Braiding the Essay with Conviction With Lyzette Wanzer

Remembering the In-Between Moments With Matt Thompson

High school creative writing and English language arts teacher Matt Thompson sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Thompson reveals the secrets to successful workshopping with younger writers, explores how preconceived notions and expectations hinder creativity, and uncovers the surprising beauty of being wrong about big things. Matt Thompson’s poem, Laundromat Blues, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review. _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review [https://washingtonsquarereview.openlcc.net/] Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand [https://mfaland.blogspot.com/] Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken [https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFordWriter/] Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken [https://www.instagram.com/melissafordlucken]

Turning Stories Into Novels With Joseph Esper

Actor, author and Lansing Community College student Joseph Esper chats with Professor of Creative Writing Melissa Ford Lucken. Esper, a Creative Writing major, muses about the role of acting in his creative life, reveals his intense dislike for The Catcher in the Rye, and ponders the ways gaming story structure inspires his own creative works. Joseph's website [https://www.josephebooks.com/] Joseph’s novel, Follies of Humanity [https://a.co/d/0eu5CaBP] _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review [https://washingtonsquarereview.openlcc.net/] Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand [https://mfaland.blogspot.com/] Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken [https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFordWriter/] Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken [https://www.instagram.com/melissafordlucken]

Myth-Crafting Through Fan-Fiction With Sarah DeToy

Lansing Community College student Sarah DeToy joins Professor Melissa Ford Lucken to chat about her journey from high school, through trade school, to community college. DeToy, an avid Minecraft-er, cosplayer, and fan-fiction writer, expresses her deep appreciation for myths and how they unite people of different cultures and reveals how her success as a student is linked to her ability to intentionally deconstruct the “puzzles” of academic writing and research. _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review [https://washingtonsquarereview.openlcc.net/] Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand [https://mfaland.blogspot.com/] Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken [https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFordWriter/] Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken [https://www.instagram.com/melissafordlucken]

A Pasodoble in Prose With Richard Stimac

Poet, massage therapist, and tango dancer Ricard Stimac talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. After years in the business and marketing world, Stimac, seeking more meaningful work, became a massage therapist. Stimac emphasizes the importance of clear writing, muses on the beauty of intentionality in words and movement, and offers an inside look at the world of tango dancing. Richard’s poem, Autumn Notes, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review. Richard on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/richard.stimac.poet/] _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review [https://washingtonsquarereview.openlcc.net/] Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand [https://mfaland.blogspot.com/] Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken [https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFordWriter/] Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken [https://www.instagram.com/melissafordlucken]

Braiding the Essay with Conviction With Lyzette Wanzer

Award‑winning author, researcher, and teacher Lyzette Wanzer chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Wanzer traces the journey of her ground‑breaking anthology from a quick idea for an Association of Writers and Writing Programs panel proposal, to a book proposal, to a published volume. Her book, Trauma, Tresses & Truth, explores the complex relationship Black women continue to have with their hair among the still‑remaining systemic biases in schools, academia, and corporate America, and was named a Top 10 Best Social Sciences Book by Library Journal. Lyzette’s edited anthology, Trauma, Tresses & Truth [https://bookshop.org/p/books/trauma-tresses-and-truth-untangling-our-hair-through-personal-narratives-lyzette-wanzer/afa7a0c833aad159?ean=9781641606707&next=t&next=t], is available from Lawrence Hill Books [https://bookshop.org/p/books/trauma-tresses-and-truth-untangling-our-hair-through-personal-narratives-lyzette-wanzer/afa7a0c833aad159?ean=9781641606707&next=t&next=t]. Lyzette on LindedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyzettewanzer] Lyzette on Insta [https://www.instagram.com/traumatressestruth] _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review [https://washingtonsquarereview.openlcc.net/] Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand [https://mfaland.blogspot.com/] Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken [https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFordWriter/] Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken [https://www.instagram.com/melissafordlucken]