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 evaluat ..read more

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 ..read more

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   ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

Ryan Gravatt, CEO and Owner of Raconteur joins us to give us an idea of what a typical workday looks like as a liberal arts professional, as well as how to make yourself stand out in an interview. Ryan speaks about his “rule of three’s” as it pertains to your career journey, as well as different paths to think about as a profession within the Liberal Arts niche. Feel free to connect with Ryan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryangravatt/overlay/contact-info ..read more

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 ..read more

Landis Tindell, Manager of Corporate Communications for the Oklahoma City Thunder joins us to give us an idea of what a typical workday looks like as a communications professional, as well as how to make yourself stand out in an interview. Landis’ extensive experience in the Liberal Arts and communications spaces paints a great picture for students of what a career journey can look like to help get you to where you want to go. Feel free to connect with Landis on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ltindell ..read more

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 ..read more

Lisa Holder, Chief Communications Officer with the City of Sanford in Sanford, Florida gives a great overview of what it’s like to work in the communications field. With social media being a heavy presence now a days, we explore this area in depth with Lisa as well as others. Lisa also provides tips on other communications related roles in the public sector that may be of interest, and how to prepare for them. You can find Lisa’s information at https://sanfordfl.gov/government/communications-office ..read more