Welcome to 2022!
The MFA in Creative Writing program is about to admit its next class. The MFA application deadline is February 1, so if you know any writers interested in pursuing an MFA, send them our way. We're happy to answer questions and excited to see an array of applicants.
We heard great news from the Western Association of Graduate Schools. Tryphena Yeboah has won the WAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Master's Thesis Award for creative work. It's the second time in three years one of our MFA students has won this award. Tryphena is now working on her PhD at University of Nebraska. Follow Tryphena on Twitter @tryphena_yeboah.
The previous WAGS/ProQuest winner is Liz Harmer, who is now teaching at Chapman University. In exciting news, Liz's second novel, Strange Loops, will be out in July 2022. Follow Liz on Twitter @lizharmer.
MFA program assistants Makena Metz and Ximena Delgado are sharing MFA news and opportunities on Twitter and Instagram. Follow @ChapmanCWMFA.
If you've had a recent publication, landed a new job or a volunteer spot with a literary organization, or won an award or a grant, we want to celebrate. No matter how your writing life is panning out, we're cheering you on!
—Dr. Anna Leahy, Director of MFA in Creative Writing
Alumni Achievements
Meghan Kemp-Gee
(Dual MA/MFA '19)
Meghan Kemp-Gee's review of "Best Canadian Stories 2021" was published on Fiddlehead. Kemp-Gee's poem "Your Wildest Dream" was published in Sledgehammer Lit, and another poem "A Reminder" in DUSIE.
Jason Thornberry
(MFA '21)
Jason Thornberry's essay Nesting Season was published by Thimble Literary Magazine.
Tryphena Yeboah
(MFA '21)
Tryphena Yeboah has been selected as the 2021-2022 Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS) and ProQuest WAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Master's Thesis Award in the Creative, Visual, and Performing Arts winner for her work, First Light.
In addition, Tryphena Yeboah was a finalist for Narrative Magazine's Fall Story Contest.
Student Achievements
Jay Dye (MFA)
Jay Dye is taking part in an art show entitled "ρØωᵉŘ Ｆⓐ𝓃Ｔ𝐀ｓч" at Tarleton State University’s Clyde H Wells Gallery in Texas. The work in this show exists at the intersection of escapism and agency, where taking control over one's own narrative is vital. In this exhibition, four trans artists explore these otherworlds through painting, drawing, textile, and digital art. The exhibit runs January 17-February 6, 2022.
Makena Metz
(Dual MA/MFA)
Makena Metz's short story "The Game" and pilot Theo's Grand Adventure were published in Chapman's Ouroborus Magazine.
Writer's Life Learning Opportunities
The Authors Guild has an article on "Avoiding Publishing Scams" and "Money Matters: The Road to Financial Literacy."
Creative Capital has an article about "Twitter Best Practices for Artists."
Internship Opportunities
Anaphora Arts, a non-profit organization that advocates for writers and artists of color, is accepting applications for their internship programs. All internships are paid, and the bulk of the work will be done leading up to and during actual programming. A commitment of at least one semester minimum is required. Duties include administration work in the literary and publishing field, being involved in research and data collection, assisting with their climate survey, and providing additional support throughout their programs.
Submission Opportunities
Stadler Center for Poetry and Literary Arts is seeking applications for the Philip Roth Residence in Creative Writing. Deadline to apply is January 31st.
The Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation is hosting their annual Hurston/Wright Awards for College Writers, the only award of its kind that recognizes Black undergraduate and graduate writers.
In addition, The Hurston/Wright Crossover Award, which aims to highlight an unconventional writer who writes across genres, is now accepting submissions.
Submissions to both opportunities close January 31.
The Stockholm Writers Festival First 5 Pages Prize is accepting submissions of unpublished books. The prize is for the first 5 pages of an unpublished book. First prize winner will receive full developmental edit of their book, $1000, a meeting with an agent to pitch their book, a ticket to the Stockholm Writers Festival in 2022, as well as their hotel stay during the festival at a boutique hotel in the heart of Stockholm. Deadline: January 31.
Washington Square Review is accepting submissions of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and translations. Deadline: February 1st.
The William and Mary Review is accepting submissions of art, poetry, and prose. Deadline: February 1st.
The Joel Gay Creative Fellowships for writing newsletter issues are open to three emerging writers. Applications due February 10th.
Sequestrum is seeking magical realism fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for their 2022 issue. Deadline: February 15th.
The Sierra Nevada Review is seeking young adult literature featuring poetry, short fiction, and literary nonfiction. Deadline: February 15th.
Hare's Paw Literary Journal is seeking poetry, music, flash fiction, and nonfiction for their next issue. Deadline: February 22nd.
Lit Mag News is hiring writers for articles from working writers and editors.
Poets & Writers has an extensive list of literary journals with website links and reading periods included, and you can filter by genre. There is also a good list of contests that rolls according to impending deadlines and a list of book review outlets.
Sweet publishes emerging and established writers for poetry and creative nonfiction. Rolling submissions.
The Sancho Panza Literary Society is back with their summer residency at Trinity College Dublin. The program is open to published and unpublished writers who write fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. For more information about fees and accommodations, email Director Professor Joseph Reynolds (ajoreynolds@fordham.edu).
