Laura Farmer

Academic History

MFA in Creative Writing, Syracuse University, 2006.
BA in Religion and Creative Writing, Coe College, 2002.
Study abroad experience: National University of Ireland, Maynooth; Charles University, Prague; Sisai Language School, Quetzaltenango.

Creative Work

Catch and Release: a novel. North Dakota State University Press, 2024.
Direct Connection: stories and a novella. Bridge Eight Press, 2024.
"Beep Beep" in Bridge Eight. Fall 2022.
"Freedom" in Quarter After Eight. Spring 2022.
"Direct Connection" in Bridge Eight. Spring 2021.
"As a Man" in Crab Creek Review. Fall 2016.
"A Lesson in Geography" in The North American Review. Spring 2016.
"The Time Between Seasons" in The Antioch Review. Summer 2015.
"Believers" in Hunger Mountain. Fall 2014. Nominated for a 2016 Pushcart Prize.
"Names" in Stone Canoe. Winter 2014.
"Where My Father Lives Now" in The Chariton Review. Spring 2014.
"Elephant" in The Summerset Review. Summer 2013.
"Listen" in South Dakota Review. Summer 2013.
"Rootedness" in Camas. Winter 2012. Called "a solid coming of age story," and "a powerful work of short fiction," by New Pages.
"Christmas Eve" in The Iowa Review. Winter 2005. Featured on the Huffington Post in December 2013 as one of "The 12 Weirdest Stories of Christmas."

Criticism:

Interviewer. The Gazette. Fall 2012 – Present. Published interviews with authors from Iowa and with Iowa ties. Prior to 2020, also interviewed authors from around the world, including Reza Aslan, Asja Bakić, Jamel Brinkely, Angela Flores, Peter Kimani, Carmen Maria Machado, and Markus Zusak.
Book Critic. The Gazette. Fall 2012-Fall 2019. Published over 300 weekly book reviews for The Gazette. Focused on international authors, recently translated works, and/or books from small presses. Covered local literary events.
Review: Justin Torres’ We The Animals.” The Kenyon Review. Spring 2012.

Fellowships and Scholarships community:

Writing Center community:

Chair, Midwest Writing Centers Association. Spring, 2016 – 2018. Board member since 2014.
Conference Chair, Midwest Writing Centers Association. Summer 2014 – Spring 2016. Coordinate all efforts for the MWCA biannual conference, with anticipated attendance of 300+ professionals. Direct all conference efforts, from establishing and maintaining partnerships with the conference center and vendors, to coordinating efforts of a variety of MWCA players, to reviewing proposals, creating conference materials, and ensuring a smooth, meaningful three-day event.

English teacher (juniors and seniors). Manlius Pebble Hill School, DeWitt, NY.
Fiction instructor. Downtown Writer’s Center, YMCA, Syracuse, NY.
Writing instructor. Onondaga Nation Elementary School, Onondaga Nation.
Writing instructor. Syracuse University.
Assistant House Manager. Big Apple Circus.