Twelve lucky graduating Creative Writing seniors spent a whirlwind 2-day weekend with professors Caleb Johnson, Mark Powell, and Zackary Vernon, exploring New York City’s literary world, which included visits with editors and agents at the prestigious W.W. Norton publishing house; the Creative Artists Agency; the New York Public Library and the iconic Strand bookstore.
Additionally, students got to sit down with Emily Nemens and Kayla Rae Whitaker, two of the department’s favorite past participants in the Visiting Writers Series. Whitaker and Nemens discussed various craft techniques and their latest work, which, for Nemens, included her new book, “Clutch,” the release of which coincided with the students’ arrival and a consequent invitation to attend its launch party (a party with an epic spread of food).
“They brought us plates of – I will call them fancy peanut butter and jelly, and fancy grilled cheese,” Powell said. “But they also brought us individual charcuterie boards of cheese and meat. I think they were meant for the tables, but we were there so early, they gave one to each of us.”
Students and staff stayed at App State’s New York Loft, which is located a block from Madison Square Park and features two rooms with ten bunks in each; a personal bedroom that sleeps four people; four shared bathrooms; kitchen; living room, and communal desk space. The trip came about after Johnson made an off-handed comment about what a shame it was not to take students to meet some of New York’s literati when they can stay there for free. Powell and Vernon agreed and set the plan in motion. In addition to meeting with agents, editors, and writers, the itinerary also included free time to explore New York’s bustling, food-famous Chinatown; the Broadway district; Rangers Stadium, and the Stonewall Inn, site of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which led to the gay liberation movement and is a touchstone in the current fight for LGBTQI+ rights.
Powell said getting to know the students better and learn about them and their interests was one of the highlights of the trip.
“I think students get a bad rap for being inarticulate because they’re glued to their phones and that’s just simply not true,” Powell said. “The more time I spend with them, the more I realize they’re thoughtful, interesting people that want to go out in the world and do things.”
By all measures, the trip was a success with Powell describing it as a “wonderfully broadening experience” and “a lot of fun.”
A Fall trip is in the works so if you're a Creative Writing major and interested in going, reach out to the organizers and stay tuned for details.
by Ethan Atwood
Photo of students and faculty in NYC posing with Kayla Rae Whitaker
