MFA Candidates Win First and Second Place in South Loop Review Essay Contest

Wes Jamison won first place for his essay "The Secret Garden," and Ryan Spooner won second place for his essay "On the Lifespan of a Fact." Both essays were selected by Jenny Boully and will be published in volume thirteen of South Loop Review: Creative Nonfiction + Art. Congratulations Wes and Ryan!

Ryan Spooner Wins Cutbank Lyric Essay Contest

Ryan Spooner's essay "Ineffable" was selected as the winning entry for the 2011 Big Fish Lyric Essay contest at Cutbank. The essay will be published online and in the upcoming print issue this winter. Congratulations Ryan!

Nonfiction Students to Read at Printer's Row Lit Fest

Just around the corner, on June 4 and 5, MFA candidates in Columbia's Nonfiction Program will read from their work at Chicago's annual Printer's Row Lit Fest and Book Fair. Candidates Micah McCrary, Ryan Spooner, and Jennifer Tatum-Cotamagaña will have selections of essays and/or poetry to be read at the festival, located along Dearborn St. between Polk and Harrison streets.

Also in the lineup are recent Poetry Program grads and MFA candidates Jeffrey Allen, Stephen Danos, Liz Chereskin, Steve Roggenbuck, Holly Amos, Ryan Courtwright and Thomas Nowak.

The Printer's Row Lit Fest will take place from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on June 4 and 5. Please come out to show your support for our students and join in on the fun!

View the full schedule of events here.

Nonfiction Students Host Bomb & Bird May 19th

Here it comes with a keening falsetto: 

 

BOMB & BIRD

an open-mic reading series dead-set on sacrificing silence.

Half garden path, half freight-train derailment, BOMB & BIRD wants your sweaty palms, your dry throat, and your nervous tics.

We want your poem, your prose, your cereal box top. Give us your best. Give us your worst.

We'll give you five minutes.

Reading spots are first-come, first-served.

Here we are, gussied in our itchy polyester, asking you to join us.

When?
7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 19

Where?
Innertown Pub, 1935 West Thomas Street.

There you are, coy and considering, and with nothing to do but show up, sign up, and speak up.

Jennifer Tatum-Cotamagaña to Read in The Pocket Lab Reading Series

Thursday, May 5th, Jennifer Tatum-Cotamagaña will read at the Pocket Lab Reading Series in Minneapolis, MN. For more details, visit the Pocket Lab blog.

Jenny Boully's New Book from Tarpaulin Sky Press

Jenny Boully's newest book not merely because of the unknown that was stalking toward them is forthcoming from Tarpaulin Sky Press. Pre-order it here, and click here to read a review of it.

Information for Newly Admitted MFA Students

We know you have questions about the program, but we figured you probably have questions about the Chicago area, in general. Here are some useful websites for getting information on the city and for frequently asked questions about moving to Chicago.

APARTMENT HUNTING

Apartment People

Chicago Apartment Finders

NEIGHBORHOODS

The following are neighborhoods that come recommended by Nonfiction and Poetry Programs students and are accessible by the Red and Blue line trains (the most convenient routes to campus):

RED LINE NEIGHBORHOODS

Lakeview 

Lincoln Park

Andersonville

Uptown

DePaul/Sheffield

BLUE LINE NEIGHBORHOODS

Logan Square

Wicker Park

Bucktown

Ukrainian Village

USEFUL LINKS

Neighborhood map of Chicago (Columbia is located in the South Loop)

Columbia College Chicago's Relocation Guide

Chicago Transit Authority site, with schedules, maps, and trip planners.

Columbia College's Incoming Student FAQs