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Writers series showcases Southwest faculty work

Languages and Literature Faculty Creative Writing Showcase featured the poetry and short story work of (l to r) Jerome Wilson, Ryan Stembridge, Daniel Gillespie, Susanna Jackson and Terry Ansbro.

Languages and Literature Faculty Creative Writing Showcase featured the poetry and short story work of (l to r) Jerome Wilson, Ryan Stembridge, Daniel Gillespie, Susanna Jackson and Terry Ansbro.

The Languages and Literature Department did not have to search very far for contributing authors for its fall semester writers showcase. Instead of inviting a visiting noted author to read his or her work, the department decided to stay closer to home this semester and showcase some of its own creative writers.

Held Nov. 25 in the Farris Auditorium, the 2019 Languages and Literature Faculty Creative Writing Showcase featured the writings of Southwest faculty Terry Ansbro, Daniel Gillespie, Susanna Jackson, Ryan Stembridge and Jerome Wilson who read selections of their poetry and short stories.

Associate Professor of English Doug Branch, who coordinates the series, said this is the first time they have featured the work of their own faculty. “It’s very cool and I hope we do it more often,” Branch said. “We have a multi-talented department.”

Instructor Susanna Jackson read from her debut novel, “The Growing Rock,” which tells the story of a 14 -year-old girl living in Tennessee during the Great Depression, and a published short story called “Lunch Break,” which deals with eating disorders. Both works have characters who must deal with mental health issues, a topic of particular interest to her. Jackson has battled depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder. “The mother (in The Growing Rock) goes through a lot of depression,” Jackson said. “And I wrote “Lunch Break” to help raise awareness of an issue close to my heart.”

Instructor Ryan Stembridge read his story “The Void,” a science fiction tale about a mysterious hole that appears in the floor of the main character’s bedroom. Stembridge said he grew up reading mostly science fiction and fantasy, but ironically did not have a chance to write either of those genres while he was working on his MFA degree. “They take fantasy out of an MFA program so you can focus on character,” Stembridge said. “So I had to reeducate myself. The fantasy element simply adds a way to have a big something in it.”

About 40 students attended the showcase.  Branch said that the event was a great opportunity for students to hear the work of their professors, who are also writers, and ask questions. “The event raised the students' appreciation of what we teach in our classroom and what they stand to learn.” 

Susanna Jackson reads selections from her work.

Susanna Jackson reads selections from her work.

Ryan Stembridge reads selections from his work.

Ryan Stembridge reads selections from his work.