Joplin Benefit: Langston Out Loud

LANGSTON OUT LOUD: A BENEFIT FOR JOPLIN

Tuesday, June 14, 2011
4-6 pm
Harry T. Moore Auditorium, Faner Hall 1326

featuring readings from the work of Joplin's favorite son, Langston Hughes

The event is free and open to the public.
There will be drawings for door prizes and donations are welcome.

All donations raised will go to MIssouri Southern State University's fund for displaced students, faculty and staff members.

Congrats to Rick Pechous!

MFA '11 grad Rick Pechous has new publication news to report:

I'm happy to report that Knee-Jerk Magazine has accepted my short piece, "Life with Angela" for publication. It's up now as part of their June issue. You can read it here:

http://kneejerkmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=176:life-with-angela-by-rick-pechous&catid=13:stories

Congrats, Rick!!!

Catching Up with Jim Gill (MFA '99)

Fiction alum Jim Gill (MFA '99) writes with this update:

I have another short piece at The Common, an old piece that finally found a home. 

http://www.thecommononline.org/dispatches/night-fishing-devils-kitchen-lake

Also, I thought I'd let you know that I've recently been promoted and will be, for at least the next year, program director of the English Dept at Northwest Christian University here in Eugene.  Yeah, I know, me head of anything seems strange, much less an English Dept, but there it is.  I'm actually very excited to continue working with great colleagues and students in an even larger capacity.  Here's my faculty bio page if you want to post that.  The picture of me is pretty goofy looking, but I guess the camera doesn't lie.  

http://www.nwcu.edu/about/contact-us/by-department/arts-and-sciences/gill-james.aspx

Congrats, Jim!!!

more good news for Amie Whittemore

Hits just keep on coming for Amie Whittemore (MFA '10, poetry)

My flash fiction piece "She rhymed with jump, I rhymed with rope" has been picked up by the Bellingham Review.

Great cross-genre action, AW!!!

Congrats to Amie Whittemore!

Congrats to Amie Whittemore (MFA '10) on this upcoming publication:

I just wanted to let you know that my poem, "The Other Field" has been accepted for publication by The Fourth River.

 

Great news, AW!!

fabulous news for Jessica Easto!

Second-year fiction writer Jessica Easto has great news:

 

I've just been notified that I've won a scholarship (free room, board, tuition) to participate in the Oxford American's first Summit for Ambitious Writers this summer (http://summit.oxfordamerican.org/)!!! David Remnick, Kevin Brockmeier, and Wells Tower (among many delightful others) are on faculty. Couldn't be more excited!

 

Sounds fantastic, Jessica!!!  Many congratulations!

 

Catching Up with Michael Meyerhofer (MFA '06, poetry)

News from one proflic alum:

My third poetry book, "Damnatio Memoriae," should be released by September. You can still pre-order it here: http://www.brickroadpoetrypress.com/preorder/119-order-damnatio.html. My fifth chapbook, "Pure Elysium," is at the printers and should be out soon, as well. Oh, and a lil' side project, a fantasy novel called "Wytchfire," was accepted for publication by an indie press called Triskaideka Books. It's (hopefully) the first of a series, to be released in print and e-book format, probably also around September.

Congrats, MM!!

Congrats to Melissa Scholes Young!

Melissa Scholes Young (MFA '11) writes with poetry publication news:

My poem "Safety" was just accepted for publication by Switched-on Gutenberg.  It'll be out in the fall.

Congrats, MSY!

Congrats to Leslie Adams!

Third-year MFA poet Leslie Adams sends great news from Ireland:

North American Review has accepted "Making Camp" for publication. Nice news to go with the gorgeous weather here. Can't wait to see everyone in a few weeks!

Congrats, Leslie!  We've missed you!

MFA Graduation GALA--May 6, 2011

The Creative Writing Program of Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Department of English

cordially invites you to attend

our MFA Celebration

May 6, 2011

6-7 pm: Reception
7-9 pm: Readings

at the Varsity Center for the Arts, 418 South Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, Illinois

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

Janelle Blasdel
Lane Kareska
Brenna Lemieux
Charlie Lemmink
Richard Pechous
Brooks Rexroat
A,K. Thompson
Melissa Scholes Young
Katie Zapoluch

Please join us in wishing them congratulations and godspeed.

Congrats to John Stanford Owen!

MFA graduate student in poetry John Stanford Owen has late afternoon good news for the blog!

I'm happy to announce "Devil's Drop" will be appearing in Third Coast.

Congrats, JSO!!!

Melissa Scholes Young to Read at Hungry Young Poets Series

from Melissa Scholes Young (MFA '11, fiction--but she writes (and publishes) everything):

I'm reading some poetry about Brazil for the Hungry Young Poets Summer Reading Series June 20th in St. Louis.  

http://www.riverstyx.org/events/index.php

Congrats, MSY!!!

Congrats to Renee Wells (MFA '06, poetry)

on her new job at Michigan Tech! I'll let Renee tell you about it:

I'll be working at Michigan Tech as their new Assistant Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and Coordinator of LGBTQ Outreach. I will also teach LGBT poetry in their diversity minor.

Congrats, Renee!!!

