The schedule has been sent to our alums’ inboxes. If you have questions or cannot find it, please email Terry Price at terry@terryprice.net
Thursday, May 28 – Saturday, May 30, 2020
#SpaldingWriting
Some events take place on the Spalding MFA in Writing Alumni Association Facebook Group. If you’re not already a member, ask to join at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SpaldingMFAalumni/
Have an idea for a session YOU’d like to host? Contact Marjetta Geerling at marjettag@gmail.com.
Thursday, May 28
Noon Eastern / 11 Central / 10 Mountain / 9 Pacific: Homecoming kicks off!
Today’s Asynchronous Events
Homecoming gets underway at noon!
View a kickoff video from School of Writing Chair Kathleen Driskell and a welcome and intro from Terry Price (F ’06), Marjetta Geerling (W4CYA ’11), and Katy Yocom (F ’03). Links TBA.
Faculty Lecture Spotlights
Listen to faculty lectures from our archive, then join the conversation! Today’s discussions:
- Poetry. Greg Pape’s Spring 2009 lecture, “The Shape of the Poem: Notes on Analogue Form.” Discussion leader: Nancy Chen Long (P ’13).
- Fiction and CNF. Jody Lisberger’s Spring 2018 lecture, “Seen/Scene* and Unseen: A Counterintuitive Lesson in Dramatic Power.” Discussion leader: Cris Trapani-Scott (F/P ’09).
- W4C&YA, PW, and SW. Gabriel Dean’s Spring 2013 lecture, “Child’s Play: Dialogue for Young Characters.” Discussion leader: Ann Simmons Schwarz (W4CYA ’17).
Literary Chat: Why We Like It!
In short videos, our alumni hosts introduce a brief text they particularly like. The videos and handouts are available on Google Docs so you can view and comment on your own schedule. (You’ll need a Google account to access the videos. To comment, click the white ‘+’ in the comment icon at the top of the video. Technology not behaving as expected? Try using a different device.) No sign-up needed.
Melissa Hamilton (W4CYA ’18) discusses the YA novel Splintered by A. G. Howard, focusing on the opening chapter. She touches on what makes this first chapter a strong one that finds favor with agents. Watch Melissa’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Barbara Sabol (P ’10) explores the power of the well-chosen concrete noun in the catalog/list poem using Gail Martin’s poem “Juggler.” Watch Barbara’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Kendra Juskus (P ’14) takes us through a deep reading of the poem “A Prayer That Will Be Answered” by Anna Kamienìska. She provides background on Kamienìska and dwells on aspects of silence. Watch Kendra’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Nancy Chen Long (P ’13) introduces the lyric essay “Genome Tome,” lingering on the essay’s form and the mix of genres in the essay. Watch Nancy’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Community Story
Let’s tell a story together, sentence by sentence, person by person, and see what happens! Sign up here, and before Homecoming begins, host Kimm Stammen (F ‘19) will send you a time window when you can enter the Community Story document, read what’s been written so far, and add one sentence. At the end of Homecoming the completed story will be emailed to all participants. From a collection of sentences, a story; from a gathering (no matter how virtual) of writers, a community.
Craft Q&A: Marilyn Millstone talks with Katy Yocom
Playwright and journalist Marilyn Millstone (PW ’16) interviews Katy Yocom (F ’03) about the process of writing her prize-winning debut novel, Three Ways to Disappear.
Today’s Live Events
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Mixer with Faculty and Graduating Students!
Meet the graduating students and say hello to faculty and each other! No sign-up needed. Link TBA.
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern / 1 – 2:30 Central / 12 – 1:30 Mountain / 11 – 12:30 Pacific
Book club discussion: Olive Kitteridge.
Hosted by Kim Shaver (P ’18). In Olive Kitteridge we meet Olive’s neighbors, acquaintances, former students, and family—who are somehow vaguely familiar. For me, this book captures the bittersweet, quirky ways relationships collide, making ordinary life pretty extraordinary. It’s also a book of innovation, beauty, and fine craftsmanship. So, let’s have a pandemic party book club and talk about the amazing Olive Kitteridge. Sign up here! Link TBA.
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Eastern / 6 – 7: 30 Central / 5 – 6:30 Mountain / 4 – 5:30 Pacific
LOBBY TIME!
Come hang out in the (virtual) Brown Hotel lobby with friends old and new. Drop in anytime and stay as long as you want. Link TBA. Sign up here!
- Marjetta Geerling (W4CYA ’11), host. “Bring Your Pet to the Lobby! Stop by and introduce us to your furry friend.”
- Charlotte Rains Dixon (F ’03), host
- Joseph Myers (CNF ’19) and Meghan Holsclaw (SW ’19), hosts
9:00 – 10:15 p.m. Eastern / 8 – 9:15 Central / 7 – 8:30 Mountain / 6 – 7:30 Pacific
Café MFA.
