Dear Writers, 

This year I had the pleasure to serve as interim Director of Creative Writing while my colleague, fiction writer Aruni Kashyap, attended Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute where he was able to complete his autofictional novel called “My Brother and the Fortune Tellers.” All of us in the program are proud of his success and also grateful for his return to Park Hall! Welcome back, Aruni!

Aruni wasn’t the only faculty member to be recognized this past year. Our colleague LeAnne Howe was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the Oklahoma Center for the Book. Poet, photographer, and professor Andrew Zawacki attended Penumbra’s Long Term Photobook Program and his book of photos and poetry was selected to be part of Photowork’s inaugural P5 Photo Poetry Pamphlet Series. Congratultions to both of you!

This past year we welcomed one of our largest incoming classes. This cohort of nine reflects both our program’s international focus and our dedication to students interested in the culture of the South and Appalachia. I had the pleasure of getting to know them and their impressive literary projects in my graduate seminar this spring. 

As you will see on the following pages, all of our students are dedicated scholars and serious writers and poets. They have presented academic papers at conferences, have published in both mainstream and independent literary venues, and have been recognized for their accomplishments by various literary associations.

Our students and faculty bring a vibrancy not only to our English Department, but to the literary culture at large. I feel very lucky to work with them.

Dear Writers, 

This past year has been an extraordinary one for the Creative Writing Program at UGA, marked by the remarkable achievements of our students and faculty. The list of their accomplishments ranges from prestigious fellowships and national prizes to innovative publications and international projects. 

Once again, our writers have distinguished themselves in ways that affirm both the strength of their individual voices and the vitality of the program as a whole. We have celebrated faculty members whose books, awards, and artistic projects have brought national and international recognition to UGA, and we have applauded students who are beginning to shape their own distinguished careers through publications, prizes, and the building of supportive literary communities. The program has also continued to foster a culture of collaboration, dialogue, and discovery through workshops, readings, and public events that connect the university to the wider Athens community as well as to other distant parts of the globe. 

These accomplishments not only showcase the creativity and commitment that define our program but also reinforce UGA’s place as a thriving center for literary excellence and innovation. Thank you for everything that you have done! We are looking forward to another exciting year together.