Upcoming Publications for Kerry James Evans (MFA '09)

the news from Kerry James Evans:

Hope all is well in the 'dale. I've had a few poems accepted. Ploughshares accepted "Blackbird," Tampa Review accepted "Buffalo Rock" and Water-Stone accepted "Killing the Snake." 

Congrats, KJE!!  Great publications!!!

Update from Rachel Furey (MFA '09)

Fiction alum Rachel Furey writes with news of a critical nature:

I hope all is well in Carbondale and the semester is rounding itself
out well! This is not a creative publication, but since you wanted to
know, I will pass it along. My essay "Sentence Fragments, Sound, and
Setting in Suttree and The Road" has been accepted for publication in
The Cormac McCarthy Journal. It was exciting for me to see that I
could perform in this arena of writing as well.

Congrats, Rachel! Way to go!

Congrats to Bryan Estes!

news from Bryan Estes, first-year poet:

I just received word from The Minnesota Review that they would like to use one my erasure poems for the cover of their next issue. 

How unusual!  Congrats!

Congrats to Brooks Rexroat

MFA 11 grad Brooks Rexroat (hey, at this point, third-year student hardly applies) has more great news:

I found out this weekend that "Basement Party," a short story inspired in part by the untimely passing of R&B singer Nate Dogg, will appear this June in The Montreal Review. They must like what we're doing: roughly 20 percent of the fiction they've accepted this year has come from current SIUC folks.

Congrats, Brooks!!! You are on a roll!

SIUC's Jon Tribble to be part of Oregon State's first Editorial Festival

Jon Tribble, Crab Orchard Review's managing editor and Series Editor for the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry will be part of Oregon State University's first

Editorial Festival:

Details here:

http://oregonstate.edu/cla/english/visiting-writers-series-2010-2011

Benefit Reading for the Victims of the Southern Tornadoes

SIUC faculty and graduate students will read from the work of Alabama
authors on Thursday, May 5th from 4 PM to 6PM
in the Harry T. Moore Auditorium, Faner Hall.

Featured reader will be Alabama native and SIUC's own Rodney Jones.

Donations welcome.

Farewell to Jacinda Townsend

MFA Carbondale wishes a fond farewell to Jacinda Townsend, who is leaving the creative writing faculty at SIUC for a position on the creative writing faculty at Indiana University. Carbondale's loss is Bloomington's gain! We will long remember your talent, your laughter, your beauty and your smarts! Best of luck, Jacinda!!

Fantastic News from Fiction Alum Jared (JY) Sexton

via Facebook, Jared (JY) Sexton (MFA '08) made this wonderful announcement:

The good people at Atticus Books have optioned my book of stories, An End to All Things. Really excited about this and am thankful for all of the people who've been supportive and kind over the last few years.

Congrats, Jared!!  Fine work!

http://atticusbooksonline.com/

News from fiction alums Jim Gill and Alex Lumans

from Jim Gill (MFA '99)

My story "The Poacher" is in the current issue of Night Train.  

http://www.nighttrainmagazine.com/contents/gill_11_1.php

from Alex Lumans (MFA '09):

he Journal accepted a story of mine called "The America Indian is Dead" for its next issue.

And I have two new poems now online: "With Teeth" at Strange Horizons and "The North Pacific Land-Bridge that Reappears Every Seventeen Years" at The Pedestal.

http://www.thepedestalmagazine.com/

http://www.strangehorizons.com/2011/20110321/lumans-p.shtml

Congrats, guys!  Thanks for the links!

John Owen and Nick Ostdick to read in Rivertown Reading Series

SIUC's own John Owen and Nick Ostdick will read on May 7 at the
Yeiser Arts Center as part of the Rivertown Reading Series.
Congrats, John and Nick, on being selected to read in the Series!

Yeiser Arts Center website:
http://www.theyeiser.org/events.html

More good publication news for Tim Marsh (MFA '06 fiction)

Fiction alum Tim Marsh is on a roll:

This morning within ten minutes of each other (which has never happened), I received good news from two more magazines. Knee-Jerk will run my story "Relegation, North Sumatra" in an upcoming issue, and Mason's Road will publish my piece "Skydiver". Pretty cool.

Congrats, Tim!  Keep the good news coming!

 

Congrats to Lane Kareska!

Third-year fiction MFA student Lane Kareska has happy news to start the week:

I just received the very pleasant news that my short story "Cursed" will be included in issue 32 of Berkeley Fiction Review. It's a dark one, featuring James Dean's haunted car, an ex-con and garden shears. 

Congrats, Lane!

Paul Guest to teach at the University of Virginia

With great pride, MFA Carbondale blog announces the appointment of
Paul Guest (MFA '99) to the creative writing faculty at the
University of Virginia!
Congratulations, Paul!!!!

Travis Mossotti (MFA '10) update

South Dakota Review took "Smokestacks," & Water~Stone Review took a longer poem "If we are humans then let us be fools."  (Kerry James also got a long poem in Water~Stone so I'll be in good company).

Catching Up with Tim Marsh (MFA '06)

Latest note from Tim Marsh (MFA '06, fiction):

I'm in Okinawa right now, surfing, exploring, the usual.

