The nation’s only consortial MFA creative writing program. Three gateway campuses: The University of Akron, Cleveland State University, & Kent State University.
Four genres: fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, & playwriting. < neomfa.org > The only consortial MFA program in the country, NEOMFA is a collaboration between Cleveland State University, Kent State University, The University of Akron, & Youngstown State University:
| One Program | Four Universities | Unlimited Opportunities |
06/18/2026
Thanks to all involved for a great first-ever NEOMFA Alumni Reading last Thu, June 11, at Visible Voice Books! Pictured below are host Lindsey Maple (center) along with Benjamin Anthony Rhodes, Isaiah Hunt, Carrie George, and Alexandra Salata (left to right). More photos and info on the NEOMFA alumni page at https://neomfa.org/alumni-collective! See you next year for another reading with more program grads!
06/16/2026
This Friday, June 19! 2x2 Reading at 7pm at Riff’s in Cleveland, featuring NEOMFA alums Mansa Lamont Bey and Kristen Tetzmann, faculty Caryl Pagel, and recent guest faculty Xan Forest Phillips. More at https://www.instagram.com/2x2show/. Riff’s located at 2418 Professor Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.
06/15/2026
Congrats to alum Adam Gretsinger for his new book, Kids Can Be Cruel, just released and available now at Itch.io!
This new work of fiction promises much action: “When her best friend goes missing, Maria Nievez has only one option: enter her Ohio middle school's underground fight club and get some answers…with her best friend on the line, Maria must learn to bash heads first and ask questions later.”
Kids Can Be Cruel is available for digital download as a PDF or ePub.
Get your copy now at https://ledtsar.itch.io/kids-can-be-cruel!
06/12/2026
Thanks to Visible Voice Books for a great Alumni Reading last night! NEOMFA-ers take note of another poetry reading there tonight, Friday, June 12, at 6pm. This one features NEOMFA alumni Karen Schubert and Virginia Konchan along with Stephanie Ginese, Cherise Benton, and Daniel Moysaenko. Free! https://www.visiblevoicebooks.com/calendar-of-events/88xa1rg6bn2zwdpe0w25j7tm59j90g
06/10/2026
Tomorrow night!!!
NEOMFA ALUMNI READING
Thursday, June 11 at 6:00 pm
Visible Voice Books
4601 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland
Hosted by Lindsey Maple
Featuring Carrie George, Isaiah Hunt, Jessica Jewell, Benjamin Anthony Rhodes, Alexandra Salata
This event is free and open to the public, with no tickets or reservations required.
https://www.visiblevoicebooks.com/calendar-of-events
06/08/2026
Join alum Meghan Louise Wagner for a workshop on “Fiction Revision” this July 2 - August 20 with Literary Cleveland! Meghan will be teaching this 8-session course on Thursdays at 6:30 pm, with some sessions remote via Zoom and some at the LC office at 13002 Larchmere Blvd in Cleveland. Find more info at https://www.litcleveland.org/classes-workshops/fiction-revision---july-2026
06/04/2026
Congratulations to alum Ali Black, a finalist for the 2026 Ohio Book Awards, presented by the Ohioana Library! Ali’s 2025 collection We Look Better Alive (Burnside Review Press) was nominated in the Poetry category.
The winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony on October 15. Find out more at https://www.ohioana.org/programs/ohio-book-awards/.
Order your copy of Ali’s nominated collection at https://burnsidereview.org/we-look-better-alive.html.
06/03/2026
Coming up soon!!!
NEOMFA ALUMNI READING
Thursday, June 11 at 6:00 pm
Visible Voice Books
4601 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland
Hosted by Lindsey Maple
Featuring Carrie George, Isaiah Hunt, Jessica Jewell, Benjamin Anthony Rhodes, Alexandra Salata
This event is free and open to the public, with no tickets or reservations required.
https://www.visiblevoicebooks.com/calendar-of-events
06/01/2026
Join recent NEOMFA guest faculty Xan Forest Phillips for “Radical Revision: A Poetry Workshop,” presented by Literary Cleveland via Zoom, Wednesdays at 6:30pm from June 10 - July 22. “A space for editing preexisting poems using dynamic poetic forms.” More info at https://www.litcleveland.org/classes-workshops/radical-revision-a-poetry-workshop
05/29/2026
NEOMFA faculty member emeritus Philip Brady reads with Jacqueline Marino on Wednesday, June 3 at 7:00 pm at Westside Bowl in Youngstown. Presented by Lit Youngstown as part of the First Wednesday Reader Series. Hosted by Michele Gatts with an open mic to follow.
Note: This reading will be downstairs in the Trophy Room, accessible only by stairs. Meagan Albani will provide ASL interpretation.
Find more info at https://westsidebowl.com/event/philip-brady-jacqueline-marino/.