March 2025 Alumni Updates
The Drexel MFA Alumni Association promotes the writing arts while supporting graduates of our program and the broader literary community through social events, writing workshops, and retreats.
Bring on the rainy weather!
May the April showers help you sit down, relax, and get some writing time. Keep reading to see what we have in store these next several weeks!
In the alumni newsletters, we aim to give you upcoming ways to connect and engage with the community. We will send a newsletter towards the end of each month so we can all stay on top of what’s happening in our community.
With the newsletter, we will also celebrate the successes of everyone in our alumni community, big and small. Either add a comment below or reply in the Substack chat to the writing successes thread. We’ll compile all the accomplishments each month and feature them in our next newsletter!
Upcoming Events
Sunday, April 6th @ 7 PM EST: Craft Chat with J’nell Ciesielski
With novels like The Socialite, Beauty Among Ruins, and The Ice Swan, J’nell Ciesielski is known for weaving sweeping historical romances filled with rich detail, heart-pounding tension, and unforgettable love stories.
In this session, J’nell will share her approach to crafting compelling romance, building immersive historical settings, and developing characters that leap off the page. She’ll also discuss her writing process, insights into the romance genre, and tips for balancing history and heart in storytelling.
Don’t miss this chance to learn from a master of historical romance! Join us on April 6th at 7 PM EST.
Tuesday, April 15th @ 6 PM EST: Poetry Open Mic Night
We are proud to once again partner with the Drexel MFA Alumni Association for another Open Mic Night here at Barnes & Noble Philadelphia on Tuesday, April 15th at 6pm!
To celebrate National Poetry Month, we are asking our writers to submit works of poetry!
If you are a writer interested in reading your work, please email your submission to drexelmfaevents@gmail.com.
We ask that the subject line read "Open Mic Event Submission" and that you include the following in your email: your name, phone number, email address, and the material you plan to read.
Readings must be kept under three minutes, and must be appropriate for audience members of all ages.
Submit soon, as spots are limited!
We encourage all readers and attendees to register for a ticket through Eventbrite
2025 Highlights Retreat Information
Connect and write with your fellow dragons during one of the Highlights Retreats! See below for registration links for 2025:
April 3-6, 2025 (only one accommodation left—register ASAP!)
Looking forward to eating, writing, and exploring with you!
For any questions, contact Mo (‘23) at ms.clark70@comcast.net or Rylee (‘23) at ryleecella@gmail.com.
Book Club
Thank you to everyone that showed up for the recent book club with Hank Phillippi Ryan!
Stay tuned for more details on our next book club adventure.
Critique Groups
Polish your manuscript, scripts, queries, blog posts, and pitches with the help of Drexel MFA Alumni’s critique group. Join and receive helpful feedback from fellow alumni who are ready to connect and collaborate with you in a supportive and inspiring environment. If you are interested in joining our asynchronous online critique group, please email andrew.snover@drexel.edu or keli.b.oconnor@gmail.com.
We have also recently added a new critique group for Fantasy! If interested, contact Skylar Fountain at skylarnfountain@gmail.com.
Writing Meet-ups
Come on over to Writing Meet-ups! Writing Meet-ups is a mostly virtual coffee/tea grind-sesh run by a few alumni friends. We Zoom, write, and crank out new narratives for the duration of the meet-up.
Craft Chats & Workshops on Crafting Compelling Fiction
With our Craft Chats and Workshops, you will sharpen your writing skills, continue learning, and gain insights into the craft of storytelling! What to expect:
Insider insights on publishing and writing
Author interviews for inspiration
Interactive workshops on crafting compelling fiction
Inspiration for your writing journey
Interactive Q&A Sessions
We have a bunch of craft chats on tap for the spring including:
April 6, 2025 at 7PM EST: Join us for a Craft Chat with bestselling historical romance author J’nell Ciesielski on April 6th at 7 PM EST! With novels like The Socialite, Beauty Among Ruins, and The Ice Swan, J’nell Ciesielski is known for weaving sweeping historical romances filled with rich detail, heart-pounding tension, and unforgettable love stories. In this session, J’nell will share her approach to crafting compelling romance, building immersive historical settings, and developing characters that leap off the page. She’ll also discuss her writing process, insights into the romance genre, and tips for balancing history and heart in storytelling. Don’t miss this chance to learn from a master of historical romance!
May 4, 2025 at 7PM EST: Join us on May 4th at 7 PM EST for a Drexel MFA Alumni Craft Chat featuring USA Today bestselling author Jenni L. Walsh. With over twelve books for adults and children, Jenni’s works span from gripping historical fiction (Becoming Bonnie, Unsinkable, The Call of the Wrens) to inspiring middle-grade stories (I Am Defiance, Over and Out). Her passion lies in bringing history to life with vivid storytelling and unforgettable characters.