Small news for the blog: My piece "Courage" was accepted by Foliate Oak, and my essay "Banjar Dalung" was taken by The Kartika Review, to appear this May.


Congrats, world traveler!

2011 Academy of American Poets Prize Winners: Graduate Division

Poet Jake Adam York chose Leslie Adams' "Meditation with Lines from Wallace Stevens" as winner of this year's Academy of American Poets Prize for SIUC graduate students. He also singled out for honorable mention Jung Hae Chae's "Language Acquisition" and Andrea Wagner's "Arkansassy."  

Congratulations to all.

Storyspotting: Chad Simpson

Fiction alum Chad Simpson (MFA '05) announces the publication of a new story:

My story "Adaptations" was published yesterday at Necessary Fiction. 

You can check it out here: http://necessaryfiction.com/stories/ChadSimpsonAdaptations

Congrats, Chad!!!

Congrats to Brooks Rexroat!

Third-year MFA Brooks Rexroat has more good news!  Congrats, Brooks!

A second batch of good news in one week: Subtle Fiction, an online magazine out of New Zealand, has taken my story "Theft Against Such Beauty." Not only did they accept it--they posted it right away.

subtlefiction.wordpress.com

Undergraduate Poetry Prize @ SIUC: Deadline 4/14/11

Undergraduate Student Poetry Prize
Cash Award and One Year Membership to the Academy of American Poets

To Enter

Submit: Up to 3 poems
Deadline: Thursday April 14th at 4pm

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

Entry packet should include:

1) A cover sheet with your name, address (including date address is
good until), phone number, e-mail address and poem titles, plus an
address that is good after May 15, 2011.

2) Poems on individual, separate pages. Include title(s) on poems,
but no names, please.

Mossotti Update: Upcoming Publications

Travis Mossotti (MFA '10) has news of upccoming publications:

Saint Ann's Review took "Outside Pinckneyville" and "Wheat Field with Crows." Nimrod took "The Story of a Plant." Also, all April long I'm writing articles for basalt's website, a literary journal out of Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon. Stop by and check them out.

Congrats, TM!  Great to see you at Little Grassy!

Congrats to Brenna Lemieux!!

Third-year poet Brenna Lemieux has great news to share:

Hi, Allison --

I've just heard that Greensboro Review will be publishing my poem "Grief as a Half-Swallowed Kite." What swell news for a swell spring day, huh?

Thanks!

Brenna

Congrats, Brenna!!  Way to work it!

Congrats to Brooks Rexroat!

Third-year fiction student Brooks Rexroat has great news:

Alt Hist Magazine has accepted my story, "To the Stars." My first fiction publication, and it's a paying gig.

Congrats, Brooks!!!

news from Kerry James Evans (MFA '09, poetry)

Kerry James Evans (MFA '09, poetry) sends fine news from Tallahassee:

New Letters nominated my poems from their issue for a Pushcart. 

Narrative Magazine accepted six poems for publication. 

I am the recipient of a Kingsbury Fellowship at Florida State, which allows me to only teach one class in the fall and spring semesters, and includes a $9000 award. 

Congrats, KJE!!!

Storyspotting: Chad Simpson edition

Fiction alum  (MFA '05) Chad Simpson has new stories just published!

"my pretend heart" appears in Issue Three of Twelve Stories (ahttp://www.readtwelvestories.com/my-pretend-heart/) and "smoke" appears in the Spring 2011 issue of Moon Milk Review (http://www.moonmilkreview.com/2011/spring-2011-fiction-smoke-by-chad-simpson/).

Mark Brewin keeps racking acceptances up!

Third-year poet Mark Brewin writes with news of another accepted poem:

Guess I must have done something right: West Branch has accepted another poem for publication, ¨Marriage.¨ They like me, they must really like me.

Congrats to you, MB!

MFA Graduate Paul Guest Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship!!

Hearty congratulations to Paul Guest (MFA '99) on being awarded a
2011 Guggenheim Fellowship!

Details here:
http://www.gf.org/fellows/current?page=2

Reminder: Little Grassy Literary Festival starts today!!!

The Little Grassy Literary Festival starts today with a reading from
Traci Brimhall and Jake Adam York!

Details here:

http://news.siuc.edu/news/March11/032311amh11064.html

Publication News from Andy McFadyen-Ketchum (MFA '09, poetry)

MFA grad Andy McFadyen-Ketchum sends along good news:

Cimarron Review just took "First Catch," the first of the father-story poems to be taken...finally!  And The Writers Chronicle will soon be publishing my interview with Andrew Hudgins.

Congrats, AMK!!!

Allison Joseph to read at Converse College, South Carolina

SIUC poet Allison Joseph travels this week to Converse College in South Carolina for a reading from her work:

Converse College guest writers

Jon Tribble quoted in Huff Post article on "best books about writing"

Crab Orchard Review's managing editor and SIUC poet Jon Tribble is quoted in this Huffington Post article:

Huff Post Books

Upcoming Writers on the Road Events!!!

SIUC MFA writers are busy hosting writers and traveling to other places to read!!!

1) Writers on the Road: SIUC @ Vanderbilt ( http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201148746576424 )

Nine writers will be traveling to Nashville this Friday for a lighting round literary reading at Mad Donnas Restaurant/Bar. 

