When Eastern's Creative Writing Program was named one of the university's three centers of excellence a little over a year ago, there was no need to convince MFA alumni that the honor was well deserved.

Excerpts From the MFA Alumni Works (left-side bar)
Connye Miller on The Local Planet

"Being accepted to Eastern's MFA program was the best thing that could've happened to me," says Jon Billman, a 1996 graduate of the program. "The MFA program punches stereotypical workshop schools right in the nose– there's nothing 'cookie cutter' about it."

Billman, a resident of Kemmerer, Wyoming, recently had his book of short stories, When We Were Wolves, published by Random House. And he is just one of hundreds of MFA graduates to have their writing appear in literary journals, popular consumer magazines and newspapers, not to mention books published by a variety of publishing houses nationwide.

"I think part of the reason for the Center of Excellence designation," says Christopher Howell, visiting associate professor of creative writing, "is that components of our program transcend the regionality of the university."

Students in the program routinely represent a wide geographic diversity, as well as a real mix of urban/rural backgrounds. The faculty hail from all regions of the country, and graduating students generally spread out across the nation far and wide as they pursue their craft.

"We offer an unusual program," agrees John Keeble, a professor of creative writing at EWU since 1973. "We are a studio program with a strict literary curriculum, and we offer internships with Willow Springs, our literary magazine, and with the University Press. That's unique, as is our concentration on thesis work and the level of investment made by our faculty in our students."

Recently, when approving Eastern's MFA program for acceptance into its Western Regional Graduate Program, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education offered these positive comments about the program:

"Clearly, Eastern Washington University has a very strong and established MFA program. The number of applications for graduate study testify to its reputation, as do the prestigious awards its alumni and faculty have garnered. The curricula is well-developed and -rounded; the inclusion of non-fiction as a thesis emphasis is significant, as the job opportunities for non-fiction writers are growing."

The MFA Program at Eastern began in 1977, with four or five students graduating the following year. Since that time, the program has attempted to create a haven where students can explore their individual talents while expanding their vision of writing, publishing and teaching.

The intensive, two-year course of study emphasizes the practice of literature as fine art. Students study both classic and contemporary literature in terms of their composition and history, but the principal work is done in advanced workshops and in the actual writing of a book-length thesis of publishable quality in fiction, creative nonfiction or poetry.

"I think the MFA is so excellent because it is such a private degree," says Jennifer Oakes, a professional editor who received her degree in 1995. "It would be silly to get it for the sake of monetary ambition or worldly recognition. One gets it privately. And its joys are private ones. I feel like I have done something right, something big for myself because of that degree."

As she notes, the Master's Program is deliberately small and personal in its approach to teaching. Just 15 to 20 students graduate each year, but their impact on the writing world is measurable after they depart the program.

Graduate accomplishments include published books with presses including Yale University, University of Texas, St. Martin's, Copper Canyon, Sierra Club Books, Gallery, Daedalus, Simon and Schuster and Putnam. Short work has appeared in journals such as Hawaii Review, Poetry Northwest, Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times Magazine, Chariton Review and many others.

"The Creative Writing Program at Eastern provided me with individual attention that I don't believe I could have received elsewhere," says Derrick Jensen, a 1991 graduate of the program. Jensen's recently published book of nonfiction, A Language Older then Words, was published by Context Books.

One of the most critical and popular elements of the program is its required 20 credits of workshops, in which students share their writing and all works are critiqued by the group.

"The workshops are great because you get feedback from 10-15 people on every poem, every week, not just from one professor," says Scott Poole, a 1998 MFA graduate and currently associate director of the EWU Press. "You quickly begin to discern what works and what doesn't. Instead of squashing my style, I think it made it more powerful and unique than ever. These workshops are for the serious writer. Every week you need to bring a new poem or story, every week expose yourself to your peers. It's nervewracking but also very rewarding when something works. It gave me the tools to deal with the harsh realities of the publishing world."

Writing workshops are purposely small and allow students to hone their skills through instructor and peer feedback. The chance to revise and then submit works a second time at workshops allows a student to judge the progress he or she is making on a selection of writing.

"I had clarity issues with my writing," says Almeda Miler, a Canadian MFA graduate '99, who now teaches first and second year creative writing at Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson, British Columbia, as well as first year composition at Selkirk College in Castlegar, B.C. "John Keeble walked me through these issues with great compassion, something I have tried to apply to my own style of teaching. Keeble inspired in me a much deeper and more profound way than I could have ever anticipated and I am continually applying his philosophies, many of the reading materials, even my lecture notes to my own teaching of the craft."

The MFA program also provides a chance for students to learn from successful writers at special workshops which have in the past featured such well-known writers as Russell Banks, Rick Bass, Madeline DeFrees and George Garrett. MFA students are given the chance to give public readings of their works and share their love of writing with the community through such activities as Get Lit, a writing festival, and the Writers in the Community Program, in which MFA students visit schools, correctional facilities, shelters and community organizations as volunteer teachers.

One exciting offshoot of the MFA program is an increase in many cultural and media ventures in Spokane and other Northwest locations.

"I think what gives me the greatest satisfaction," says Keeble, "is that when I came here 20 some years ago, there were just a handful of writers in Spokane. Now, in large part due to the program here, everywhere you look there are writers."

Auntie's Bookstore in Spokane routinely brings in noted authors from around the country to do readings and book signings. Recently, notes Keeble, four authors in one month read at Auntie's and all were former EWU MFA students.

What are some of Eastern's MFA alumni doing? Many are working on novels and other major projects and preparing for submission. And most still appreciate the support they get from their fellow graduates.