Alumni open-mic readings via Zoom. Hosted by Lia Eastep (CNF ’08). Link TBA. Sign up to read!
Friday, May 29
Today’s Asynchronous Events
Faculty Lecture Spotlights
Fiction. Silas House’s Fall 2016 lecture,”Surrender: Method Writing and Spiritual Research.” Discussion leader: Cris Trapani-Scott (F/P ’09).
Poetry. Jeanie Thompson’s Spring 2014 lecture, “Integrity of the Line in Open Form Poetry.” Discussion leader: Nancy Chen Long (P ’13).
W4CYA. Leslea Newman’s Spring 2015 lecture, “Our Bodies Ourselves: Exploring the Impact of Physical Traits in Young Adult Literature.” Discussion leader: Ann Simmons Schwarz (W4CYA ’17).
Literary Chat: Why We Like It!
Melissa Hamilton (W4CYA ’18) discusses the YA novel Splintered by A. G. Howard, focusing on the opening chapter. She touches on what makes this first chapter a strong one that finds favor with agents. Watch Melissa’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Barbara Sabol (P ’10) explores the power of the well-chosen concrete noun in the catalog/list poem using Gail Martin’s poem “Juggler.” Watch Barbara’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Kendra Juskus (P ’14) takes us through a deep reading of the poem “A Prayer That Will Be Answered” by Anna Kamienìska. She provides background on Kamienìska and dwells on aspects of silence. Watch Kendra’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Nancy Chen Long (P ’13) introduces the lyric essay “Genome Tome,” lingering on the essay’s form and the mix of genres in the essay. Watch Nancy’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Craft Q&A: Marilyn Millstone talks with Katy Yocom
Playwright and journalist Marilyn Millstone (PW ’16) interviews Katy Yocom (F ’03) about the process of writing her prize-winning debut novel, Three Ways to Disappear.
Today’s Live Events
Three Sessions of Writing Sprints
2:00 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern / 1 – 1:30 Central / 12 – 12:30 Mountain / 11 – 11:30 Pacific
4:00 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern / 3 – 3:30 Central / 2 – 2:30 Mountain / 1 – 1:30 Pacific
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Eastern / 5 – 5:30 Central / 4 – 4:30 Mountain / 3 – 3:30 Pacific
Writing Sprints with hosts Kait Ballenger (W4CYA ’13) and Jon Ballenger (SW ’14). A writing sprint is a short burst of focused writing. Come participate as a virtual group (separate but together) along with fellow Spalding MFA alums and current students in our community. Join us as we support each other while adding new words to our current works-in-progress! Come for one session, all six Friday and Saturday, or anywhere in between. Check in at the beginning and end of each sprint in our private Facebook group! #productivity #youvegotthis #accountability. Link TBA. No sign-up needed.
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Eastern / 4:30 – 5:30 Central / 3:30 – 4:30 Mountain / 2:30 – 3:30 Pacific
Faculty Reading.
Readings by Silas House (fiction), Lesléa Newman (writing for children & YA), Sam Zalutsky (screenwriting), Douglas Manuel (poetry), and Kathleen Driskell (poetry). No sign-up needed. Link TBA.
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Eastern / 6 – 7: 30 Central / 5 – 6:30 Mountain / 4 – 5:30 Pacific
LOBBY TIME!
Come hang out in the (virtual) Brown Hotel lobby. Link TBA. Sign up here!
- Omar Figueras (F/CNF ’13), host. “Guilty Pleasures & Innocent Fun: Revealing the Trashy Reads, Movies, & TV Shows We Secretly Love.”
- Lia Eastep (CNF ’08), host. “Under the Influences: Incorporating Cross-genre Influences into Your Work (and Life).”
- Terry Price (F ’06), host. “What Do You Need as a Writer?”
9:00 – 10:15 p.m. Eastern / 8 – 9:15 Central / 7 – 8:30 Mountain / 6 – 7:30 Pacific
Café MFA.
Alumni open-mic readings via Zoom. Hosted by Katerina Stoykova (P/CNF ’09). Link TBA. Sign up to read!
Saturday, May 30
Today’s Asynchronous Events
Faculty Lecture Spotlights
Poetry. Debra Kang Dean’s Fall 2012 lecture, “Written on the Pulse: A Brief Look at Rhythm.” Discussion leader: Nancy Chen Long (P ’13).
W4CYA. Edie Hemingway’s Spring 2016 lecture, “Achieving the Emotional Pinnacle of Your Story.” Discussion leader: Ann Simmons Schwarz (W4CYA ’17).
Literary Chat: Why We Like It!
