The Aurorean, a New England journal based in Maine, has chosen MFA program graduate Kevin Marshall "KC" Chopson as one of two featured poets for the upcoming Fall/Winter issue. Editor Cynthia Brackett-Vincent says his "poetic craftsmanship shines through in each line, image, and turn of phrase." For more about KC and other graduates, see Graduate Publications, Awards and Accomplishments.

MFA program director Squire Babcock appeared on the ABC program "Good Morning Kentucky" and KET's "One to One with Bill Goodman," to discuss his novel The King of Gaheena. See those programs here:

"Good Morning Kentucky"           

"One to One with Bill Goodman"

Chris Collins, a U.S. Army captain currently deployed on his third tour in the Middle East, contributed the poems “War” and “Child of Chicken Street” to the anthology Against Agamemnon: War Poetry, released Summer 2009 by WaterWood Press.

Dale Ray Phillips, Pulitzer Prize-nominee and Watkins Endowed Visiting Professor of Creative Writing at Murray State University, was one of 134 writers and scholars consulted for an Oxford American poll. The objective—to create a definitive list of the finest works of Southern literature. See the result.

Program graduate Pamela Johnson Parker's chapbook A Walk Through the Memory Palace won the qarrtsiluni prize, judged by Dinty Moore (see Moore's comments here). This follows recent news that Finishing Line Press picked up her chapbook Love and Other Four-Letter Words.

For more about Parker and other graduates, see Graduate Publications, Awards and Accomplishments.

Gaylord Brewer

Nickole Brown

Tommy Hays

Jeffrey Skinner

Julia Watts

Novelist Squire Babcock

MFA Program Director

OVERVIEW: MFA Faculty

The faculty members of Murray State University's MFA in creative writing program are masters in their craft, representing some of the most widely respected novelists, poets and essayists working today. They produce exciting, provocative work that pushes the boundaries of contemporary literature. They hold laundry lists of awards. Their faculty biographies tell something of their individual bodies of work.

An Infinity of Days

by graduate Greg Norton

OVERVIEW: Graduate Accomplishments

Murray State University's creative writing MFA graduates are an illustrious bunch. They've flown the perch to make their marks as poets and essayists, radio hosts and college instructors. They publish books. Their literary works turn up in publications large and small. They win coveted awards and fellowships. Most importantly, they're making valuable contributions to a growing body of contemporary American literature. More...

That Kind of Journalist

by MFA candidate Steve Vest

OVERVIEW: MFA Student Accomplishments

Murray State University's creative writing MFA students come from diverse backgrounds. They are professional journalists, radio announcers, television producers, professors and teachers, horse farmers, web designers, entertainers, parents and friends. They're building a growing, visible body of work. Here is a glimpse. More...