"Early in the program," says Almeda Miller, "I was able to identify key individuals– other MFA students– who read my work in the way I needed them to read it. I have maintained those relationships beyond the MFA program and use them mercilessly with draft after draft of my first novel which I believe is in its final stages of revision - in fact, I was in Spokane this last weekend meeting with Jill Malone, a fellow student, who continues to push my work beyond my wildest dreams."

Many students have used their degrees to start businesses or found literary events. In Spokane, The Local Planet is an alternative newspaper owned and managed by two 1998 EWU MFA alumni, Matt Spaur and Connye Miller. Several other graduates write for them. Heliotrope, a local poetry magazine, is owned and operated by Tom Gribble, a 1999 graduate. Christine Holbert, '97, and Scott Poole, '98, started the Get Lit literary celebration, and it now receives more than $15,000 in annual funding from Arts Organizations. Gumball Poetry in Portland was started by Laura Moulton, '97, and is a widely successful Internet poetry magazine. It features "Gumball Machines" in cafes and bookstores all over the west that dispense a gumball and poem in a plastic capsule. Other graduates are working as editors and writers for universities, corporations and on their own as freelancers.

"I think there are a lot of ways to develop as a writer," says Juliet Skuldt, '97, managing editor of the University of Wisconsin Press in Madison. "But, I don't think many other venues offer the kind of intense, focused setting to work on one's art that an MFA program does. Having access to mature and accomplished writers on the faculty and being surrounded by peers who are all pursuing similar goals provide an environment for creativity and an opportunity for useful critique that would be difficult, if not impossible, to replicate elsewhere."

"I never once, not once, had any regrets about my experience at EWU," says Almeda Miler," and when I become famous and rich because I have finally written the great Canadian novel under the guidance of some American insurrectionists, I will definitely mention EWU as a great, fantastic dream I once had."

I started The Local Planet because I love excellent writing. I have a deep passion for well-written prose. I wanted to create a publication that readers couldn't resist. I know, from my days in EWU's MFA program, that this area possesses a wealth of extremely talented writers and I wanted to create a forum for that talent.

However, now that I have worked as an editor in this community for the last seven months, I recognize the need for a truly independent, alternative press. While my goal of providing readers with the best writing I can find has not changed, my goal has grown to include keeping The Local Planet independent or providing readers with an independent, alternative voice. I believe it is important for a community to have a vital, independent press committed to printing a wide range of diverse voices not usually seen in the mainstream media. As an editor I am committed to finding those marginalized voices and points of view and presenting them to readers in an effort to stimulate thought and discussion. However, we don't take ourselves too seriously in The Local Planet newsroom. My hope is that readers will at least chuckle when they sit down during a coffee break to read us.

We have much respect for humor, and perhaps, little respect for traditional journalism. Readers should recognize our irreverent tone. In Walden, Thoreau wrote, "always the first person is speaking." I believe that. Like many modern readers that grew up with the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, I learned to question what I read. I'm suspicious of traditional third-person journalism. I want writers to be present in their narration and reveal to me their biases, so I can ferret out my own truth. This is the kind of writing one finds in The Local Planet.

While the Spokesman Review is a paper of record, The Local Planet is a paper of reflection. Technology is changing our world. People have much less time to read. The Internet is becoming folk's primary news source. Yet, I don't think people will give up holding newsprint in their fingers. I believe that the future of publishing is in the alternative newsweekly. People are looking for intelligent, entertaining comment on their world. My hope is that The Local Planet can provide readers with the quality writing they crave, and meanwhile, provide local writers and editors real jobs.

During grad school at Eastern I watched talented writers have to leave the area to find work. I believed I would too if I wanted to be employed in publishing. The Local Planet currently provides 15 jobs. Five of us are from Eastern Washington University. We hope to grow into a company that employs more locally educated folks. Additionally, most of our freelance writers are from EWU.

Are you an EWU alum whose writing has been published? Let us know. Email us at ewualum@mail.ewu.ewu, call us at 1-888-EWU-ALUM (local - 359-6303) or write to EWU Alumni Relations, 127 Hargreaves, 526 5th Street, Cheney WA 99004-2413

Excerpts
from
MFA
Alumni
Works

The Friend Who Went Crazy

He began to talk slow, and his friends would listen to the delicious words intently lengthening out until finally they would leave for the kitchen, make pancakes, and return to sit in front of him as if he were the old wooden radio they'd never had. He was happy that they ate while he talked and his words became sweet and thick till he could hardly lift them from the long depth of his throat. Finally, his lips began to crust over with a heavy liquid, and his friends were shocked until they realized he had graciously become syrup, and they poured it on their pancakes and always thought of him fondly.

Scott Poole
from The Cheap Seats

Lost Horse Press

Excerpt: A Language Older than Words

"There is a language older by far and deeper than words. It is the language of bodies, of body on body, wind on snow, rain on trees, wave on stone. It is the language of dream, gesture, symbol, memory. We have forgotten this language. We do not even remember that it exists."

"In order for us to maintain our way of living, we must, in a broad sense, tell lies to each other, and especially to ourselves. It is not necessary that the lies be particularly believable. The lies act as barriers to truth. These barriers to truth are necessary because without them many deplorable acts would become impossibilities. Truth must at all costs be avoided. When we do allow self-evident truths to percolate past our defenses and into our consciousness, they are treated like so many hand grenades rolling across the dance floor of an improbably macabre party."

by Derrick Jensen

Published by Context Press