Melissa Hamilton (W4CYA ’18) discusses the YA novel Splintered by A. G. Howard, focusing on the opening chapter. She touches on what makes this first chapter a strong one that finds favor with agents. Watch Melissa’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Barbara Sabol (P ’10) explores the power of the well-chosen concrete noun in the catalog/list poem using Gail Martin’s poem “Juggler.” Watch Barbara’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Kendra Juskus (P ’14) takes us through a deep reading of the poem “A Prayer That Will Be Answered” by Anna Kamienìska. She provides background on Kamienìska and dwells on aspects of silence. Watch Kendra’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Nancy Chen Long (P ’13) introduces the lyric essay “Genome Tome,” lingering on the essay’s form and the mix of genres in the essay. Watch Nancy’s short video, then join the discussion in the Comments.
Craft Q&A: Marilyn Millstone talks with Katy Yocom
Playwright and journalist Marilyn Millstone (PW ’16) interviews Katy Yocom (F ’03) about the process of writing her prize-winning debut novel, Three Ways to Disappear.
Today’s Live Events
Three Sessions of Writing Sprints
2:00 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern / 1 – 1:30 Central / 12 – 12:30 Mountain / 11 – 11:30 Pacific
4:00 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern / 3 – 3:30 Central / 2 – 2:30 Mountain / 1 – 1:30 Pacific
6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Eastern / 5 – 5:30 Central / 4 – 4:30 Mountain / 3 – 3:30 Pacific
Writing Sprints with hosts Kait Ballenger (W4CYA ’13) and Jon Ballenger (SW ’14). Come participate along with fellow Spalding MFA alums and current students as we support each other while adding new words to our current works-in-progress! Join one session, all six, or anywhere in between. Check in at the beginning and end of each sprint in our private Facebook group! Link TBA. No sign-up needed.
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. Eastern / 2 – 2:45 Central / 1 – 1:45 Mountain / Noon – 12:45 Pacific
Alumni Association Wish List, with Marjetta Geerling.
What would you like to see the MFA Alumni Association offer in the next year or two? Come share your ideas. Link TBA. No sign-up needed.
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Eastern / 3:30 – 4:30 Central / 2:30 – 3:30 Mountain / 1:30 – 2:30 Pacific
Commencement Ceremony.
If you’d like attend the commencement ceremony of the Class of Spring 2020, please email Katy at kyocom@spalding.edu.
5:45 – 6:45 p.m. Eastern / 4:45 – 5:45 Central / 3:45 – 4:45 Mountain / 2:45 – 3:45 Pacific
Graduation Celebration.
Drop into our small-group “celebration rooms” and congratulate the brand- new graduates! No sign-up needed. Links TBA.
6:45 – 7:00 p.m. Eastern / 5:45 – 6 Central / 4:45 – 5 Mountain / 3:45 – 4 Pacific
Graduation Toast.
Come together with the whole group and raise a glass to the graduates! Link TBA. No sign-up needed.
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Eastern / 6 – 7: 30 Central / 5 – 6:30 Mountain / 4 – 5:30 Pacific
LOBBY TIME!
Come hang out in the (virtual) Brown Hotel lobby with friends old and new. Drop in anytime and stay as long as you want. Link TBA. Sign up here!
- Claudia Love Mair (CNF ’17), host. “Love Writing in the Time of Covid.”
- DOC Krueger (P ’18), host. “Wine and Words.”
- Joe Baillargeon (F ’14) and Liza Mattison (F ’14), hosts. “Quarantine Couture (Qu’outure). Folks may show up decked in their finest or funnest frippery for these pandemic times.”
9:00 – 10:15 p.m. Eastern / 8 – 9:15 Central / 7 – 8:30 Mountain / 6 – 7:30 Pacific
Literary After Party: A Ten-Year Celebration!
Hosted by Teneice Durrant (P ’06). An alumni reading, now in its tenth year. At the end of the evening, we’ll say a few words to close out Homecoming. Link TBA. Sign up to read!
Looking forward to seeing you at our Virtual Homecoming!
This Virtual Homecoming is brought to you by the MFA Alumni Association Steering Committee:
Donna Gay Anderson (PW ’18)
Kristin Dennis (F ’10)
Lia Eastep (CNF ’08)
Jeffrey Fischer Smith (PW ’17)
Annie Frazier Crandell (F ’17)
Marjetta Geerling (W4CYA ’11)
Meghan Holsclaw (SW ’19)
Jane Jones (PW ’17)
Andrea Kilpatrick (W4CYA ’18)
Nancy Chen Long (P ’13)
Joseph Myers (CNF ’19)
Terry Price (F ’06)
Cappy Rush (PW ’12)
Katy Yocom (F ’03)
With thanks to the directors and staff of the School of Creative and Professional Writing.
