnet of his to be published in an upcoming issue of Measure:
"It's called "Crow & Winter" and gonna be in the 2008 issue. So I'm stoked. Merry Christmas to you."
Congrats, Mr. Boyd!
For more about Measure, look here:
Measure
"It's called "Crow & Winter" and gonna be in the 2008 issue. So I'm stoked. Merry Christmas to you."
Congrats, Mr. Boyd!
For more about Measure, look here:
Beth Lordan and "Writers on the Road" to read at Murray State University
Beth Lordan, fierce fiction writer, longtime SIUC creative writing faculty member, and director of the SIUC Irish Studies Program will read at Murray State University on January 9, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the Clara M. Eagle Art Gallery (6th floor, Price-Doyle Fine Arts Building).
Earlier that same day, a trio of SIUC MFA graduate students--poets Will Tyler and Andy McFadyen-Ketchum and fiction writer Jared Sexton--will read during the Murray State MFA January residency. They will read in Faculty Hall, room 208 from 1-2 pm.
For more information on Murray State's MFA program, visit
Murray State MFA
Earlier that same day, a trio of SIUC MFA graduate students--poets Will Tyler and Andy McFadyen-Ketchum and fiction writer Jared Sexton--will read during the Murray State MFA January residency. They will read in Faculty Hall, room 208 from 1-2 pm.
For more information on Murray State's MFA program, visit
Monday, December 10, 2007
more on Pinckney and the Pushcart
Read here about Pinckney Benedict's latest Pushcart Prize, his third:
SIUC News
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Congrats to and a Tip from Jason Brown!
more happy news and a publishing tip from Jason Lee Brown, third-year fiction MFA:
"Natural Bridge has selected my poem “Why Mr. President Loves Soap Bubbles” for publication in Issue no. 19, guest edited by Mary Troy.
Check out the submission call for the next theme issue that ends December 31: “The Literature of Place, local or exotic.”
Natural Bridge
"Natural Bridge has selected my poem “Why Mr. President Loves Soap Bubbles” for publication in Issue no. 19, guest edited by Mary Troy.
Check out the submission call for the next theme issue that ends December 31: “The Literature of Place, local or exotic.”
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Congrats to Tim Shea!
Third-year poetry MFA student Tim Shea has had his poem "Baseball, 1996" accepted for publication by Poet Lore! The poem will appear in an issue due out in April 2008.
Congrats, T-Shea!
Poet Lore:
Poet Lore
Congrats, T-Shea!
Poet Lore:
Jason Brown Is a Busy Guy!
Third-year fiction MFA Jason Lee Brown has been a busy guy this semester! Here's what he's been up to:
"Third Wednesday has selected my poem “Haruka’s Sestina” for publication.
Third Wednesday
“Rooster,” an excerpt from my novella, appears in Emerging Writers Network’s Holiday Gift Email that was sent out last week.
Emerging Writers Network
My poem “The Embittered Muse” that was published in Pearl Magazine last year is now featured in Agora, an online journal of news, opinion, and creative expression written and produced by members of the English Department of Eastern Illinois University. Click on “Poetry Sampler” to read my poem.
AGORA
Congrats, Jason!
"Third Wednesday has selected my poem “Haruka’s Sestina” for publication.
“Rooster,” an excerpt from my novella, appears in Emerging Writers Network’s Holiday Gift Email that was sent out last week.
My poem “The Embittered Muse” that was published in Pearl Magazine last year is now featured in Agora, an online journal of news, opinion, and creative expression written and produced by members of the English Department of Eastern Illinois University. Click on “Poetry Sampler” to read my poem.
Congrats, Jason!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Upcoming Literary Events in Carbondale
Tonight @ Melange, Reading & Drinking, 7 pm
607 S Illinois Avenue, Carbondale
Poetry-Fiction-Drama-Drink Specials-Trivia-Prizes
The High Life: the Champagne of Poetry
Allison Joseph presents her English 382B class
reading from their poetry
Dec 10, 2007, 4 pm, SIUC Student Center
Kaskaskia Room
Both events are free and open to the public.
607 S Illinois Avenue, Carbondale
Poetry-Fiction-Drama-Drink Specials-Trivia-Prizes
The High Life: the Champagne of Poetry
Allison Joseph presents her English 382B class
reading from their poetry
Dec 10, 2007, 4 pm, SIUC Student Center
Kaskaskia Room
Both events are free and open to the public.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Congrats to Carolyn Alessio!
