Kudos to Fresno Writers — Spring 2023

June 2, 2023.Reading time 35 minutes.

New Fresno State alumna Mialise Carney, left, and alumna Kathy Fagan both won significant awards for their creative writing this spring.

This compilation includes news between January and May 2023

English alumni carve unexpected paths to meaningful careers

May 23, 2023.Reading time 51 minutes.

Meet five English alumni who’ve gone on to successful careers outside of teaching or publishing.

Once a Young Writers’ Conference attendee, creative writing major now part of editorial board

April 25, 2023.Reading time 9 minutes.

Isabella De La Torre, by Jefferson Beavers

For high school students like De La Torre, the English Department’s biggest annual event marks a series of firsts: the first time stepping onto a college campus, the first time attending a writing conference and for some, the first time seeing their writing published.

2023 Undergraduate Conference on Multiethnic Literatures of the Americas features two keynote speakers

February 27, 2023.Reading time 1 minute.

Shadab Zeest Hashmi and Dr. LeiLani Nishime headshots

The 14th annual Undergraduate Conference on Multiethnic Literatures of the Americas (UCMLA) features keynote addresses from authors and scholars Shadab Zeest Hashmi and Dr. LeiLani Nishime.

Fresno State Creative Writing students perform at 2023 Rogue Festival

February 17, 2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

Gray background with red text that reads, "# Fresno Writers" and blue text, "Live."

Creative writing and literature students from Fresno State’s Department of English will headline the “Fresno Writers Live” performances at the 2023 Rogue Festival, scheduled for March 3 through 11 in Fresno’s Tower District.

Kudos to Fresno Writers — Fall 2022

February 3, 2023.Reading time 23 minutes.

Alumni Gabriel Ibarra (left) and Pilar Christiana Graham have joined the list of more than 50 Fresno State MFA alumni to publish a debut book.

Kudos to #FresnoWriters is an ongoing series on the Fresno State MFA blog, celebrating the professional accomplishments of students, alumni, and faculty in Fresno State’s Department of English and Creative Writing Program.

Georgia author wins 2022 Philip Levine Prize for Poetry

February 3, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

Éric Morales-Franceschini in a black hat and shirt in a forest.

The Fresno State Master of Fine Arts Program in creative writing announced Georgia author Éric Morales-Franceschini has won the 2022 Philip Levine Prize for Poetry book contest, which includes a $2,000 award and publication of his debut full-length poetry collection, “Syndrome.”

English symposium traces hope across boundaries

December 1, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

Manuel Muñoz in a blue denim jacket and left hand in his hair. Photo by Manuel Muñoz

Author and Central Valley native Manuel Muñoz will deliver the keynote address for Fresno State’s sixth annual Students of English Studies Association symposium on December 8 and 9. The theme of this year’s symposium is “Transcending Boundaries: Finding Hope in the Now.”

Library careers offer English alumni a collection of opportunities

October 26, 2022.Reading time 24 minutes.

Taylor Petersen posing with a skeleton, smiling.

Dozens of English Department alumni over the years have gone on to develop successful library careers.

Professor Mai Der Vang wins American Book Award

September 9, 2022.Reading time 1 minute.

Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry Mai Der Vang stands in front of a green field and a setting sun.

Author Mai Der Vang, an assistant professor of English at Fresno State, won an American Book Award for her documentary poetry collection, “Yellow Rain.”