Featured Writing

wood stove fire

Update on Grace

by Phibby Venable blue ridges, path loose with mud,a halo of fog grayingin a new daythe old womanlaid out her firethe night before,in the rusted woodstove,that still spokeout flames each morning,and sang out cold,as she listened, trembling the newspaper toward warmthe old woman, always in smoke and daydreams, worn outand…

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A typewriter showing the words "Stories matter" typed onto a white page

Meet the Winners of the 2024 Fall Fiction Contest

The 10th annual Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Fall Fiction Contest brought writers from across the country together for a chance to win a scholarship to SNHU and publication in The Penmen Review. After receiving more than 750 submissions, a panel of creative writing experts considered several factors during their…

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Instructor Spotlight: Adrienne Kisner and Melissa Marr

Each year, the Word for Word Literary Series dedicates an event to instructors from Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) online creative writing programs. This year, the spotlight was on young adult literature, with instructors Adrienne Kisner and Melissa Marr reading and discussing their work. Adrienne Kisner is the author of three…

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Word for Word, Featuring Special Guest Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

On Wednesday, October 16, the Word for Word Literary Series welcomed award-winning author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. His debut collection, Friday Black, was a New York Times bestseller, won the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing, and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s…

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Silhouette of people in graduation gowns holding up their caps

6 Creative Writing Grads Discuss Creative Inspiration and Next Steps

On Wednesday, June 26th, 2024, Word for Word, Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) online literary series, proudly welcomed recent graduates from the BA, MA and online MFA creative writing programs.   Six readers were selected by capstone and thesis instructors for their exceptional storytelling skills and high literary achievement: Kori Elise Chamberlin and…

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Paul LeBlanc

Dr. Paul LeBlanc Discusses Liberal Arts and the Future of AI

On Wednesday, May 22, Word for Word, Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) online literary series, was honored to welcome Dr. Paul J. LeBlanc as our special guest. LeBlanc served as president of SNHU and is the author of two nonfiction books: “Students First: Equity, Access, and Opportunity in Higher Education”…

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Paul LeBlanc

Word for Word Welcomes Dr. Paul LeBlanc

On Wednesday, May 22, Word for Word, Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) online literary series, was honored to welcome Dr. Paul J. LeBlanc as our special guest. LeBlanc served as president of SNHU and is the author of two nonfiction books: “Students First: Equity, Access, and Opportunity in Higher Education”…

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Group of people reading and writing together

Word for Word, Featuring Special Guest Kelly Link

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, Word for Word, Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) online literary series, proudly welcomed award-winning author Kelly Link.   Link is the bestselling author of the novel “The Book of Love” and the collections “Stranger Things Happen,” “Magic for Beginners,” “Pretty Monsters,” “Get in Trouble” and “White Cat, Black Dog.” Her…

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Person writing in a notebook

Professional Editors Discuss Self-Publishing, Networking and More

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.  The following is…

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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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Open book in front of stacks of more books

Poets Carla Sameth and Stephanie Wytovich Discuss Writing Influences

Each year, the Word for Word Literary Series dedicates an event to instructors from Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) 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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