The Words: February 2026
New semester, new faces: Three professors join the English and Creative Writing department this spring
The Words thanks Prof. Sheldon, Mike, and Michael for their lovely responses to our questions, and we hope you take part in welcoming them into the English and Creative Writing community here at Mac!
Poetry Brings Us Together: Emergency Rent Assistance Fundraiser
On February 15th, two members of our faculty, Professors Sarah Ghazal Ali and Michael Prior, participated in a Zoom reading for a great cause: West Side Rent Assistance. This rent assistance will help renters in the West Side who have been affected by the recent ICE activity in the Twin Cities.
Alumni Spotlight: Charley Eatchel on Visual Poetics, Publishing, and Puppet-Making
This month, The Words reached out to Mac English and Creative Writing alum, Charley Eatchel ’‘23, to talk about what they’ve been up to since graduation. Charley, an English major with a focus in literature, was highly involved in the editorial side of Chanter, in addition to serving as a dedicated English student worker manager and event planner. Since graduation, Charley delved into the Twin Cities literary community by working at Button Poetry for a year and is now nourishing their English skills as an MFA candidate in Creative Writing at The Ohio State University! We’d like to thank Charley for taking the time to share their creative adventures and wisdom with us.
Paths Back to Poetry: Literary Salon with Ashley Wynter
For its first Literary Salon of the semester, the English and Creative Writing department warmly welcomed poet and editor Ashley Wynter for an afternoon of conversation, reading, and writing, hosted by Professor Michael Prior. The event offered students the chance to get an insight into Wynter’s creative work and process, as well as her career as a poetry editor at Copper Canyon Press, one of the nation’s oldest independent literary presses.
English and Creative Writing Professors Winter Break Reads
This winter break flew by, leaving many wishing they had more time to read their to-be-read list. The Words asked ENCW professors what they read over break, and what they would recommend.
Taking A Trip to the Moon with Prof. Woodward’s Literary Publishing Class
On February 4th, the Fall 2025 class unveiled its latest iteration, A Trip to the Moon, at its release party during that week’s English and Creative Writing Coffee House. Students and faculty alike crammed into Old Main 400 to eat Moon Pies and hear from the students behind the book.
Words in the Wild: A Month at the New York State Summer Writers Institute
A psychiatrist my dad’s age with a heavy New York accent, a millennial gymnastics instructor, an outspoken Harvard undergraduate, and a cookbook author sit by my side in a ring of desks. Few other circumstances — save for a family reunion — could attract this group. But we are far from related. Instead, we devote our attention to workshopping each other’s nonfiction essays.
Old Main 2 goes wild for Shakespeare’s Wild Goose Chase
This semester, a scavenger hunt is afoot on Old Main 2! The English and Creative Writing Department’s newest tradition, Shakespeare’s Wild Goose Chase, offers the chance for English and Creative Writing students to scour the department for a voucher to win department merchandise or candy.
Student/Faculty Accolades
Read the monthly roundup of student/faculty accolades here.