MFA Creative Writing Program Launches “Writers in the World” Podcast
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Creative Writing Program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has launched a new podcast, bringing fresh stories and perspectives of SIUE students, faculty and visiting authors to listeners each Monday. The Writers in the World podcast debuted on Monday, Nov. 18, with host Grant Deam’s interview of current MFA student Kenita Jalivay about her decision to join the MFA program nearly two decades after earning her undergraduate degree at SIUE.
Deam, a teaching assistant in the Department of English Language and Literature, launched the podcast this fall in partnership with Geoffrey Schmidt, professor and director of the MFA Creative Writing Program, as a way to spread awareness about the program.
“This type of journalism and storytelling is something I am interested in,” said Deam, who is working this year to increase the Creative Writing Program’s media presence. “Long term, we hope that these episodes are informative for not just prospective students, but for all story and writing enthusiasts.”
This semester, Writers in the World will share a new story each week related to one of three themes:
- current MFA students’ respective journeys to SIUE;
- the lessons MFA Creative Writing faculty members learned from graduate school and beyond; and
- craft talks by published authors.
According to Deam, the spring semester will feature podcast episodes focusing more on the “Writer in the World” component of the MFA program.
“In their second year, MFA students create a Community Based Learning project,” Deam explained. “It is my hope that the episodes for next semester focus on the design, implementation and results from current MFA students' Community Based Learning projects.”
Tune in to the Writers in the World podcast each Monday at anchor.fm/writersintheworld or on Spotify.
