MFA News Room

MFAC faculty member Ron Koertge discusses the creative life of writing and teaching, along with the experience of working in poetry and prose, in a new interview with the Los Angeles Review.

15 books from our MFAC faculty and alumni have been chosen as part of the 2018 edition of The Best Children’s Books of the Year from the Children’s Book Committee at the Bank Street Center for Children’s Literature. Congratulations to all!

MFAC faculty Phyllis Root’s latest book, Searching for Minnesota’s Native Wildflowers: A Guide for Beginners, Botanists, and Everyone in Between, is out now from University of Minnesota Press. Congratulations, Phyllis!

The CWP is happy to announce that we have added two new faculty, Elana Arnold and Brandy Colbert, to our faculty. They will be starting with us in July! 

MFAC faculty Ron Koertge’s latest book of poetry, Olympusville, is out now from Red Hen Press. Congratulations, Ron!

Hamline MFAC Faculty Gene Luen Yang talks about writing, teaching, and the MFAC program in a new feature with Cynthia Leitich Smith.

Dread Nation, the highly anticipated new novel from CWP alum Justina Ireland (MFAC ‘17), is out now from HarperCollins. Read more about Justina and Dread Nation at link below.

MFAC faculty and 2017 Newbery Medal-winning author Kelly Barnhill’s collection of short stories and a novella, Dreadful Young Ladies and Other Stories, is out now from Algonquin Books.

The 2018 ALA Awards have been announced and among the winners are MFAC faculty Nina LaCour with the Printz Award, Laurel Snyder with the Geisel Award, and Jackie Briggs Martin has a Sibert Honor book. 

Winterfolk, the debut novel from CWP alum Janel Kolby (MFAC '15), is out now, and with great reviews, from Harper Collins Teen. Congratulations, Janel!

Congratulations to Sarah Ahiers (MFAC '16)  and Caitlin Bailey (MFA '12), both named as finalists for the 30th annual, 2018 Minnesota Book Awards!

Negative Space, a short film by Ru Kuwahata and Max Porter, just received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short. The film is based on a poem by MFAC faculty Ron Koertge.

LOVE, the beautiful new picture book by our very own Newbery Medal-winning MFAC faculty, Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Loren Long, is now available from Putnam Books.

We are thrilled to announce that Meg Medina will be joining the faculty in Hamline's MFAC program! Meg will be a guest in January and will be starting formally in July 2018.

CWP Alum Megan Atwood's second book from the "Orchard" series, Once Upon a Winter, is now available from Aladdin Books (Simon & Schuster).

The CWP is thrilled to add Kelly Barnhill, 2017 Newbery Medal winner for The Girl Who Drank the Moon, to the faculty in our low-res MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program. She will be starting in January 2018.

MFAC faculty Sherri L. Smith's young adult novel Pasadena is the winner of the 2017 Southern California Independent Booksellers Association Book Award, in the Young Adult category. Great work, Sherri!

Congratulations to CWP alum Elizabeth Verdick (MFAC '13) on the publication of her newest picture book, Small Walt, out this week from Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books. Illustrated by Marc Rosenthal. Great work, Elizabeth!

The CWP is thrilled to welcome best-selling YA author Eliot Schrefer to the MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults faculty lineup. Eliot will join us in January 2018.

The Devils You Know, YA debut from Megan Atwood (as M.C. Atwood), MFAC '09, is out today from Soho Teen. NY Library Journal says, "A truly a literary tour-de-force of the supernatural genre, at the same time disturbing, frightening, and fascinating." 

New from Chicago Review Press, Bold Women of Medicine: 21 Stories of Astounding Discoveries, Daring Surgeries, and Healing Breakthroughs, by Susan Latta, MFAC '09. Great work, Susan!

The debut, middle grade novel from CWP alum Melanie Heuiser Hill (MFAC '13), Giant Pumpkin Suite, is out today from Candlewick press. Melanie launched her book, with Pete Hautman, at Red Balloon bookstore earlier this month.

So thrilled to see MFAC faculty Laurel Snyder's beautiful middle grade novel, Orphan Island, is on the long list for the National Book Book Award in Young People's Literature. Congratulations!

Introducing the "mischievous fun" Halloween Goodnight, a picture book by CWP alumna Rebecca Grabill (MFAC '11), new from Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Illustrated by Ella Okstad.

MFAC student celebrating book release and graduation! Blair Thornburgh's YA novel, Who's That Girl is out today (from HarperTeen). Publication party July 12 at Red Balloon Bookshop.

Celebrating its 10th year, the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults (MFAC) boasts an impressive number of award-winning alumni and faculty who are among the most influential writers of young people’s literature in the country.

