I owe a great deal to the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature for fostering a

community where creativity and risk-taking are encouraged, and where my writing has flourished. I have twice received the honor of SSML’s Paul Somer’s Prize for Creative Prose (“Raised in a Corn Palace” in 2009 and “Fella With an Umbrella: Finding Joy on the Autism Spectrum” in 2010), both of which were subsequently published in MidAmerica.

SSML’s annual Writing the Midwest: A Symposium of Scholars and Writers is, quite simply, a feast of words, and has become for me a sustaining force.

SSML is always looking for new voices and new members, so check us out on Facebook and make plans to join us in East Lansing for the 2016 Symposium!