Kelly Link's genre-bending-and-blending short stories have won major awards and established her as one of the most inventive writers working today. In this edition of Word for Word, Kelly reads from her bestselling new novel, The Book of Love, discusses the craft of writing, and answers questions from the audience.

Hosts Melissa Hart and Paul Witcover welcome Online MFA instructor Patricia Lillie to this month's Wireside Chat! As Patricia Lillie, she writes quiet horror and weird fiction. Her story collection, “The Cuckoo Girls,” was a 2020 Bram Stoker Award® finalist. As Kay Charles, her much nicer alter-ego, she writes cozy-ish mysteries with ghosts. Join us as we discuss Patricia's writing journey, her "nicer alter-ego," and haunted houses and ghosts in literature and real life!

Join hosts Paul Witcover and Jacob Powers as Word for Word welcomes an all-star panel of professional editors to discuss all things editorial, from acquisition to copy-editing! 

Wireside Chat welcomes longtime Online MFA instructor Anne-Marie Yerks! Anne-Marie is a creative writer and Pushcart Prize nominee from metro Detroit, MI. She is the author of Dream Junkies (New Rivers Press, 2016) and LUSH (Odyssey Books, 2020), and recently finished a literary hybrid called The Origin of Blair Millerstowe. Listen as Anne-Marie discusses freelancing, hybrid storytelling, and how to give your MFA application the best chance of success!

Jaclyn O’Connell, SNHU Alumna and owner of Bittersweet Media joins us to give us an idea of what a typical workday looks like as creative professional. Jaclyn gives advice on the importance of networking to build your brand, as well as how to build your portfolio and finding your community. Jaclyn’s website is www.bittersweet.media. You can connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynsouth/.

Join hosts Paul Witcover and Jacob Powers as Word for Word celebrates SNHU instructors and award-winning poets Carla Sameth and Stephanie Wytovich in our first-ever all-poetry event!    

Eric Onkenhout, SNHU Creative Writing Alumnus and Freelance Writer joins us to give us an idea of what a typical workday looks like as a freelance writing professional. Eric speaks how he was able to leverage his current position into a writing role, as well as how it important to be accurate when writing. 

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. 

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.

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