Superstar, the debut middle grade novel by Mandy Davis (MFAC '11), is new from HarperCollins, with starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus. Publication party June 24 at Addendum Books.

Introducing Thief's Cunning, the companion to Assassin's Heart, by CWP alumna Sarah Ahiers (MFAC '16). Publication reading June 23, 2017, 7 pm, in Kay Fredericks Room at Hamline.

MFAC faculty Laurel Snyder new middle grade novel is out today. Orphan Island is published by Walden Pond Press and receiving great reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus. 

MFAC faculty Laura Ruby's new series debuts today with York: The Shadow Cipher (Book One), from Walden Pond Press. Named one of Publishers Weekly's 'Best Summer Reads of 2017.'

Lemons, the debut middle grade novel from Melissa Savage, MFAC '13, hit the shelves on Tuesday, May 2 with a launch party planned on Saturday, May 13 at Red Balloon Bookshop.

Stars Over Clear Lake, the debut adult novel by Loretta Ellsworth, MFAC '09, launched on May 2, 2017 from St. Martin's Press, with the Minnesota Book Launch Party at Subtext Books on Saturday, May 11.

Laurel Snyder, faculty in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, has a new picture book out: Charlie & Mouse, illustrated by Emily Hughes and published by Chronicle Books.

Winners of the 2017 MN Book Award include two Creative Writing Programs alumni and a Hamline School of Law alumnus. JJ Austrian (MFAC '12) won in Children's Lit for Worm Loves Worm, Brian Farrey (MFA '09) won in Middle Grade Lit for The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse, and Allen Eskens (JD '91) won in the fiction category for The Heavens May Fall.

Tracy Nelson Maurer, MFAC '09, has two new picture book biographies launching Saturday, April 1: John Deere, That's Who! launches at 11 a.m. at Wild Rumpus Bookstore, and the launch of Noah Webster's Fighting Words is at 2 p.m. at Red Balloon Bookstore.

Molly B. Burnham, MFAC '10, has released the third book in the Teddy Mars series: Almost an Outlaw. Teddy goes from record breaker to rule breaker in this conclusion to the hilarious and heartwarming series by the winner of the Fleischman Humor Award.

Brian Farrey '09 MFA was awarded the 2017 McKnight Fellowship in Children's Literature; four Hamline MFA and MFAC faculty and alumnae received honorable mentions in Children's Lit and Creative Prose.

"You can grow your own farm anywhere" is the empowering message of Anywhere Farm (Candlewick Press), the inclusive new picture book from Phyllis Root, faculty in the MFAC.

We Are Okay- the newest book by Nina LaCour, faculty in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults- is out today from Dutton Books with advance praise from Kirkus, Booklist, and more.

Six CWP alums have been named as finalists for the Minnesota Book Awards! Congratulations to J.J. Austrian, Caren Stelson, Brian Farrey, Stephanie Wilbur Ash, and Gretchen Marquette.

Two faculty in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults (MFAC), Nina LaCour and Gary Schmidt, and 2010 alum Christine Heppermann, have books on the Best Fiction for Young Adults List.

Debut books from Hamline Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock ('12) and Caren Stelson ('09) received honors at the American Library Association's midwinter conference.

Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock’s novel, The Smell of Other People's Houses, has been named a 2017 William C. Morris honor book—for a debut novel written for teens in 2016.

Caren Stelson's (MFAC ’09) debut novel, Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story, has been named a 2017 Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book.

Three CWP alums are on Kirkus' Best of 2016 list: Jane O'Reilly (MFAC '09) and Brian Farrey (MFA '12) are listed for Middle Grade, and JJ Austrian (MFAC '12) is listed for picture books.

Carmella Full of Wishes, a picture book by Matt de la Peña (MFAC faculty) and illustrated by Christian Robinson, has been acquired by Jennifer Besser at Putnam. 

We are honored to welcome the extraordinarily talented author, Andrea Davis Pinkney, as the Keynote Speaker for the January 2017 MFAC residency.

Gene Yang, an instructor in the MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults, spoke about the benefits of incorporating comics into the classroom at a TED Talk.

The CWP is pleased to announce the addition of two new writers to the faculty in our low-res MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program: Nina LaCour and Laurel Snyder.

The Toymaker's Apprentice, by Sherri L. Smith, has won the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association Award for Middle Grade.

Release of The Secret of Goldenrod, the middle grade debut from MFAC '09 alum, Jane O’Reilly. Kirkus calls it, “A classic, timeless middle grade debut, full of mystery and magic.”