Former SIUC creative writing lecturer, current Crab Orchard Review prose editor, and all-around friend of the MFA program Carolyn Alessio has been awarded a Literature Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts!
Details here:
NEA
Details here:
Congrats to Andy McFadyen-Ketchum!
Congrats to second-year poetry MFA student Andy McFadyen-Ketchum, whose poem "For the Unspoken" was accepted for publication by Sou'wester, the national literary journal located at our sister university, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
For more about Sou'wester, visit
Sou'wester
For more about Sou'wester, visit
Monday, December 03, 2007
Anthology Announcement from Josh Woods!
The following comes from Josh (J. Dillon) Woods, second-year
fiction writer--congrats, Josh!
"The anthology I have been putting together, The Versus
Anthology, has found a home with the publisher Press 53
(http://www.press53.com). The release is set for spring 2009.
The works in VS will be based on the theme of pitting iconic
characters/forces against one another. VS has a fantastic list
of contributors, but there are still a few slots open, so feel
free to contact me at jw234(at)siu.edu if you are interested."
fiction writer--congrats, Josh!
"The anthology I have been putting together, The Versus
Anthology, has found a home with the publisher Press 53
(http://www.press53.com). The release is set for spring 2009.
The works in VS will be based on the theme of pitting iconic
characters/forces against one another. VS has a fantastic list
of contributors, but there are still a few slots open, so feel
free to contact me at jw234(at)siu.edu if you are interested."
Friday, November 30, 2007
A Grant for Crab Orchard Review!
Crab Orchard Review is pleased to announce that the journal has received a grant of $6,170 from the Illinois Arts Council. This grant is for general operating support for fiscal year 2008.
Hearty Congratulations to...
Chad Parmenter (MFA '05), whose poem "Batellite, Batellite of Love" was chosen by judge Dean Young as the poetry winner in this year's Black Warrior Review Poetry and Fiction Contest. Chad will receive $1000, and his poem will appear in the Spring 2008 issue of Black Warrior Review.
About this poem, Chad writes:
"These Batman poems have been some of the most fun of anything I've worked on in my life, and your suggestion at SIU-C, to bring in some of the villains, has helped them all, this poem in particular."
Congrats, CP!
Black Warrior Review's website:
Black Warrior Review
About this poem, Chad writes:
"These Batman poems have been some of the most fun of anything I've worked on in my life, and your suggestion at SIU-C, to bring in some of the villains, has helped them all, this poem in particular."
Congrats, CP!
Black Warrior Review's website:
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Writers on the Road Reading--November 30, 2007
The Graduate Writers Forum
of Southern Illinois University Carbondale
presents the second installment of
Writers on the Road
featuring fiction and poetry readings
by graduate writing students from
Columbia College Chicago
and
University of Missouri-Saint Louis
Friday, November 30, 2007
SIUC Student Center ~ Mississippi Room
3 p.m. ~ Readers from Columbia College Chicago’s Fiction MFA Program
4 p.m. ~ Readers from University of Missouri - St. Louis’s MFA Program
5 p.m. ~ Readers from Columbia College Chicago’s Poetry MFA Program
All are welcome. Please spread the word.
of Southern Illinois University Carbondale
presents the second installment of
Writers on the Road
featuring fiction and poetry readings
by graduate writing students from
Columbia College Chicago
and
University of Missouri-Saint Louis
Friday, November 30, 2007
SIUC Student Center ~ Mississippi Room
3 p.m. ~ Readers from Columbia College Chicago’s Fiction MFA Program
4 p.m. ~ Readers from University of Missouri - St. Louis’s MFA Program
5 p.m. ~ Readers from Columbia College Chicago’s Poetry MFA Program
All are welcome. Please spread the word.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Reminder: Career Talk for MFAs and Friends
REMINDER:
DO FRIES GO WITH THAT POEM? : A CAREER SEMINAR FOR CREATIVE WRITERS (AND THEIR FRIENDS)
Professors Pinckney Benedict and Allison Joseph invite you to a Career Seminar for MFA students (and any and all other interested students).
