As my time as Poet Laureate of Kansas is coming to an end here in 2026, I had one final chance to bring poetry back to the State Fair. This year, I knew I wanted to bring poems by young Kansans to the Fair in both posters placed around the Fair and for a reading … Continue reading There’s No Place Like Home: Poems of Kansas Landscape and Food at the 2026 State Fair
Kara Northway, Associate Professor of English, presents “Star-crossed Lovers Seeking Stardom: An Actor’s Letter from 1606” (February 2023) Since our blog debuted in 2017, we have published 500+ posts. While some of you may have been with us from the start (thank you, loyal readers!), others may have joined us more recently. So, we're highlighting … Continue reading From the Archive: AFTLS and Love Letters to Romeo and Juliet
Location: 2nd Floor, English Counseling Services BuildingObject: Whiteboard (September 2026)Observations: 1) Since 2023, the whiteboard on the 2nd floor of ECS has continued to pose questions, ask for opinions, and prompt stories. 2) After asking about the best part of the fall semester ("crunchy leaves," "reading new things," and "pumpkin spice latte on my porch!" … Continue reading Found Object: What’s Your Superpower?
Angie Franson (BA ’94, MA ‘97) on the right in between her two sons, with husband Justin at the end of the table. They were joined by good friends Jana Zaudke (MA ’95) and Sean Zaudke and their family on a trip to Italy in 2025. “Our delight in the sunshine on the deep-bladed grass … Continue reading Alumni Spotlight: Angie Franson
Here at the K-State Writing Center, we can help students become more skilled and more confident writers. We work with every type of writing assignment, from cover letters to personal statements" to smaller assignments to full-length final papers, and we welcome projects in any stage of completion. Writing concerns that we address can include … Continue reading Why Visit the Writing Center Instead of Using Tools like AI?
Cover for India Animated: Essays on Contemporary Practice (Palgrave, 2026), which includes an essay by Anuja Madan. Each month during the academic year, we assemble a newsletter of the department's recent publications, presentations, announcements, and awards. The issue for September showcases a greater range of research, scholarship, and creative activity that our faculty and students … Continue reading Summer 2026 Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
Heather Etelamaki (BA '12, MA '15) When I started in the English graduate program for creative writing in 2013, I knew I wanted to be a writer and also have a career separate from writing to help support myself. I’d known that many authors had “day jobs” to help pay the bills. Every author had … Continue reading Alumni Spotlight: Heather Etelamaki
Cover for D. Kimball Smith's recent book Strategies of Failure in the Early Modern Sonnet (Routledge, 2026) Too many years ago I was speaking to a colleague about a book I was thinking about beginning. I was a little shy about it, since it was in its early stages, but we always turn to our … Continue reading Faculty Spotlight: D. Kimball Smith
Our new graduate students come from across Kansas, the Midwest, and the world. We're so glad they're here. Name: Ellie DonohoeHometown: Tipton, IowaAlma mater: Wartburg CollegePlease tell us something interesting/unique about you: I am a high school English teacher at a rural school in Iowa.If you could transform briefly into a literary character, who would you want … Continue reading Meet the New Grad Students
From “Kansas Fall Color Parade” (Photo: Dr. Megan Kennelly) The Fall 2026 semester is underway -- and we're looking forward to some great events ahead! This semester, several of our events will be Hyflex (in-person with a concurrent streaming option), so we can accommodate colleagues and students who may not be able to join us … Continue reading Fall Preview
