Over 20 years ago, Iowa State University’s creative writing program wanted to elevate its Master of Arts program to a Master of Fine Arts, but the University of Iowa was already home to one of the most acclaimed MFA programs in the country.
Iowa State University created something different — an MFA program focused on creative writing and the environment. On this episode, we mark the 20th anniversary of ISU's Creative Writing and Environment MFA program with professor Debra Marquart. We discuss the literary journal that predated it, the Flyway Journal of Writing and the Environment, with founding editor Steve Pett. We also hear from Zara Chowdhary, a graduate of the program and assistant professor of English at the University of Iowa, and Charissa Menefee and Claire Boyles who teach in the program.
The 20th anniversary will be marked at the annual Home Voices Festival, a celebration of the publication of new books by writers with ties to the Creative Writing Program. The event will be held Oct. 9, with events from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m at KHOI Community Radio.
Guests:
- Debra Marquart, distinguished professor, Iowa State University, senior editor, Flyway Journal of Writing and Environment
- Steve Pratt, founding editor, Flyway Journal of Writing and Environment, co-founder, Creative Writing and Environment MFA program
- Zara Chowdhary, assistant professor of English, University of Iowa, graduate, ISU Creative Writing and Environment MFA program
- Charissa Menefee, playwright and poet, professor emerita, Iowa State University
- Claire Boyles, assistant professor of creative writing and environment, Iowa State University, author of Appraisals