Where: Wednesday, November 28
When: from 4-5:30 pm
Where: in the Student Center Missouri Room.
This seminar will focus on
-resume and CV preparation
-job application etiquette for academic & non-academic jobs
-finding and applying for fellowships and grants for creative writers
-applying for/attending writing conferences and colonies
All are welcome to attend.
Event sponsored by the Graduate Writers Forum,
MFA Program in Creative Writing,
Department of English, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
DO FRIES GO WITH THAT POEM? : A CAREER SEMINAR FOR CREATIVE WRITERS (AND THEIR FRIENDS)
Professors Pinckney Benedict and Allison Joseph invite you to a Career Seminar for MFA students (and any and all other interested students).
Where: Wednesday, November 28
When: from 4-5:30 pm
Where: in the Student Center Missouri Room.
This seminar will focus on
-resume and CV preparation
-job application etiquette for academic & non-academic jobs
-finding and applying for fellowships and grants for creative writers
-applying for/attending writing conferences and colonies
All are welcome to attend.
Event sponsored by the Graduate Writers Forum,
MFA Program in Creative Writing,
Department of English, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
New poems by Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06)
New poems by Michael Meyerhofer appear in the latest issue of Arts & Letters (Issue Eighteen, Fall 2007). The poems are "Limbic Self-Loathing, Post Emperor's Chicken," and "Late September."
Congrats, MM!
Congrats, MM!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Allison Joseph reads tonight at the Ohio State University
The OSU Creative Writing Program Reading Series will present poet Allison Joseph on Thursday, November 15, 2007. Joseph will participate in a Forum/Q&A at 4:00 p.m. and give a public reading at 7:00 p.m. -- both in the Denney Hall Commons Room, 311 Denney Hall.
Allison Joseph is the author of What Keeps Us Here (Ampersand, 1992), Soul Train (Carnegie Mellon, 1997), In Every Seam (Pittsburgh, 1997), Imitation of Life (Carnegie Mellon, 2003) and Worldly Pleasures (Word Press, 2004). Her honors include the John C. Zacharis First Book Prize, fellowships from the Bread Loaf and Sewanee Writers Conferences, and an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship in Poetry. She is editor and poetry editor of Crab Orchard Review and director of the Young Writers Workshop, an annual summer residential creative writing workshop for high school writers. She holds the Judge Williams Holmes Cook Endowed Professorship at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
(event description courtesty the Ohio State Univ. English Dept. website).
Allison Joseph is the author of What Keeps Us Here (Ampersand, 1992), Soul Train (Carnegie Mellon, 1997), In Every Seam (Pittsburgh, 1997), Imitation of Life (Carnegie Mellon, 2003) and Worldly Pleasures (Word Press, 2004). Her honors include the John C. Zacharis First Book Prize, fellowships from the Bread Loaf and Sewanee Writers Conferences, and an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship in Poetry. She is editor and poetry editor of Crab Orchard Review and director of the Young Writers Workshop, an annual summer residential creative writing workshop for high school writers. She holds the Judge Williams Holmes Cook Endowed Professorship at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
(event description courtesty the Ohio State Univ. English Dept. website).
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Contest for current SIUC Students (Undergrads and Grads)
Announcing the 2007 Andy P. Smith Writing Contest
Department of English, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Open to SIUC Undergraduate and Graduate Students only
First prize: $200
Second Prize: $50
First and Second Prizes awarded to both an undergraduate and a graduate student
The topic for this year: How does integrity play a part in the world at large or in your chosen field?
Essay Guidelines:
Length: 1000-1500 words
Submission format:
Do not write your name or any identifying information on the essay.
Submit your essay with a coversheet bearing the following information:
Name
Address, phone number, e-mail (please include permanent contact information if you are graduating
this year).
Year in school and major
Essay title
Essays should be sent to Jennifer Justice (awards coordinator) in the Department of English (Faner 2380-Mailcode 4503, if using campus mail), and should arrive no late than 4 pm, January 30, 2008.
Department of English, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Open to SIUC Undergraduate and Graduate Students only
First prize: $200
Second Prize: $50
First and Second Prizes awarded to both an undergraduate and a graduate student
The topic for this year: How does integrity play a part in the world at large or in your chosen field?
Essay Guidelines:
Length: 1000-1500 words
Submission format:
Do not write your name or any identifying information on the essay.