Caren Stelson, MFAC '09, is on the National Book Award Longlist for Young People's Literature for her debut novel, Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor's Story.

The National Council of Teachers of English honored Matt de la Peña, faculty in Hamline's MFAC, for his courage in standing up for intellectual freedom.

Award-winning author Sherri L. Smith has joined the faculty of the low-residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults (MFAC) Program. Smith is the author of six young adult novels.

Melinda R. Cordell’s (MFAC ’12) debut juvenile nonfiction book, Courageous Women of the Civil War: Soldiers, Spies, Medics, and More, has just been released from Chicago Review Press as part of the ‘Women of Action’ series.

Kirkus interviewed MFAC '13 alum, Daniel Bernstrom, about his recently released debut picture book, One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree, and other upcoming releases.

High school students explore creative writing in a four-day workshop with Hamline faculty in the Creative Writing Programs.

Marsha Wilson Chall, MFAC faculty, is launching her newest picture book, The Secret Life of Figgy Mustardo—published June 7th. Join Marsha for the launch party on the 11th at Red Balloon Bookshop.

Peter Pearson's MFAC ’12 debut picture book, How to Eat an Airplane, is an absurdist guide to eating an airplane without embarrassing yourself. Launch party is June 4th at Flying Cloud airport.

Daniel Bernstrom’s MFAC ’13 debut picture book, One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree, an “amusing and original tale of a plucky little boy who is gobbled up by a giant snake,” is out now from Katherine Tegen Books.

Christine Heppermann MFAC ’10 explores the complexities of being a teenager in her latest young adult novel, Ask Me How I Got Here. The novel in verse is being released May 3 by Greenwillow Books.

Molly Burnham (MFAC '10) won the Sid Fleischman Humor Award for Teddy Mars: Almost a World Record Breaker. 

Gene Yang, instructor for the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, was named the fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress.

Matt de la Peña has won the 2016 John Newbery Medal for his picture book Last Stop on Market Street and Laura Ruby has won the 2016 Michael L. Printz Award for her novel Bone Gap.

Matt de la Peña has won the 2016 John Newbery Medal for his picture book Last Stop on Market Street and Laura Ruby has won the 2016 Michael L. Printz Award for her young adult novel Bone Gap.

New fiction out from CWP / MFA faculty, Angela Pelster-Wiebe.

Bone Gap, by MFAC faculty Laura Ruby, named to the 2015 National Book Awards Shortlist for Young People’s Literature.

Matt de la Peña, MFAC faculty, listed on Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year

MFAC faculty member Laura Ruby’s young adult novel, Bone Gap, has been listed on Publishers Weekly’s Best of the Year List.

Orbiting Jupiter (published by Clarion), the latest middle grade novel by MFAC faculty member, Gary D. Schmidt, has been named to the Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2015.

Four faculty members in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults — Laura Ruby, Emily Jenkins, Gary Schmidt, and Matt de la Peña — have books named to Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2015 List!

The Creative Writing Programs at Hamline launched an online literary publication called Runestone.

Creative Writing Programs Director Mary Rockcastle wins Kay Sexton Award which recognizes individuals who have shown dedication and work in fostering books, reading, and literary activity.

Hamline students and alumni bring writing classes and a sense of hope to inmates through the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop.

Faculty e. lockhart and alum Christine Heppermann (MFAC '10) both have books named to Publisher's Weekly list of best YA books of 2014.

MFAC faculty Gene Luen Yang spoke about the power of comics to reach diverse audiences at the 2014 National Book Festival gala.

CWP faculty members John Brandon (BFA/MFA) and e. lockhart, a.k.a., Emily Jenkins, (MFAC) are both celebrating new releases in fiction.

The Creative Writing Programs are pleased to announce the addition of three new scholarships for students in the low-residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.

Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Children faculty Anne Ursu's The Real Boy won the Seventh Annual Horace Mann Upstanders Book Award.

MFAC faculty Gene Luen Yang's graphic novel masterpiece, Boxers & Saints, won the School Library Journal's 2014 Battle of the Books.

Liza Ketchum's (MFAC) new YA/adult novel, Out of Left Field, will be published this July by Untreed Books.

... "a lovely and sophisticated new middle-grade fantasy that asks readers to wrap their heads around abstractions and accept a lack of absolutes."

Gene Luen Yang, a member of the faculty in the low-residency Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults program, was named one of five finalists for the National Book Award in Young People's Literature.

Five of the eight winners of the 2013 Loft Literary Center Shabo Award are students and alums of the low-residency program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Hamline.

