Community Highlights

Susan Vespoli Publishes “Self Portrait as Mother in Chapters” in Gyroscope Review

January 20, 2023

Congratulations to Susan Vespoli, whose poem “Self Portrait as Mother in Chapters” was published in Gyroscope Review. Read it here. 

Barbara Henning’s “Ferne: A Detroit Story” Listed as a Michigan Notable Book of 2023

January 9, 2023

Congratulations to instructor Barbara Henning, whose book Ferne: A Detroit Story was listed in the Michigan Notable Books 2023 list. 

Tina Barry Publishes “The Little I Remember”

January 4, 2023

Congratulations to Tina Barry, whose poem “The Little I Remember” was featured in Rattle, then reposted by Verse Daily. Read it here.

Susan Vespoli Publishes “I want to focus on light,” in Plum Tree Review

January 2, 2023

Congratulations to Susan Vespoli, whose poem “I want to focus on light,” was published in Plum Tree Review. Read it here!

Susan Vespoli Publishes “Dear 2022” in New Verse News

December 28, 2022

Congratulations to Susan Vespoli, whose poem “Dear 2022” was published in New Verse News. Read it here.

Two Publications by Rudri Patel’s Students

December 21, 2022

Congratulations to Lisa Braxton and Leena Trivedi-Grenier, two students of Rudri Patel’s who both have exciting publications.

Lisa’s piece, called “Our Messes,” was published in The New York Times. Read it here. 

Leena Trivedi-Grenier’s piece, called “Racism Caused Early Graying. Now I Turn It Into Hair Art.”, was published in The Cut. Read it here.

Congratulations to all!

Susan Vespoli Publishes “3 Sonnets from Adam’s Text Messages from 2020 to Day He Died – March 12, 2022” in Anti-Heroin Chic

December 9, 2022

Congratulations to instructor Susan Vespoli, whose “3 Sonnets from Adam’s Text Messages from 2020 to Day He Died – March 12, 2022” were published in Anti-Heroin Chic. 

Liz Mayers Receives Pushcart Nomination

December 5, 2022

Congratulations to Liz Mayers, whose 50 word story “Adopting Catherine” was nominated for the Pushcart Prize by Blink-Ink. Liz credits her courses with Giulietta Nardone and Barbara Henning for bringing out words she didn’t know she had. 

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Publication Opportunities

delmarva review

Delmarva Review

Delmarva Review seeks literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry with fresh, evocative voices. The journal publishes once a year, making this a highly selective publication. All accepted writers receive a free copy of the journal, alongside publication next to many well-acclaimed writers.

chicago writers association

Open for Submissions: Write City Magazine

Write City Magazine, a publication out of the Chicago Writer’s Association, seeks poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for their upcoming issues. All accepted works receive a small stipend, on top of publication. Be sure to read their submissions guidelines before submitting!

A Gelato a Day Keeps the Tantrums Away

A new travel anthology A Gelato a Day Keeps the Tantrums Away is seeking narrative short story submissions on the theme of family travel. Stories should be of a narrative nature and reflect the wonders, surprises, pitfalls and hilarious moments that can occur when traveling with family members of all shapes, sizes, types and styles. Contributors should be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. There is limited room for stories by international writers, who are encouraged to submit. Submissions are due September 30th.

Rolling Submissions: Tongue Tied Mag

Tongue Tied Mag is regularly seeking poetry and hybrid works. The journal tends to publish new and emerging writers, and prefers works that are literary, innovative, and fresh. Tongue Tied’s editors often work with their poets on feedback and edits, helping new writers put out polished, impressive pieces.

Rolling Submissions: Quarantine Collection

Quarantine Collection was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The journal documents literary responses to both the coronavirus crisis and other creative works produced during quarantine. Emphasis on submissions that are playful or experimental. Open to all genres.

