Last month, ahead of the Blue Demon Challenge, alumna Anna Sortino (MAWP ’19) visited DePaul for a Q&A with graduates in the MFA and MAWP program. The visit was recorded for the Blue Demon Challenge, where Anna discussed her time at DePaul, what led her to writing in the YA genre, any advice she has for current students in the program, and so much more. Check out the full video below, and if you missed the interview we did with Anna last month as part of her visit, you can read it here.
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After Anna Sortino graduated from DePaul’s MAWP program in 2019, she applied for a publishing mentorship program called Pitch Wars (which is now defunct) and was picked by renowned YA author Aiden Thomas. At the time, the program was encouraging authors to write stories inspired by their own lives and identities, which ultimately pushed Sortino to write stories centered with disabled characters living their lives and falling in love. She has published two YA books—Give Me A Sign (2023 via Penguin Random House) and On The Bright Side (2024 via Penguin Random House)—with another set… Read Article →
Libby Kalmbach Clark, an alumna of the MAWP program at DePaul University, published her essay Borders as Fiction in Witness, a magazine of the Black Mountain Institute. Libby is a nonfiction writer and a legal representative at the National Immigrant Justice Center. Her work has appeared in Electric Literature, Ascent, and the Prairie Schooner blog. She lives and works in Chicago. For more information, visit her website here.
Join Rebecca Johns-Trissler’s Novels II class on Thursday, January 15th at 6 p.m. in room 301 ALH for an author visit by Anna Sortino (MAWP ’19). Anna is the author of three YA novels published by Penguin Teen: Give Me a Sign (2023), On the Bright Side (2024), and Stops Along the Way (forthcoming in May 2026), which have been honored by starred reviews from such places as Kirkus and Publishers Weekly and “Best Book of the Year” from more places. She is also working on an adult title next. Please note that this event… Read Article →
Last year, Avery Cunningham (MAWP ‘16) released her debut novel The Mayor of Maxwell Street via Disney/Hyperion. “The year is 1921, and America is burning. A fire of vice and virtue rages on every shore, and Chicago is its beating heart,” the book states. The novel follows a Black debutante who hires a low-level speakeasy manager to uncover the head of an underground crime syndicate, against the backdrop of Prohibition-era Chicago. We chatted with Cunningham about the extensive historical research the book required, what inspired her to write the story, her experience in editorial for… Read Article →
In 2022, Caroline Macon Fleischer (MFA ‘20) released her debut novel The Roommate, a work she started as a graduate student at DePaul for her MFA thesis. Fleischer is a writer, editor, and theatremaker, and teaches creative writing at Loyola University. Her second novel, A Play About A Curse, is set for release on October 21, 2025, via CLASH Books. We sat down to chat about the upcoming release and its key inspirations, writing processes, her time at DePaul and background in theatre, and what advice she has for students. This interview has been edited for clarity… Read Article →
On Sunday, October 5, Avery Cunningham (MAWP ’16) will be at the Maxwell Street Market from 12-1 p.m. for a discussion around the history of Chicago’s Maxwell Street Market, and the role it plays in her debut novel The Mayor of Maxwell Street (Disney/Hyperion 2024). Books will be available to purchase from Da Book Joint, and Avery will be signing books on site!
The photos are in! Click here to view the photos from Friday’s Spring English Conference & Celebration! (And thanks again to everyone who attended, presented, and/or participated in this special annual event!)
Happy Monday, everyone! First, a huge thank you to everyone who attended our Spring English Conference & Celebration last Friday! We were excited to see so many students, alumni, friends, and family supporting our panelists and our award recipients. From the writing and accomplishments of English BA and MA students, to Prof. Mark Turcotte’s recent appointment as Illinois Poet Laureate, to the completion of MFA students’ theses, there was so much to celebrate! We’d also like to thank everyone who participated in our conference—especially our student panelists, who presented insightful literary analyses and meaningful creative… Read Article →
Join us Friday, May 16, for the English Department’s biggest event of the year—our Spring English Conference & Celebration! In addition to presentations from Literary Studies and Creative Writing student panelists, this event will also feature a networking opportunity and career discussion with DePaul English alumni, work from MFA students, and an awards ceremony where high-achieving English students will be recognized with certificates. (There will also be a celebration cake, morning refreshments, and a buffet-style lunch!) Scroll down to view our full schedule of events and other conference materials! What is the Spring English Conference?… Read Article →
Good afternoon, everyone! First, we’d like to remind everyone that our next Visiting Author event, with Nico Lang, will be held tonight from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in SAC 154. (This reading is open to the public; snacks will also be provided!) Nico will give a reading and talk on their recent book, American Teenager. In addition to being an award-winning author, reporter, and editor, Nico is also one of our DePaul alumni! (Click here for the flier with full details.) And speaking of alumni—we’re excited to announce our alumni panelists for the department’s Spring… Read Article →
Good afternoon, everyone—and happy first day of spring! For our next Visiting Author event, join us in welcoming Nico Lang back to campus for a reading and talk on their recent book, American Teenager! In addition to being an award-winning author, reporter, and editor, Nico is also one of our DePaul alumni. This reading is open to the public and will be held on Wednesday, April 23 (6:00–7:30 PM) in Rm. 154 of the SAC. Read the flier below for full details!