Featured Writing

Cell phone on an unmade bed

An unsent drunk text during no contact

by Jason Grant The entire king-sized bed is mine now, but I can’t seem to move from the left side to the right because on the nights you were here—laying there—if I dared move from my side to yours in the middle of the night it was like I-was-crossing-some-boundary you-needed…

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Open notepad in front of a laptop

The Role of the Editor in Publishing

Each year, Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) Word for Word Literary Series dedicates an event to a panel of creative writing professionals. This year, the spotlight was on the role of the editor in the publishing industry, with editors Ellen Datlow and Joe Monti, and copyeditor Deanna Hoak. Ellen Datlow has…

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Flower on books

Word for Word Spotlights Poets Carla Sameth and Stephanie Wytovich

Each year, Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) Word for Word Literary Series dedicates an event to instructors from its online creative writing programs. This year, the spotlight was on poetry for the first time ever, with instructors Carla Rachel Sameth and Stephanie M. Wytovich reading and discussing their work. Stephanie…

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Alyssa Cole

Word for Word, Featuring Special Guest Alyssa Cole

On Thursday, February 16, 2023, Word for Word, Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) online literary series, proudly welcomed Alyssa Cole, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of romantic thrillers and more. Her debut thriller, “When No One Is Watching,” won the 2021 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best…

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The book cover for "In the Shadow of the Valley" by Bobi Conn.

The Penmen Profile: A Q&A with Memoirist Bobi Conn

by Pamme Boutselis A Kentucky native, Bobi Conn grew up in an Appalachian holler, withstanding a tumultuous childhood while developing an innate love for words and the natural beauty of her surroundings. Both still run deep and she’s instilled each in her debut publication – recently released – “In the…

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The book jacket of Colin Dodd's new novel, "Ms. Never."

The Penmen Profile: Writer Colin Dodds Releases New Sci-Fi Novel

by Rebecca LeBoeuf Colin Dodds just added a sixth novel to his list of published works. This November, he brought two people with dark secrets together in “Ms. Never,” a sci-fi story that tackles a number of life’s mysteries. Dodds is a poet, novelist and film director and has been…

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"What I Know [How to Do]" chapbook cover.

The Penmen Profile: SNHU Alumnus Publishes Debut Chapbook

Michael Garrigan was in his capstone class for his MA in English & Creative Writing program when he first dreamed up “What I Know [How to Do].” Using an instructional “how-to” theme, he wrote a poem he knew would be the beginning of a collection. Sure enough, Garrigan published his…

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The Penmen Profile: MFA Student, Disney Writer-for-Hire

When Alexandra Z. Lazar isn’t working on her first novel, a re-imagining of the Fairy Godmother’s sister, she’s adapting Disney movies into children’s books. Lazar got her start as a Disney Writer-for-Hire by entering fan fiction contests for her favorite book series, “Kingdom Keepers” by Ridley Pearson.  In an interview…

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The Penmen Profile: YA and Adult Literary Fiction Author Natalie Haney Tilghman

By Rebecca LeBoeuf Natalie Haney Tilghman co-wrote “A 52-Hertz Whale,” a young adult novel, with author Bill Sommer. When a juvenile humpback whale separates from its pod, a high school freshman calls upon a young filmmaker who volunteered in his special education program to help him locate it. The plot…

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The Penmen Profile: Award-Winning Author and Columnist Vanessa Hua

By Rebecca LeBoeuf Much of Vanessa Hua’s factual and fictional writing focuses on Asia and the diaspora. Her debut novel, “A River of Stars,” which follows a pregnant Chinese immigrant, is due out in August and available for preorder now. The novel already appears in multiple booklists for 2018, including…

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