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.

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 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.

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 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. 

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.

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!

In which hosts Paul Witcover and Melissa Hart welcome MFA instructor Jo Stout, the author of more than twenty romance novels, including contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and erotic romance under the pen names Joelle Nichole and Rachell Nichole. Join us as we discuss Romance, erotica, pseudonyms, genre-blends . . . and more!  

In which hosts Paul Witcover and Melissa Hart welcome instructor Kelly Ann Jacobson, whose new novel, Robin and Her Misfits, is a Queer retelling of Robin Hood. Join us as we discuss the enduring power of fairy tales and folk tales in fiction!

Each year, to honor the graduates of the SNHU Creative Writing programs, six recent graduates are selected by faculty and deans to read from their work. This year, Word for Word is proud to present Amanda Garland (MA), Nicole Hansen (MFA), Melissa Kampfer (MA), Aaron Seaman (MFA), Kaylan Reid Shipanga (MFA), and Sheron Zellous (MA).