Writing News

Find more info and interviews with MTSU creative writers and guests on the In Process webzine.

Creative Writing Events (MTSU & local)

  • In Process presents an Open Mic & Café hosted by Dr. Fred Arroyo. Thursday, October 8, at 4:30 pm at the Sam Ingram Building MT Center. Free and open to the public thanks to the Virginia Peck Trust Fund, Distinguished Lectures, and the English Department.
  • Poetry in the Boro presents a mingle for creative writers, Sunday, October 11, from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Dapper Owl coffee pub. Our guest hosts will be the organizers of the recently announced Middle Tennessee Book Fest. Come out and learn about the opportunities they have planned for writers and readers! They will present a short program at about 3:45. Connect with other writers in a relaxed setting—and even sit down and write for a bit, if you’re so inspired. Come and go anytime.
  • In Process presents film/multi-genre writer Tom C. Hunley, hosted by Dr. Gaylord Brewer. Thursday, October 15, at 4:30 pm at the Sam Ingram Building MT Center. Free and open to the public thanks to the Virginia Peck Trust Fund, Distinguished Lectures, and the English Department.
  • Poetry in the Boro. Sunday, October 25 at the Dapper Owl coffee pub. Doors open at 5:30 pm; feature at 6 pm: Evelyn Berry. Complete info here on poetryintheboro.org.
  • In Process presents food writer Erin Byers Murray. Thursday, October 29, at 4:30 pm at the Sam Ingram Building MT Center. Free and open to the public thanks to the Virginia Peck Trust Fund, Distinguished Lectures, and the English Department.
  • Poetry in the Boro. Brian Seadorf releases his new book Brian Damage: Poems from a Stroke SurvivorThursday, October 29, 6:30 pm at Cedar Glade Brews. Brian is a PitB team member and open mic host,  as well as a frequent contributor at our open mic. The release of this book is on World Stroke Day. Find more info at seadorfbooks.com or instagram.com/guybrariandorf
  • In Process presents fantasy/multi-genre writer Paulette Guerin, hosted by Dr. Jennifer Kates. Thursday, November 5, at 4:30 pm at the Tom Jackson Building. (Note that this is not our usual venue.) Free and open to the public thanks to the Virginia Peck Trust Fund, Distinguished Lectures, and the English Department.
  • Poetry in the Boro presents a mingle for creative writers, Sunday, November 8, from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Dapper Owl coffee pub. Connect with other writers in a relaxed setting—and even sit down and write for a bit, if you’re so inspired. Come and go anytime.
  • In Process presents an Open Mic & Café hosted by Dr. Fred Arroyo. Thursday, November 12, at 4:30 pm at the Sam Ingram Building MT Center. Free and open to the public thanks to the Virginia Peck Trust Fund, Distinguished Lectures, and the English Department.
  • In Process presents a multi-genre celebration featuring four MTSU faculty: Fred Arroyo, Claudia Barnett, Jennifer Wachtel Kates, and Aaron Herschel Shapiro. Thursday, November 19 at 4:30 pm at the Sam Ingram Building MT Center. Free and open to the public thanks to the Virginia Peck Trust Fund, Distinguished Lectures, and the English Department.
  • Poetry in the Boro. Sunday, November 22 at the Dapper Owl coffee pub. Doors open at 5:30 pm; feature at 6 pm.
  • Bloom Stage presents a multi-genre showcase of stories, music, art & more. December 3 at the Walnut House in downtown Murfreesboro. More info TBA.
  • Poetry in the Boro presents a mingle for creative writers, Sunday, December 13, from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Dapper Owl coffee pub. Connect with other writers in a relaxed setting—and even sit down and write for a bit, if you’re so inspired. Come and go anytime.
  • Poetry in the Boro. Sunday, December 20 at the Dapper Owl coffee pub. Doors open at 5:30 pm; feature at 6 pm.

Calls for Student Writing

Outrageous Fortune, the country’s first nationwide online literary magazine for and by undergraduates, is currently accepting submissions of all genres: fiction, non-fiction, drama, film, art, photography, and poetry, and digital files such as video-recorded spoken word and short films. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Visit their website for guidelines.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has posted a useful guide to undergraduate journals in art and literature.

To have an event or call for student writing added to this calendar, contact Dr. Claudia Barnett.