Word for Word Featuring the Penmen Review Fall Fiction Contest Winners

The five winners of the 10th Annual Penmen Review Fall Fiction Contest read their winning stories and discuss their writing journeys. Welcome N. Ryan Tucker, Jesse Teller, Amy Midgett, Jenel Alan, and Megan Okonsky!

Word for Word featuring Special Guests Adrienne Kisner and Melissa Marr

Join us as Word for Word celebrates SNHU's creative writing instructors in a special event spotlighting Young Adult fiction! Award-winning writers and SNHU instructors Melissa Marr and Adrienne Kisner read from their works-in-progress, discuss their writing journeys, and share insights into today's YA fiction market!

Word for Word featuring Special Guest Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Word for Word proudly welcomes award-winning, bestselling writer Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, author of the collection Friday Black and the novel Chain-Gang All-Stars. Listen as this young literary superstar reads and discusses his work, his writer’s journey, and the uses and abuses of violence in fiction.

Word for Word Featuring Special Guest Dr. Paul LeBlanc

Join us as Word for Word welcomes author and SNHU President Dr. Paul LeBlanc! Topics include the impact of the liberal arts on Dr. LeBlanc's distinguished career, the impact of AI on the future of liberal arts and creative writing, what lies ahead for him and SNHU, and more!

Word for Word with Special Guest Kelly Link

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.

Word for Word Presents the Role of the Editor in Publishing

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! 

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. 

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.

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. 

Word for Word Spotlight on Creative Writing Graduates (2023)

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).