Writing Popular Fiction: September 2023
SHUWPF News
*Alumna MaryAnn Diorio is happy to report that her latest novel, The Rabbi and Mrs Goldstein, was released in August. It is Book 2 in her series titled The Wives of Old Cape May.
EBOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCCD4ZSM
PRINT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1959699075
*Mentor Scott Johnson shared the good news that his book, Through the Witches Stone, has taken the bronze medal in the Readers' Favorite International Book Award contest in the Young Adult-General category.
*Alumna PJ Whiskeyman (writing as Riley Kilmore), had a short story place second in the 2023 West Virginia Fiction competition judged this year by Ann Pancake.
*Alum Sheldon Higdon's debut novel (middle grade) The Eerie Brothers and The Witches of Autumn is now available! In October, Sheldon will be visiting middle schools, libraries, & bookstores in PA & Ohio, as well as virtual events in MT, FL, & NJ. He was interviewed, in-studio, at radio stations WEOL 930/100.3 & Mix, 102.7, WCPZ, and was interviewed by two Ohio newspapers The Morning Journal and The Lorain County Community Guide.
*Current SHUWPF student Rebekah Fraser (writing as Tara L. Roí) saw the release of the 2nd edition of her book Haven. Books 2 & 3 in the trilogy will follow soon, as well as the print version. She also recently attended and participated in the Elm City LIT Fest. Check out The Arts Paper coverage, which also mentions alumna Briana Smith!
*Alumna Joy Held shared a few pieces of good news! She started teaching in the MFA Creative Writing program for Southern New Hampshire University online. She also sold a young adult historical fantasy novel, The Mermaid Riot, to Melange Books/YA division. She has a new book out from Headline Books, Inc. called Writer Wellness WORKBOOK and GUIDED JOURNAL. It partners with the main book Writer Wellness: A Writer's Path to Health and Creativity also from Headline Books, Inc. (2020). Additionally, she started a subscription box program for writers called My WriteDay. Bi-monthly boxes include a writing craft book, healthy snacks, and other writerly items.
Upcoming Events
*Join SHUWPF faculty Kosoko Jackson and Director Dr. Nicole Peeler on October 12th at Carnegie Library Lecture Hall to discuss Kosoko's newest novel, The Forest Demands Its Due. Tickets are free, but please register here.
*Alumna Joy Held will be at some upcoming book signings with Headline Books:
Friday, September 29, West Virginia Buckwheat Festival, Kingwood, WV
Saturday, October 21, West Virginia Book Festival, Charleston, WV
*Assistant Director Dr. Michael Arnzen, Program Coordinator Sara Tantlinger, mentor Gwendolyn Kiste, and alumna Michelle R. Lane will be joining other local horror writers at a reading on October 19th at the Monongahela Library, 7pm, with free admission.
Opportunities
*Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence; AHWIR Writers Masterclass, with Ann Pancake—2023 One Book One WV Common Read Author. Submission deadline is September 22.
*Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing job opening (University of Iowa)
*Submissions: Planet Scumm; Gamut Magazine; Intrepidus Ink; Wicked Taxidermy Press; Grendel Press
Send Us News!
We are ALWAYS looking for WPF news to share! If you’re a student, alum, or mentor, please let us know of publications, events, or other writing-related news that we can share in our future newsletters. Remember these will be brief blips of news, but we can include links, too. Send news to shuwpf@gmail.com
We also love book photos and links, and of course, any throwback WPF photos!