Washington College Welcomes Its First-Ever Mary Wood Fellow: Author/Editor Hannah Tinti

Chestertown, MD — For five days this October, the Rose O'Neill Literary House and the Department of English at Washington College are welcoming the story writer and editor Hannah Tinti, as the first-ever Mary Wood Fellow.

This extended stay by an emerging woman writer was conceived by Mary Wood '68. "I thought that the young writers—especially the young women writers—might get some encouragement and insight into the writing life by somebody who has broken through the glass ceiling," said Wood, a former board member of Washington College and a long-time friend of literary programs. "And if the writer stays for longer than just one overnight reading, they could talk to her and get to know her."

The College community will get to know Hannah Tinti from October 16th through the 20th. Her packed schedule includes three public presentations, several class visits, one-and-one conferences with students, and even a ride on the skipjack Ellsworth.

Tinti's first collection of stories, Animal Crackers, was widely praised by critics, and was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick for 2004, among other honors. Her first novel, Resurrection Men, is forthcoming with the Dial Press. She is also the editor of One Story, which publishes one story every issue. The journal, which she co-created in 2001, has had stories recognized in Best American Short Stories, Best New American Voices, Best American Non-Required Reading, and on public radio's "Selected Shorts."

One Story has been profiled in the New York Times, Newsweek and elsewhere. "Perhaps most satisfying of all," Tinti said, "we've seen many One Story writers go on to publish their first books."

Tinti will deliver a talk on publishing at the Rose O'Neill Literary House on Thursday, October 18, at 4:30 p.m. Students who are interested in learning about how to get published and read as a literary writer are encouraged to attend. On Saturday, October 20, at 1:30 p.m., Tinti will give a public reading at Hynson Lounge, where she will be preceded by student writers she will work with during her stay. Late night Saturday, Tinti will make a special appearance at a Writers' Union reading, for which students should meet at the Literary House at 9 p.m.

October 10, 2007