2) Writers on the Road: Ohio State @ SIUC ( http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160517564007059 )

April 23rd, Harry T. Moore Auditorium from 5 - 6:30pm

Storyspotting: Chad Simpson (MFA '05, fiction)

A story just in time for the start of baseball season by MFA grad
Chad Simpson:

http://www.bullmensfiction.com/Story1.html

Storyspotting: Gillian King-Cargile (MFA '05, fiction)

from Gillian's Facebook page:

Hey, everybody! My short short is a finalist in the Inlander 101 word
fiction contest. It's published here:
http://www.inlander.com/spokane/article-16378-101-word-fiction.html

Congrats, Gillian, on the publication of this story!!!

More Brewin news!!

Third-year poet Mark Brewin is on a roll!  He sends more good news along from Ireland:

" I am pleased to announce that my poem "On Thunderstorms" was a finalist in the 2011 Third Coast Poetry Prize,  judged by Natasha Trethewey."

Congrats, MB!!

Mark Brewin Report!

Third-year poet Mark Brewin's poem "The Root Whiskers" appears in the new edition of the Greensboro Review (Number 89, Spring 2011).  

He sends this news from abroad as well:

I am pleased to announce that my poem "Blackrock Diving Tower" was accepted for publication in Visions, a magazine interested in the environment and sustainable development, centered out of my undergraduate Alma mater, Elon University.

http://www.elon.edu/e-web/bft/sustainability/ac-visionsMag.xhtml

Congrats, MB!

Mark Brewin poems accepted for publication

Third-year poet Mark Brewin keeps racking up the acceptances: 

I am pleased to say that my poems "The Same Idea" and "Drinking Stories" were accepted for publication in West Branch.

Congrats, Mark!  

Poet Demetrice Worley to read at SIUC for Women's History Month

Poet Demetrice A. Worley will read from her new poetry collection, Tongues in My Mouth, tomorrow on the SIUC campus at 4 pm in the SIUC Student Center's Kaskaskia Room.

More about Tongues in My Mouth:
Tongues in My Mouth


More about Demetrice Worley:

Demetrice Anntía Worley holds a D.A. (Doctorate of Arts) in English from Illinois State University and an M.A. in English from University of Illinois, Urbana. Currently, is an associate professor of English at Bradley University where she teaches creative writing, exposition, technical writing, business communication, African American literature, and writing theory courses to first year through graduate-level students.

Her debut poetry collection is Tongues in My Mouth (Main Street Rag March 2011). In addition, she is the co-editor of Language and Image in the Reading-Writing Classroom (LEA 2002) and African American Literature 2nd edition (McGraw-Hill 1998); and co-compiler of Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle and Other Modern Verse, 2nd edition (ScottsForesman 1995). Her
Poetry appears in anthologies such as Women. Period. (Spinster Ink 2008), Risk, Courage and Women (North Texas U P 2007) an American Library Association 2008 Top 25 Anthology, and in 44 on 44 (forthcoming March 29, 2011). Her poetry has appeared literary journals such as Reverie, Permafrost, Clackamas Literary Review, and Spoon River Poetry Review.

NO Location Change for Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest Ceremony

Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest Ceremony today at SIUC Student Center @ 4pm. Location changed to Kaskaskia Room. Judge Sara Burge will read from her work, as will the award-winning poets!

Another NEWS FLASH: The Roxana Ceremony is still in the Mississippi Room. Tomorrow's poetry reading with Demetrice Worley, poet and professor of African American Studies from Bradley University, has been moved to the Kaskaskia Room. Sorry for any confusion! Sara and the award winners will be reading in the Mississippi Room this afternoon (3/24) at 4pm.

Little Grassy Literary Festival coming

The Graduate Writers Forum of the SIUC MFA Program in Creative
Writing presents
the Little Grassy Literary Festival April 7&8!

Details here:
http://news.siuc.edu/news/March11/032311amh11064.html

Another dose of Other People's Letters!

MFA '09 fiction graduate Abby Wheetley has news of a production of Other People's Letters: 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Abigail Wheetley
Special Collections Research Center
Morris Library
Southern Illinois University
605 Agriculture Drive
Mailcode 6632
Carbondale, IL 62901

Phone: (618) 453-2516
Fax: (618) 453-3440 (for all staff)

http://www.lib.siu.edu/footer-portlets/collections/special-collections-research-center

 

Other People's Letters to Profile Local Family

Carbondale, Illinois, March 26, 20100

This year, Special Collections Research Center at Morris Library, is proud to present Other People's Letters: The Teeter Family Papers, an evening of family revelation, marriage, children, daily life, and unfortunate loss and struggle seen through the letters of this Carbondale family. Saturday, April 9^th 4:00-6:30 in the Guyon Auditorium in Morris Library. Free and open to the public.

Horace Hollister Teeter arrived in Southern Illinois in 1865 where he married Nancy Belle and had six children while establishing himself as an entrepreneur and businessman in Carbondale. His accomplishments include the development and marketing of an innovative coffee percolator, production of baking powder, and a production and sale of his own brand of furniture polish. Around 1900 he founded the Excelsior Paint Company which he managed until his death in 1924.

