Laura Farmer

Academic History

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

Creative Work

Catch and Release. Forthcoming.
"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:

Book Critic. The Gazette. Fall 2013-present. Write over 200 reviews and interview more than 50 authors. Specialize in reviewing works in translation, from small presses, and by underrepresented authors.
Review: Justin Torres’ We The Animals.” The Kenyon Review. Spring 2012.
Review: Nellie Hermann’s The Cure for Grief.” Dossier Journal. Fall 2008.

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.

Fellowships and Scholarships community:

Asterisks (*) indicates undergraduate presenters:

3-hour opening workshop: “Who’s got the power, and where does it come from? Renewing our approach to conference dynamics.” Authors: S. Donahoo*, J. Freeman*, E. Andrulis*, K. Morton*, H. Robertson*, P. Catchings*, and E. Khalimonova*. Midwest Writing Centers Association Conference. Cedar Rapids, 2016
Poster: “Balancing Responsibilities and Building Campus Partnerships in Fellowships Advising.” Coauthors: Mary Swanson and Dr. Jayashree Shivamoggie. National Association of Fellowship Advisors Conference. Oakland, 2015
Individual presentation: "Promoting the Writing Studio through two community-building initiatives: The Writer's Circle and The Interview Project." Authors: S. Altan-Ochir*, S. Donahoo*, T. VanderGaast*. Iowa Writing Center Consortium. Ames, 2015.
Workshop: “Como se Dice? Foreign Language Conferences in the Writing Center.” Authors: A. Engel*, L. De Jonge*, L. Farmer. Midwest Writing Center Association Conference. Skokie, IL. Fall 2013.
Individual Presentation: “Professional Writing in the Writing Center: How Writing Centers can prepare students (and consultants!) for life after college.” Midwest Writing Center Association Conference. Skokie, IL. Fall 2013.
Individual Presentation: “Writing Beyond the Classroom: Joining Forces with the Career Engagement Center.” Iowa Writing Center Consortium. Upper Iowa University. Spring 2013.

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.