In this chat, Jenni will discuss her publishing journey, writing craft, and the unique challenges of writing across genres and for different audiences. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to gain insights from a versatile and accomplished author!
Craft Chat: Resources and Writing Advice from Drexel MFA Alumni
This site is a hub for writers to share advice, resources, and information. Submit resources or articles on publishing/craft directly to the publication on Medium.
Introducing the Craft Chat Chronicles Podcast!
Hosted by Drexel MFA alum J.D. Myall, Craft Chat Chronicles features inspiring and insightful conversations with authors, agents, and publishing professionals. These interviews dive deep into the writing process, revision, debut journeys, and how to thrive in today’s publishing world.
Created to uplift the voices of Drexel’s MFA alumni and highlight the strength of our writing community, this podcast is perfect for students, writers, and book lovers alike. Whether you're revising your thesis or dreaming up your next big project, there's something here for you.
The podcast launches on March 29!
Listen on Spotify, Apple, or anywhere podcasts are streamed.
Watch full video episodes on YouTube.
Let’s celebrate the power of story and the Drexel MFA family—please listen, share, and spread the word!
Black Writers Circle
Black Writers Circle (BWC) is back! We’re back with a renewed dedication to celebrating Black creativity and storytelling while driving positive change in our society. Join us for exciting Zoom meetings and in-person meet-ups where we explore the rich world of Black literature and writing. Don’t miss out—contact Angel Hogan at angelhogan@gmail.com to join the BWC community!
Reasons to Celebrate
Success in the Drexel MFA Alumni Community:
J.D. (Keyana) Myall’s (‘22) debut novel, Heart’s Gambit, will launch February 3, 2026! Book two in the series is scheduled to follow the next year. Myall has also joined the Neighborhood Literary as a Literary Assistant. Congrats on your novel and your new role!
Want your win featured in the next newsletter? Comment below or reply to the Writing Successes thread in the Substack chat.
Share Your Drexel Memories!
We’re celebrating our incredible MFA alumni community, and we need your help! Do you have photos or videos from graduation, alumni open mic nights, writing retreats, residencies, or author events? We’re gathering memories to feature on our upcoming social media platforms, and we’d love to showcase your favorite moments!
Send us your photos and videos—whether it’s a snapshot of your time at Drexel, a cherished residency memory, a throwback to an open mic night, or highlights from your author events.
Are you a published author? Share your book covers, event promotions, and social-media-ready posts about your work so we can highlight your achievements!
We also want to hear from you! How has your MFA experience shaped your writing journey? Share your reflections, lessons learned, or words of wisdom with fellow alumni and aspiring writers.
Send your submissions to jdmyall@gmail.com to be part of the Drexel MFA alumni showcase!
Let’s come together to celebrate our stories, our successes, and our shared history. We can’t wait to feature your memories!
Calling all Creatives!
Your alumni association is seeking photographers, videographers, editors, and writers to bring their artistry to our events and online platforms. Join our team and make a lasting impression in our community.
Are you ready to showcase your talents and create something amazing? Get in touch! Contact J.D. Myall at jdmyall@gmail.com. Let's collaborate and make magic happen!
Resources
Drexel MFA Resources
Ink Dragon Discord: A community hosted on Discord for fantasy writers at all stages of their writing.
Craft Chat Podcast: A podcast featuring inspiring and insightful conversations with authors, agents, and publishing professionals.
Drexel MFA Alumni GroupMe: A community for all Drexel MFA alumni.
Graduate Career Counseling: As a Drexel alum, you can set up a meeting with one of our career counselors. They can go over your CV with you and give you suggestions about conducting a job search.
Professional Resources
The Author's Guild: Offers services for writers such as legal services, web services, educational events, and other resources.
Publisher Marketplace: Service offered to paid members to research agents and follow deal trends.
QueryTracker: FREE resource for writers to find agents for their books.
Manuscript Wish List: A resource for writers to look at what agents are looking for
Contests/Submissions
LOVENOTES: Submit stories to be considered for the next edition of LoveNotes! Real Stories. Real People. Real Love. America’s Best Love Stories & More. This project - inspired by the Off-Broadway Storytelling Production of Heather Christie Books and published by NY-based 71st Street Books compiles tales of love in all of its romantic incarnations with thoughtful Journal Prompts, Inspiring Quotes, and Fun Puzzles.
Deadlines for Writers hosts free competitions (including 12 short stories in 12 months with prompts and word count requirements) and free classes.
Oh! I forgot to send this last time, but my debut novel Rehoming Breanna Huxley comes out September 9, 2025 (Green Crow).