Why I Bailed on a Book Deal

[Note: I have removed the name of the press on request. I originally took down the post, but am restoring it because the information may still be helpful to those considering book contracts, esp. from publishers who claim to be traditional publishers but operate more like a hybrid press. The press claims they have changedContinue reading “Why I Bailed on a Book Deal”

Spring Break

It’s spring in Mississippi, and at The W, we’re just coming off of Spring Break. Students may have been to the coast for spring break revelries or may have gone home to visit families. Some faculty may have done that, too, but many of us have been using our break from teaching class to catchContinue reading “Spring Break”

Poetry as Creative Nonfiction

This past weekend, I had a wonderful opportunity to read poems as the keynote speaker at the Mississippi Philological Association annual conference held at Mississippi Valley State University. For those who are unfamiliar with this fine organization, it is a group of English and Languages faculty and students (graduates and undergraduates) from Mississippi, Alabama, andContinue reading “Poetry as Creative Nonfiction”

Simple White Sauce for Pizza

Tonight, I wanted a change of pace for our weekly homemade pizza. I usually make the standard red sauce, though occasionally, I’ll make a white sauce with flour, but tonight, I wanted something easier and with less carbs.  Enter sun-dried tomatoes and buttermilk. Followers of this blog probably know I love cooking with buttermilk. It’sContinue reading “Simple White Sauce for Pizza”

2018 Milestones

The year is winding down, so I thought it would be fun to post a few highlights of 2018. Some I’ve written about, and some I’ve let pass without posting on the blog until now. Personal Milestones Kim and I have reached that big milestone of graduating our son, Aidan from high school at theContinue reading “2018 Milestones”

Why I Love Editing a Lit Mag

There are a lot of good reasons to love editing a literary magazine: for one, you feel like you’re doing something for writers and readers by providing an outlet for talent and curating content for the public. That is certainly true about Poetry South, the magazine I am fortunate enough to edit with a smallContinue reading “Why I Love Editing a Lit Mag”

In Memoriam: Robin Metz

I first met Robin Metz when I hitch-hiked to Knox College in the midst of a November blizzard. In typical Robin fashion, he took it all in stride, found me a place to stay on campus, and proceeded to sell me on transferring. It would have been hard to do anything else after being exposedContinue reading “In Memoriam: Robin Metz”

Eudora Welty Symposium at 30

The big day has finally arrived. The Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium will begin its 30th iteration with the kickoff in Poindexter Hall tonight at 7:30pm. Steve Yarbrough wil read from his fabulous novel The Unmade World as we explore the place of Southern writing in the world through our theme “As if the Ear of theContinue reading “Eudora Welty Symposium at 30”

Life as Department Chair

This summer, I made the transition from faculty member and director of our low-res MFA program to faculty member, director of our MFA, and chair of the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy. That may be misleading, since I’m sure the transition is far from over, but I have moved offices and begun work as chair,Continue reading “Life as Department Chair”

A Beautiful Day on the Capitol Lawn

Yesterday was another beautiful day at the #msbookfest! I spent the day, from 7am to 4pm on the lawn of the Mississippi capitol, talking with people who had been to the many panels of the book festival, and ran into a number of old friends, including authors Katie Pierce, Becky Hagenston, and Mike Smith andContinue reading “A Beautiful Day on the Capitol Lawn”