Horace and Nancy Teeter had six children, all raised in Carbondale. This reading will showcase correspondence between siblings Kate, Robert and Lillian Teeter, as well as their nephew Louis Teeter and his wife and son. Members of the staff and the community will take on the roles of the Teeters and will read their way through this collection adding voice to this family's history.

The Teeters provide an authentic view of family life in Carbondale and southern Illinois from the end of the 19th century to Lillian's death in 1977. The April 9^th reading will illustrate this family history as well as bringing insight into the love, intimacy, and humor expressed in this now almost forgotten art of letter writing

Melissa Scholes Young Interviews Danielle Evans at FWR

Third-year fiction writer Melissa Scholes Young invites you to read her interview with Danielle Evans, who graced us with a reading at

last year's Devil Kitchen Literary Festival: 

I have an interview with Danielle Evans up at Fiction Writers Review.  

http://fictionwritersreview.com/interviews/secrets-and-revelations-an-interview-with-danielle-evans

2011 Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest Results

Announcing the Winners of the 2011 Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest

Sponsored by the Creative Writing Program and the Women's Studies Program

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

 

 

Judge Sara Burge, SIUC MFA alumna, poet and instructor at Missouri State University, has chosen to honor the following poets and their poems:

 

Undergraduate Winners:

First place: Jonathan Veach for "A Death in Baton Rouge"

Second place: Jeffrey Haynes for "Holy Scripture"

Third place:  Rheanna Pulley for "Abraham visits Moriah"

 

Graduate Winners:

First place:  Ruth Awad for "Kata Doksa"

Second place: Jonathan Travelstead for "Mitch's Motorcycle Salvage and Rebuild"

Third place:  Mark Jay Brewin, Jr. for "Mother('s)"

Honorable Mention: Jonathan Travelstead for  "From a Café in Paris"

 

 

Please join us on Thursday, March 24 2011 at 4 pm in the SIUC Student Center Mississippi Roomfor an awards ceremony featuring a reading from our judge, Sara Burge, author of Apocalypse Ranch (C&R Press). The winners will also read their award-winning poems.  There will be a booksigning and reception in the after the ceremony.

Congrats to Melissa Scholes Young!

Third-year MFA fiction writer Melissa Scholes Young keeps racking up the poetry acceptances!  Congrats, Melissa!

Cold Mountain Review just asked if they could publish by poem "Piranha Fishing."  It's got fancy dropped lines.  I said yes.

http://www.coldmountain.appstate.edu/

-Melissa

SIUC MFA Program ranks #25 in nation in poetry

SIUC's poetry program has been ranked number #25 in the nation!  Details here:

http://sethabramson.blogspot.com/2011/02/2012-mfa-rankings-poetry.html

Congrats to Mark Brewin!

News from third-year poetry MFA Mark Brewin:

I am pleased to announce that Prairie Schooner has accepted for publication my poems "Hounds" and "Working First Shift at the Progresso Soups Factory." 

Congrats, MB!!!

Jon Tribble reads for Linebreak today

Jon Tribble, Crab Orchard Review's managing editor (and so much
more), reads a poem (not his) for today's edition of
Linebreak:

Here's the link:

http://linebreak.org/poems/vanitas/

In-House Reading: Thursday, March 10, 2011

SIUC MFA Program in Creative Writing IN-HOUSE Reading Series

	Thursday, March 10 · 4:30pm - 7:30pm
	Harry T. Moore Auditorium

The Graduate Writers Forum presents the third In-House Reading of the semester.

Featuring:

Jessica Easto

Max Schleicher

Andrea Wagner

Jonathan Travelstead

Put your books down Thursday evening, and enjoy a reading by SIU's finest. Be sure to tell your classes about this, and maybe offer some extra credit. We appreciate your support!

Kudos to Tim Marsh on forthcoming publications

A note from Timothy L. Marsh (MFA '06, fiction):

This spring/summer Weave Magazine will publish my story "A Study in LA Handicraft," Reed Magazine will publish my story "A Long Time Ago When Barnes & Noble Sold Porn", and Pear Noir will publish my CNF piece "Execution of Saddam Hussein, Worcester."

Congrats, Tim!

Congrats to Alberta Skaggs!

Alberta Skaggs, current SIUC lecturer in fiction, Grassroots advisor
and MFA fiction grad has this news:

Dr. stephen dollinger (the director of the psychology department here
at siuc) and I have co-authored an article that has been accepted for
publication this fall in
the journal called Imagination, Cognition and Personality.

The article's name: Does the ACT Predict "Inside the Box" Thinking
or Creativity?: Creative Characters in the Personality Imagination
Exercise.

Congrats, Alberta!! Very intriguing!!!

new poems by SIUC-connected writers in Concelebratory Shoehorn Review

New poems by MFA poetry alum Adrian Matejka and by SIUC's own Jon Tribble appear in the new issue of Concelebratory Shoehorn Review:

Adrian's poems

Jon's poems

Crab Orchard Review to receive IAC Grant!

Kudos to Crab Orchard Review! The SIUC literary journal has been
awarded a 2011 grant of $5000 from the Illinois Arts Council!!!