Newfound’s “Inner Spaces”

Newfound is accepting submissions for their themed journal “Inner Spaces.” The journal is looking for pieces that investigate intrapersonal experiences and identity development. All genres welcome; submissions are due by December 21st.

Quarterly Journal: 3Elements Literary Review

3Elements Literary Review is accepting literature that combines the following 3 elements: “trapeze, pinprick, calico.” The journal is open to submissions from all genres, and enjoys works that are experimental and creative. Submissions are due August 31st.

Recent Student Testimonials

Arnold Doyle – Telling Truth

Ollie was very encouraging and supportive; they not only knew their stuff, but shared feedback in a non-critical manner. This course provided an intimate and challenging opportunity for me to learn about various poetry forms/styles, as well as the experience of writing and sharing unedited, first-draft poems based on prompts provided by the instructor. It forced me to work outside my comfort zone, and that was a benefit in and of itself, outside of the class material.

Nancy LaChance – Telling Truth

Ollie was a wonderful teacher. I think it was through their feedback that I gained the best understanding of how working in this kind of format can truly revolutionize your writing.

Techwashed – Aravinda Garimella

If you are a writer interested in the pervasive effects of tech on society, this course is a must-take. Shankar creates an inspiring space for creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and celebration of each other’s work. I found the generative prompts in this class inspiring. The students in this class were truly amazing people and the course has opened up a whole world of possibilities for my creative writing. Shankar is also extremely generous with resources, so you are learning for long after the class is over

Lori Posdal – Scene Study

Susan is a gifted teacher. She created an atmosphere of safety to express ourselves. Use of strongly written scenes along with lecture on technique was very helpful as a set up for our assignments. I especially enjoyed the break out sessions in class which allowed for time to meet classmates more intimately. I learned quite a bit!

Maria Warner – Scene Study

This class was great. Susan went above and beyond what I expected. Her feedback and workshopping with the other students was extremely helpful. Susan is a gem!

Chris Peterson – Scene Study

Susan Pohlman is very encouraging and her critiques of our work (not just suggestions but reasons for them) were most helpful. She’s warm, welcoming and obviously very knowledgeable and experienced in the writing field, as well as very talented. Her enthusiasm and love of sharing that knowledge is palpable and encouraging in itself.

Anne Samulevicius – Ordinary to Extraordinary

Excellent. Tina gave consistently thoughtful feedback – on various aspects of the poems, from structure to tempo to content – and was able to meet each writer where they are which is crucial, I feel. As a beginner I felt encouraged but also nudged to consider things I hadn’t before.

Joe Medeiros – The Joy of Poetry

Joy is a tremendous teacher and an enthusiastic person who has made me want to write at a time of my life when I wanted to be as far from pen and paper as possible. Her enthusiasm and love of poetry is truly infectious. She challenged us to write on the spot with no pressure or judgement. The way she analyzed poetry made it understandable and accessible. Without a doubt one of the best writing teachers I’ve ever had because she made me want to write.

writers.com Courses Starting Soon:

Next-Level Creative Nonfiction: Elevating Essays, Memoir, Travel Writing & Literary Journalism

August 15, 2014

Elevate your memoir, travel writing, literary journalism, & lyric and personal essays.

The Ongoing Fiction Workshop

November 10, 2014

Many students have attended this 10-week online fiction workshop with Shelley Singer multiple times, completed novels, and come back to finish more books.

Claiming Our Stories: Autobiography, Memoir & Autobiographical Fiction

November 12, 2014

Turn your experience into fiction, autobiography, or creative memoir. Bring forward stories with a powerful truth at their core. Instructor Anya Achtenberg.

Creative Nonfiction and the Personal Essay

November 12, 2014

Gretchen Clark pick axes her way into the volcanic marriage of real life and fiction. Weekly writing with incisive feedback.

Poetic Prose: The Prose Poem

November 17, 2014

Explore the border between prose poetry and flash fiction. For writers of fiction, poetry, essay and memoir.