Anne Ursu and Gene Luen Yang named to the 2013 National Book Award Longlist for Young People's Literature

Gene Luen Yang's newest, Boxers & Saints (a two-volume graphic novel project that explores both sides of the Boxer Rebellion), released from First Second Books.

Congratulations to the many Hamline Creative Writing Program students and alums named as Loft Mentor Series winners, finalists, and honorable mentions.

MFAC faculty Emily Jenkins, a.k.a., e. lockhart, was featured on The Narrative Breakdown podcast, talking about going beyond the basics in writing.

Ron Koertge gets the spotlight this week from both Axon Journal and the American Life in Poetry project, including the poem "Burning the Book"

Two CWP alums are nominated for Minnesota Book Awards! Nothing Special, by Geoff Herbach (MFA '06), and Silhouette of a Sparrow. by Molly Beth Griffin (MFAC '09), are both finalists for best young people's literature.

"Koertge is a master at getting to subtle and uncomfortable emotional truths and relaying them in just a few precise lines." Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses is a collection of re-told fairy tales. 

MFAC students/alums Daniel Bernstrom, Kristin Gallagher, Peter Pearson, and Rebecca Stanborough, and MFA alum Charlotte Sullivan, all recipients of The Loft 2012 Shabo Award for Children's Picture book Writers.

CWP alumna Molly Beth Griffin (MFAC, '09) has won the 2012 Milkweed Prize for Children's Literature for Silhouette of a Sparrow. Congratulations, Molly!

In Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses, Ron Koertge, "a much-honored poet and novelist retells, in free verse and from various points of view, twenty-three familiar tales..."

Lies, Knives, and Girls in Red Dresses is a new release from MFAC faculty Ron Koertge (Candlewick, July 2012). This is a book of "fairy tales" told only as they can by Ron Koertge.

Hear Garrison Keilor read Katrina's poems, 'Handwriting Analysis' and 'M', both from her new book of poetry, The Alphabet Not Unlike the World.

Read MFAC faculty Anne Ursu along with July Residency graduation ceremony speaker Chris Crutcher and many others in The Sports Pages, the new edition of the Guys Read short story series.

Gene Yang joins Hamline’s low-residency MFA in writing for children & young adults faculty.

The CWP is developing a new blog site and we're looking at you to help us name it. Submit through the end of June. The winner will receive a shiny new Kindle Touch!

MFAC faculty Laura Ruby speaks on the Hunger Games and writing for the young adult audience.

Award-winning writer and CWP favorite, Scott Russell Sanders, will visit campus Friday, April 20. All students interested in creative nonfiction in general, and/or Scott Russell Sander's work in particular, are invited to meet and engage with him in a discussion of his work and of writing.

 A Secret Keeps is the new picture book from MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults faculty Marsha Wilson Chall. Published by Lerner Publishing Group, Jan 2012.

"Best Ofs" from Amazon, Publisher's Weekly; starred reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, and more. Read the astounding list of honors for Breadcrumbs.

Gary Schmidt's Okay for Now nominated for a National Book Award

 The Creative Writing Programs is happy to announce the addition of four new faculty to our low-residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults faculty: Swati Avasthi, Marilyn Nelson, Gene Yang, Laura Ruby, Gene Yang, and Emily Jenkins

Marsha Wilson Chall's picture book One Pup's Up makes the Texas Library Association's 2x2 Reading list for 2011

MFA in Writing for Children & YA program faculty Anne Ursu's fantasy novel Breadcrumbs is the December pick for NPR's Backseat Book Club.

The latest edition of Water~Stone includes contributions from emerging, mid-career and well-known writers.

Introducing Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight For Women's Suffrage, the newest book by Claire Rudolf Murphy

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) nominates MFAC faculty Ron Koertge and Gary Schmidt, MFA alum Geoff Herbach for best fiction.

School Library Journal reviews Breadcrumbs, the much anticipated forthcoming fantasy novel by MFAC faculty, Anne Ursu.

Some of the best known writers of children's books and young adult novels will be at Hamline in July. The public is invited to attend free readings by the authors.

MFA students start nonfiction blog – Join the discussion!

Introducing Frozen Stiff, the eighth installment of the Claire Watkins mystery series, by Mary Logue

Some of the best authors of literature for young people are sharing their creations through free public events January 7-16, 2011 at Hamline.

Some of the best authors of literature for young people are sharing their creations through free public events July 9-18.

Hamline University is pleased to invite the public to meet renowned author, speaker, and activist Terry Tempest Williams; she will keynote the university’s annual Mahle Lecture in Progressive Christian Thought "Finding Beauty in a Broken World."

Come to Hamline University for free book readings by children’s authors from around the country.