Details here:
http://www.arts.illinois.gov/news/iac-announces-first-round-fy2011-
grants

Re: annual Women's History Month Poetry Contest: Please announce to classes

ANNOUNCING THE 2011 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:

$50 for first place $30 for second place $20 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: "Her Present, Her Future, Her Past"

DEADLINE: Monday, March 21, 2011 at 4pm

Submission Guidelines: Submit an entry packet with:

1) A cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and poem title(s). 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. If sending entries via e-mail, please send in rtf file format only—send all poems in one file.

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.

Entries can also by e-mailed to 

roxpoetrycontest(at)gmail.com 

(replace (at) with @ in sending e-mail).

Winners will be honored at a special awards ceremony to be held March 24, 2011.

Guidelines: Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest @ SIUC

ANNOUNCING THE 2011 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:

$50 for first place $30 for second place $20 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: “Her Present, Her Future, Her Past”

DEADLINE: Monday, March 21, 2011 at 4pm

Submission Guidelines: Submit an entry packet with:

1) A cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and poem title(s). 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. If sending entries via e-mail, please send in rtf file format only—send all poems in one file.

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.
Entries can also by e-mailed to
roxpoetrycontest(at)gmail.com
(replace (at) with @ in sending e-mail).

Winners will be honored at a special awards ceremony to be held March 24, 2011.

More Kudos for Pinckney Benedict and MIRACLE BOY!!!

This just in from SIUC fiction professor Pinckney Benedict:

My story "The Angel's Trumpet" has just won Appalachian Heritage's 2010 Denny C. Plattner Award for Outstanding Fiction. This is my second Plattner: my first was for the story "Joe Messinger is Dreaming" in 2007. Both stories are included in my new collection, Miracle Boy and Other Stories.

Congrats, PB!!!

http://community.berea.edu/appalachianheritage/default.html

Now It Can Be Told, Part Two: Michael Meyerhofer Wins Brick Road Poetry Press Book Contest!!

Hearty congratulations to SIUC MFA poetry alum Michael Meyerhofer for winning the 2010 Brick Road Poetry Press Book Contest for his third full-length collection of poems!!!

Details here:
Michael Meyerhofer wins Brick Road

Congrats, MM!!!

Now It Can Be Told: Travis Mossotti (MFA '10) wins May Swenson Poetry Prize!!!

Exciting news for Travis Mossotti (MFA '10, poetry)!! He is the 2011 winner of the May Swenson Poetry Prize! His poetry collection, About the Dead, will be published this year by Utah State University Press!!!

Details here:

Travis wins May Swenson

Congrats, TM!!!!

Congrats to Melissa Scholes Young!

Third-year fiction student Melissa Scholes Young has some crossover action to report!  Congrats, MSY!

"I got me a poem accepted in the Tampa Review.  My poem's called "Escape from Brazil." 

http://www.ut.edu/tampareview/trmain.aspx

Writers on the Road: Vanderbilt Edition

The Graduate Writers Forum of SIUC presents

Vanderbilt @ SIUC: Writers on the Road Series

featuring Vanderbilt MFA students reading from their work:

Amanda Abel
Chad Abushanab
Melissa Cundieff-Pexa
Jill Schepmann


Saturday, February 26th at 5 pm
Harry T. Moore Auditorium
Faner first floor, Door 7 into building

Poemspotting: Kerry James Evans

"Atomic Bible," a new poem by Kerry James Evans (MFA '09) appears in
the new issue of The Pinch, the national
literary journal from the University of Memphis:

Storyspotting: Alex Lumans

Fiction alum Alex Lumans (MFA '09) has new work here:

http://www.primenumbermagazine.com/Issue5_PrimeDecimals3.html

Allison Joseph to be featured at Valdosta State University

SIUC faculty poet will be a visiting writer at Valdosta State
University this week:

http://www.valdosta.edu/news/releases/joseph.021611

Congrats to Bryan Estes

Happy news for first-year poetry student Bryan Estes:

I just received word that PANK will be publishing my poem, "Getting the Drift," in their next issue.

http://www.pankmagazine.com/

Congrats, BE!!

news and notes about SIUC writing alums and faculty

MFA alum (MFA '05, fiction) Gillian King's piece "Fresno" appears in the new issue of River Styx (Number 84).

MFA alum Chris Allen (MFA '07, fiction) has a new poem published in H.O.D:

http://hofd.wordpress.com/

Faculty member Pinckney Benedict:

My new collection, MIRACLE BOY AND OTHER STORIES, is now available in the UK, from the wonderful folks at Salt Publishing. Audio version (read by me) forthcoming.