Submit your essay with a coversheet bearing the following information:
Name
Address, phone number, e-mail (please include permanent contact information if you are graduating
this year).
Year in school and major
Essay title
Essays should be sent to Jennifer Justice (awards coordinator) in the Department of English (Faner 2380-Mailcode 4503, if using campus mail), and should arrive no late than 4 pm, January 30, 2008.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Upcoming "Writers on the Road" Visitors
Shanie Latham, the source of all that is good, tells me:
"We will be hosting an installment of Writers on the Road on Friday Nov. 30, from 3 to 6:30 p.m., featuring readers from both the poetry and the fiction programs at Columbia College Chicago, as well as readers from University of Missouri - St. Louis."
Welcome Columbia and UMSL writers!
"We will be hosting an installment of Writers on the Road on Friday Nov. 30, from 3 to 6:30 p.m., featuring readers from both the poetry and the fiction programs at Columbia College Chicago, as well as readers from University of Missouri - St. Louis."
Welcome Columbia and UMSL writers!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Rodney Jones, Aimee Mann, and Poetry Daily
Rodney Jones is featured on Poetry Daily today, with the poem "Deathly"--a poem that references both Aimee Mann and Carbondale:
Poetry Daily
Aimee Mann's website:
Aimee Mann
Aimee Mann's website:
Mark Your Calendars: Career Seminar for MFA Graduate Students
Professors Benedict and Joseph will host their annual Career Seminar for MFA students (and whoever else is interested) on Wednesday, November 28 from 4-5:30 pm in the Student Center Missouri Room.
This seminar will focus on
-resume and CV preparation
-job application etiquette for academic & non-academic jobs
-finding and applying for fellowships and grants for creative writers
-applying for/ attending writing conferences and colonies
All are welcome to attend.
Event sponsored by the Graduate Writers Forum,
Department of English, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
This seminar will focus on
-resume and CV preparation
-job application etiquette for academic & non-academic jobs
-finding and applying for fellowships and grants for creative writers
-applying for/ attending writing conferences and colonies
All are welcome to attend.
Event sponsored by the Graduate Writers Forum,
Department of English, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Road Trip for "Writers on the Road"!
SIUC MFA writers will be taking their act on the road--thanks, Shanie, for the details:
"The details about our first road trip for Writers on the Road: Jason Brown, John Flaherty, Andrew Lewellen, and Shanie Latham will read on the U of Illinois campus as part of their "Voice Reading Series" on Thursday Nov. 15. Reading starts at 8 p.m. and also will include readers other than us (I believe from U of I.) I was not given the actual name of the place we'll be in, but the address is 1209 W. Oregon St. in Urbana."
"The details about our first road trip for Writers on the Road: Jason Brown, John Flaherty, Andrew Lewellen, and Shanie Latham will read on the U of Illinois campus as part of their "Voice Reading Series" on Thursday Nov. 15. Reading starts at 8 p.m. and also will include readers other than us (I believe from U of I.) I was not given the actual name of the place we'll be in, but the address is 1209 W. Oregon St. in Urbana."
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
Poemspotting: Melanie Jordan edition
A new poem, "False Attribution," by Melanie Jordan (MFA '01, poetry) appears in the Fall 2007 issue of the Southern Indiana Review.
Jason Brown Poems forthcoming in Post Road
Another gem from the morning mail, from multitalented third-year fiction MFA student Jason Brown:
"Post Road has accepted my poems “My Older Brother, June Bug” and “Name I Will Never Forget” for publication."
Congrats, Jason!
Visit Post Road:
Post Road
"Post Road has accepted my poems “My Older Brother, June Bug” and “Name I Will Never Forget” for publication."
Congrats, Jason!
Visit Post Road:
Post Road
Pushcart for Pinckney!
Pinckney Benedict is way too modest (from my e-mail this morning):
"Hi, Allison. For what it’s worth, I have received Pushcart Prize XXXII: Best of the Small Presses 2008. It contains my story, “Mercy,” published in Ontario Review about this time last year."
Congratulations, PB!
"Hi, Allison. For what it’s worth, I have received Pushcart Prize XXXII: Best of the Small Presses 2008. It contains my story, “Mercy,” published in Ontario Review about this time last year."
Congratulations, PB!
