Word for Word Presents the Winners of the Penmen Review Fall Fiction Contest, January 24, 2024

Word for Word is proud to host the winners of the 2023 Penmen Review Fall Fiction Contest for a virtual reading of their winning work! 
First Place: “I found a genie in a bottle of Glenlivet 12 year,” by Tayler Kastros Second Place: “Dark Water,” by Gabe Converse Third Place: “Sleeping Beauty,” by RE Bunch Fourth Place: “Beasts,” by Ness Wheeler Fifth Place: “Rat-a-tat,” by Mackenzie Bodily 
Every fall for the past nine years, writers of all genres and experience levels have submitted stories to the Penmen Review Fall Fiction Contest. This year, judges evaluated nearly 700 anonymized entries before submitting their top picks to the public for a final vote. 

Wireside Chat: Jason Morgan

Join host Paul Witcover as Wireside Chat welcomes longtime MFA instructor Jason Morgan! Writing as J. Lloyd Morgan, he is the bestselling author of Going Down the Far Well and the fantasy trilogy The Bariwon Chronicles, among other novels. We'll discuss Jason's writing journey and the importance of theme in his work and in fiction generally.

Liberal Arts Careers in Publishing: Nicole Fenner - CEO, Sister Girl Publishing

Nicole Fenner, CEO of Sister Girl Publishing joins us to give us an idea of what a typical workday looks like as a liberal arts professional after starting her own publishing company. Nicole speaks about the importance of being well-rounded and continuously growing your creative skill set. Feel free to connect with Nicole on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-fenner83/ , TikTok or Instagram @sistergirlcollection , Handshake at https://app.joinhandshake.com/edu/employers/923010/overview  or her website at www.sistergirlcollection.com  

Wireside Chat: Heather Hepler

In which hosts Melissa Hart and Paul Witcover are joined by MFA instructor and award-winning author Heather Hepler to discuss how to build a career in Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction. How do these genres differ? Where do they overlap? Heather draws on her experience writing in both genres to shed light on what can be a confusing literary landscape.

Wireside Chat: Is the MFA or MA in Creative Writing the Right Choice for You?

In which Paul Witcover, Associate Dean of the Online MFA, is joined by Jacob Powers, Associate Dean of the online BA and MA Creative Writing programs at SNHU, and Derrick Craigie, Senior Associate Dean overseeing all online Creative Writing programs at SNHU, for a Q&A. A must-listen for anyone considering a graduate degree in creative writing at SNHU!

Word for Word with Elizabeth Hand

Word for Word is honored to welcome acclaimed writer Elizabeth Hand, multiple award-winning author of the Cass Neary mysteries, the supernatural thriller Hokuloa Road, the folk-horror classic Wylding Hall, Waking the Moon, and many other novels. Her most recent novel, The Haunting on the Hill, is the official sequel to Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House. Join us as Hand reads from her work and takes questions from the audience.

Wireside Chat: Thomas Deady

In which hosts Melissa Hart and Paul Witcover welcome SNHU instructor and Bram Stoker Award-winning writer Thomas Deady, author of, most recently, the novel Eternal Darkness. Join us as we talk about his writing journey and all things Horror.

Word for Word with Morgan Talty

Word for Word kicks off its 2023-24 season of literary events by welcoming bestselling and award-winning writer Morgan Talty, author of the acclaimed collection of linked stories Night of the Living Rez. Talty, a citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation, reads from his work, discusses the craft of writing, and answers questions from moderators and attendees. 

Wireside Chat: Joseph Chianakas

In which hosts Melissa Hart and Paul Witcover are joined by SNHU instructor Joseph Chianakas, whose new YA novel, Singlets and Secrets, recently debuted as Amazon's #1 new release in teen and YA LGBTQ fiction. Listen in as we talk to Joe about his writing journey, why themes of diversity and inclusion are so central to his work, and how he is always thinking a few steps ahead in planning his career.

Wireside Chat: Melissa Hart

In which MFA instructor Melissa Hart joins Dean Paul Witcover to share her methods for leveraging short fiction and nonfiction for magazines and newspapers to build a platform and audience for her novels! This behind-the-curtains peek into the working life of a successful professional writer is full of practical advice and hard-earned knowledge about the challenges every freelance writer faces . . . and how to meet them!