Jon Tribble: Publications and Appearances

Jon Tribble, Crab Orchard Review's managing editor and the soul of the MFA Program, has these news items to share:

Here are the four solid current or upcoming things (I'll save two others for when they feel real):

--My poem "Grease Trap" has been published in Two Weeks: A Digital Anthology of Contemporary Poetry, edited and produced by Ash Bowen and Johnathon Williams. Here is the link for those interested in this project:

http://linebreak.org/two-weeks/

--My poem "Lupus" was published online by Caper Literary Journal. Here is the link (you can actually comment on the poem):

http://caperlitjournal.weebly.com/5/post/2011/02/-jon-tribble-poetry.html

--Friday, February 11, A Panel Discussion with Publishers. University of Missouri--St. Louis, room 200 in Lucas Hall. One University Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63121. 6 PM. The UMSL MFA Program presents a panel of publishers from independent presses that specialize in books of literary fiction and poetry. Alex Schwartz from Switch Grass, Ben Furnish from BkMk, and Jon Tribble from Crab Orchard will discuss and answer questions about what they look for in manuscripts, how to submit, what to expect, and more. Free and open to the public. Call 516-6845 for more information. 

--Thursday, May 5, 2011, I will join Mary Elizabeth Braun, Acquiring Editor at Oregon State University Press (moderator); Kathryn Lang, Senior Editor at SMU Press; and Brian Doyle, Editor of Portland Magazine for an Editor's Panel at Oregon State University in Corvallis. I'll send more details as soon as I have them.

Check out new stories by SIUC MFA alums!

Here are links to newly-published stories by SIUC fiction MFA alums Jim Gill and Jared (JY) Sexton:

Jim Gill
Jim's story

Jared (JY) Sexton
Jared's story


Jim adds:
let others know that The Common is actively seeking submissions for their 2nd issue as well as the dispatches section.

Thanks for the tip, Jim!

Congrats to third-year poet Brenna Lemieux!!!

Great news on this cold day from third-year poetry MFA Brenna Lemieux!

I just found out that my poem "Two Purple Sponges" has been accepted by the Threepenny Review. Thought you might like some warm news to spice up this cold, snowy evening.

Congrats, BL!!  Great place to publish!

Congrats to Desiree Dighton: MFA '07 fiction

via Facebook:

"In the Cemetery Where Jim Morrison is Buried" will be published in the next issue of the fabulous new journal, Prime Mincer."

Congrats, DD!

Upcoming BHM Month Event: SIUC Writers

You are cordially invited to

"A Block of Writers: Conversation on Creative Writing"

Wednesday, Feb. 9         

SIUC Student Center Auditorium          

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Conversation on why words matter, and the power of writing featuring:   

Allison Joseph, Jacinda T. Gides, Frank Chipasula, Joseph Brown.

New Pubs from Alums: Hamm and Mossotti

from Justin Hamm (MFA, fiction, '05):

Just wanted to pass along that my chapbook Illinois, My Apologies is now available from RockSaw Press.

from Travis Mossotti (MFA, poetry '10):

"Where We Are Going" and "Juniper Berry" were accepted at Italian Americana.

Congrats, guys!!

Publication Alert: Shawn Mitchell

My story "Imitation Feast" will be in the first issue of Prime Mincer:

The first issue comes out March 15th, and they're considering submissions until February 15th. They move fast.
Prime Mincer

More Forthcoming Publications!!

We're on a roll this morning!  Here's a note from Pete Lucas, first-year student in fiction:

My story "Running" has been picked up for publication in the February issue of The Montreal Review, which is nice because I've always had an affinity for French Canadians.

Congrats, PL!

Publication Updates from Current Students and Grads

from first-year student in poetry Bryan Estes:

I'm happy to report that my poem, "Oh," has made the cut for the first edition of Prime Mincer.

from Amie Whittemore (MFA '10, poetry):

I wanted to let you know that "Inevitable Attraction" and "Saplings" have been accepted for publication by Copper Nickel.

 

Travis Mossotti: Upcoming Publications!

Congrats to Travis Mossotti (MFA '10, poetry), who sends news of the following upcoming publications:

"I had the courage…" is forthcoming at Poet Lore; "Surgery" is forthcoming at Moon City Review; "Regionalism, Spiritualism, Confessionalism" is forthcoming at Quiddity. 

Great to hear from you, TM!

Publication Alert: Lane Kareska

Third-year fiction writer Lane Kareska writes with this happy news:

I just wanted to pass along that my short story "The Dragoon" was
recently published by Pill Hill Press in their new book Powers: A
Superhero Anthology. I just received my copy and it's a colorful,
energetic collection. Happy to be in it.

Congrats, Lane!! Sounds like a great fun read!!

Brenna Lemieux: Forthcoming Poem!

Great news this Tuesday afternoon from third-year poet Brenna Lemieux:

I'm writing with the glad tidings that my poem "On Bridge Street" has been accepted at Lumina Magazine. 

Thanks for keeping us all up to date on the lives & times of the MFA folks!

Congrats, Brenna!  It's a gift to be able to follow SIUC talent!

Pinckney Benedict Update!

from PB himself:

Although MIRACLE BOY AND OTHER STORIES (Press 53, 2010) was not a finalist for The Story Prize, it has been selected for the long list of "other notable 2010 short story collections, along with books by Nadine Gordimer, Joyce Carol Oates, Ron Rash, Brad Watson, and other folks whom I admire.

Story Prize Long List

Congrats, PB!!

More Publication Love for SIUC writers

Here's more news of current or upcoming publications by SIUC MFAs--both current students and grads:

Nick Ostdick (current second-year in fiction):
Anthills, a small press publication out of Milwaukee, has accepted a short-short of mine entitled 'How to Set A Car on Fire' for their Spring 2011 issue, due out in April.

