May 2026 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.
April Showers Bring May Flowers
Seems like we have had a lot of storms lately! With less gloom and more sunshine, take a moment to go outside this month for a writing session and let nature inspire you and your writing.
Drexel MFA Calendar
Find all the upcoming MFA events in one place by subscribing to the new calendar created by second year, Madison Betts! Thank you Madison for bringing this enhancement to our community <3
How to subscribe to the Drexel MFA Calendar:
Select the Drexel MFA Calendar link. The calendar will open directly in a browser.
Select “Add to Google Calendar” located at the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. This will take you to your Google Calendar and a pop up will appear that says “Add Calendar.”
Select “Add Calendar” and your Google Calendar will update to include all Drexel MFA events.
Once the calendar is added, events will update automatically. No re-adding is necessary unless you unsubscribe from the calendar.
Drexel MFA Gift Fund: Tyler Duggan Memorial Scholarship
The Tyler Duggan Memorial Scholarship will be a prize for dreamers and storytellers, just like him. Each year, we’ll award a $500 scholarship to one or two second-year MFA students who submit their most heartfelt, mind-bending, and abstract work.
Upcoming Events
[RESCHEDULED] Craft Chat with Rebecka Dazenbaker
Stay tuned for more information!
Tuesday, May 12th @ 7pm EST - Promotion via Podcasting
Promoting an indie novel requires resourcefulness and putting yourself out there. Class of 2024 MFA grad Lee Ann Walling has extended her reach beyond her social media platforms by being a podcast guest — over and over again. Through PodMatch (one of many services ) she has been matched with hosts across the country - -and beyond. A recent promo for an LGBTQ- focused podcast generated 10,000 views . Why is this a Salt and Pepper Dragons topic? Because Lee Ann is 69 and is looking for creative ways to promote her novel. She’ ll talk about options and how to prepare and position yourself for this trendy medium.
Craft Chats
Craft chat is on hiatus in May and June but you can catch up on old episodes on the podcast. Also, this week's craft chat with Rebecca Dazenbaker author of Soul match is being rescheduled. Stay tuned for more information.
Listen & Watch:
Follow J.D. Myall’s Linktree for more links, events, and updates.
Let’s celebrate the power of story—and the Drexel MFA family. Listen, share, and spread the word!
Writing Meet Ups
Hosted by Regina Guarino (‘23), write with your peers on Zoom for an hour.
When: Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning 8:00 AM EST
Meeting ID: 875 3316 3382
Passcode: 6BTMcP
Hosted by Penni Lamont (‘24), write with your peers on Zoom for an hour.
When: Every Monday evening 8:00 PM EST
Meeting ID: 796 4320 0308
Passcode: UJV4j1
Reasons to Celebrate
George MacMillan’s (writing as H.A. Callum) crossover YA coming of age adventure, Red, White & Buttercup, will be published June 2026! For readers who love adventure, history, and magical realism comes Red, White & Buttercup, the story of fifteen-year-old Philadelphian, Skye Maguire, who learns her father is a fugitive who has been risking his life to keep her in the country since her mother died.
Email drexelmfacommunications@gmail.com for any news and celebrations you would like included in the newsletter!
Substack Updates
Want your win featured in the next newsletter? Reach out to drexelmfacommunications@gmail.com and share any related links and content you wish for us to include.
For any celebrations, please send them to drexelmfacommunications@gmail.com
We are moving some of the content over to our overall Substack website - to revisit any previous publications and resources, you can view it here.
