Each spring, SNHU’s online literary salon, Word for Word, honors recent graduates of the Online BA, MA, and MFA creative writing programs in a special Graduate Spotlight event. Recommended by instructors and selected by Associate Deans Jacob Powers and Paul Witcover for their high literary achievement, these outstanding writers read from and discuss their work, representing all the graduates of their respective programs. This year’s event featured five readers: Samantha Barrow (MFA), Ethan Bowers (BA), Trenton Guthrie (MA), Samantha Hensley (MA), and Brandi Shaffer (MFA.)

Join Wireside Chat as we welcome Online MFA instructor Nathanael Green! Nate's short stories, essays and articles have appeared in dozens of publications, including most recently Broad River Review and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. He’s the co-author of three novels (Language of the Bear, Through the Narrows, and Out of the Fire) and is currently writing a historical novel inspired by ventriloquism and the 17th-century German witch trials. Tune in as we chat with Nate about the challenges of writing historical fiction, his background as an advertising copywriter, and more!

Word for Word is doing its part to prove love is real with special guest Chuck Tingle, the self-proclaimed world's greatest author! Chuck Tingle is a USA Today bestselling author, as well as a two time Hugo Award finalist, Bram Stoker Award nominee, Goodreads award nominee, Golden Poppy award finalist, Locus award winner, Dragon Award winner, Audie Award winner and the recipient of the 2025 Loud Hands Award for Autistic Storytellers. He is a mysterious force of energy behind sunglasses and a pink mask. He is also an anonymous author of romance, horror, and fantasy. Chuck was born in Home of Truth, Utah, and now lives in Los Angeles, California. He writes to prove love is real, because love is the most important tool we have when resisting the endless cosmic void. 

Wireside Chat is thrilled to welcome the Queen of Cosmic Horror, Mary SanGiovanni! Mary is an award-winning horror and thriller writer of over twenty cosmic horror and supernatural thriller books, as well as numerous short stories, comics (including a Wonder Woman story for DC), a media tie-in book in the Alien franchise, and several works of nonfiction. Her writing has been translated internationally. She has an MFA in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University, Pennsylvania, and is currently a member of the Authors Guild, the International Thriller Writers and Penn Writers, as well as an instructor in the Online MFA. Join us as we talk about horror, tie-in writing, comics and more!

In this special edition of Wireside Chat, Jacob Powers, dean of SNHU's online Master's program in Creative Writing, and Paul Witcover, dean of SNHU's Online MFA, discuss the graduate study of Creative Writing and answer questions from the audience about SNHU's two online graduate programs in Creative Writing. If you are interested in studying Creative Writing at the graduate level but uncertain whether the MA or the MFA is the right choice for you, you will not want to miss this informative webinar!

Word for Word is proud to welcome award-winning author Courtney Milan. Ms. Milan began her career with a starred review in Publisher's Weekly and has never looked back. A self-publishing pioneer, she has gone on to become one of the top-selling and best-reviewed Romance authors writing today. Her bestselling historical romances are known for their wit, characterization, and plot. Ms. Milan's background in law—she clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor—has made her a leading authority on copyright, contracts, and intellectual property. She has been a steadfast champion of author rights, as well as a staunch advocate for women and diversity in publishing.

For this year's Publishing Panel, Word for Word is proud to welcome two industry experts! Jane Friedman needs no introduction to aspiring writers. Her book "The Business of Becoming a Writer" is used as a class text in the Online MFA and in many other degree programs. Her long-running newsletter "The Bottom Line" provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals. In 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World. Laura Stanfill is an author, editor and the publisher of Forest Avenue Press. Her book "A Writer’s Guide to Unlocking Your Story, Choosing a Publishing Path and Honoring Your Creative Journey" appeared in 2025.

Wireside Chat is thrilled to welcome back Online MFA instructor and bestselling author Melissa Marr! Melissa's most recent novel, Greta Gets the Girl, was published in January from Bramble, the romance imprint of TOR. Her novel A Treason of Magic, publishing in June, is a Regency-era fantasy and the first in a duology. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion about crossing genres, writing comic books, and what MFA students need to know about today's volatile publishing landscape.

Word for Word is proud to welcome New York Times bestselling author Malinda Lo. Malinda's novel Last Night at the Telegraph Club won the National Book Award, the Stonewall Book Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a Printz Honor, and was an LA Times Book Prize finalist. Join us as she reads from Telegraph Club and answers questions about her writing journey!

Wireside Chat proudly welcomes Online MFA alum Jessica L. Cozzi, whose YA Romance thesis novel, We've Hit Turbulence, was picked up by an agent after a SNHU Pitch Weekend and was published by Delacorte in January! Not content to rest on her laurels, Jess has already sold two more novels to Delacorte! Join us as she reads from her work and traces her path to literary success both as an author and as a publicist for William Morrow!