Abby Wheetley (MFA, fiction, 2009):
"Regarding the Mothers" was accepted for publication in CaKe.

Kerry James Evans (MFA, poetry, 2009):
"Night Fishing" was accepted for publication in Prairie Schooner.

Matthew Guenette (MFA, poetry, 1999):
I have two new poems in the latest Barn Owl Review. I'm also the featured poet in the latest Anti-:
Matt Guenette

Congrats to the hardest-working writers I know!! SIUC MFAs rule!!!

New Year's Kudos to---

Jared Y. Sexton (MFA, fiction, '08):
Wanted to pass along word that my collection Just Listen was named a finalist for the 2010 New American Fiction Award, judged by Lee K. Abbott. And, a couple of hours later, my story It is Wide and It is Deep was accepted by Abby Wheetley and Peter Lucas over at Prime Mincer.

John Owen (second-year, poetry):
Some good news to start off the new year. DMQ Review has picked up "Field Song" for their next issue.

Melissa Scholes Young (third-year, fiction):
My poem "Coconut Water," which I wrote in workshop with Judy, will be published in Tapestry. Spring 2011, I believe.


Congrats to all! Nice way to start the year!!!

Congrats to Andy McFadyen-Ketchum!

Catching up with poetry alum Andy McFadyen-Ketchum (MFA '09):

Looks like Southern Indiana Review is taking "Suicide Watch" and Greensboro Review is taking my review of Joshua Poteat's second collection: Illustrating the Machine that Makes the World. Also, check out my website I just launched at www.AndrewMK.com

Congrats, Andy!!

News from SIUC MFA alums!!

Congrats to these poetry alums on their recent acceptances! Keep the good news coming!


Travis Mossotti (MFA '10):

“Place of Rest” is forthcoming at Vallum; “Float Trip” and “News of Surgery” are forthcoming at Cutthroat; “Peregrination” and “Open Mic” are forthcoming at Exit 7; and, “As Broken in the End” is forthcoming at Bellevue Literary Review.


Kerry James Evans (MFA '09):

Moon City Review took "The Patient Curse" and the Pinch took "Waiting for Fire."

Pinckney Benedict Update!

More kudos for Pinckney Benedict's fiction collection, Miracle Boy and Other Stories!

Nobbie Awards

MIRACLE BOY has been selected for one of the 2010 Nobbie Awards for the Best Books of the Year over at The Nervous Breakdown.

"Absolutely phenomenal short story collection—kind of a Stephen King meets Flannery O'Connor experience. The title tale— a young boy's feet are accidentally chopped off by his father in a farming accident, and he and his friends must cope—may just be the best short story ever written. Other stories feature kids trying to spy dead people in a wrecked car, stories of hauntings, bodily possession, and the approaching end of the world--all set in back-roads communities, and all told with tremendous literary skill. (Press 53)"

Storyspotting: Shawn Mitchell and Sarah McCartt-Jackson

Now available: NANO #4, featuring work by second-year fiction writer Shawn Mitchell and third-year poet Sarah McCartt-Jackson:

NANO fiction

Good News Galore from Current Students and Grads

John Stanford Owen, second-year poet, has had his poem "In 1991" accepted for publication in the Yalobusha Review.

Leslie Adams, second-year poet, has won the Yellowwood Prize!! (Sponsored by the Yalobusha Review!)

Amy Blache Graziano, MFA '07 (poetry), has had her prose poem "The Dog" accepted for publication in Quick Fiction.

Alex Lumans (MFA '09 fiction) has a boatload of good news:

I just found out that John Brandon picked my story "No Wants, No Returns" for the 2011 Barry Hannah Fiction Prize that's put on by the Yalobusha Review. It'll come out in their next issue in February.

I also won third place in the Sycamore Review's 2010 Wabash Poetry Prize. January, Winter/Spring issue. Don't ask me how.

And a story of mine, "The Crow That is Still Eating Chicago" (which is secretly dedicated to Flaherty and his Bears), was accepted for publication by Prime Number.

LINKS:
Yalobusha Review
Quick Fiction
Sycamore Review
Prime Number

Poemspotting: Brenna Lemieux

Third-year poet Brenna Lemieux's poem "Dysphasia" appears in the Fall 2010 issue of the North American Review! Congrats Brenna!

Congrats to Abby Wheetley (MFA '09, fiction)

Abby Wheetley's story "Dagwood" has been accepted for publication in the debut issue of Fridge!!

Congrats, Abby!!

Breaking News: Meyerhofer Wins Chapbook Contest!

Stolen directly from Michael Meyerhofer's (MFA '06) Facebook page:

Good news: my latest chapbook, "Pure Elysium," won the Palettes and Quills Chapbook Contest!

Congrats, MM!!!

LINK:
Palettes and Quills

NB: Justin Hamm (MFA '05, fiction) was a finalist!

Poemspotting: Sarah McCartt-Jackson

Dual-degree wonder Sarah McCartt-Jackson is the featured poet at Tidal Basin Review.
Go to
Sarah at Tidal Basin Review
to view her feature!