The Atlantic Monthly awards prize to creative writing student
Story written by Creative Writing program student selected in contest
Kyle Minor knows what rejection letters look like. With between 20 and 30 submissions in circulation at any given time, the first-year Master of Fine Arts student in Ohio State’s Creative Writing program, receives up to 20 a week.
That’s why he knew the letter from The Atlantic Monthly he received recently was different. The envelope was smaller than a rejection letter, and the paper was better quality.
And, indeed, the letter was different, because it included the news that the young writer from Jupiter, FL., won second place in The Atlantic Monthly's 2004 Student Writing Contest, one of most prestigious literary prizes available to students anywhere in the world.
Minor’s story, “Lay Me Down in the Blue Grass” is a nonfiction essay about the aftermath of the suicide of his wife’s nephew in Kentucky. The story is part of a book-length work on rivers and death that he has in progress.
“It's a story about grieving, about dealing with great loss," Minor said. “Even the mountain seemed to grieve. The day of the funeral a great thunderstorm resurfaced the mountain. The creek waters broke through the dam, and by morning had cut a new path down the mountain.”
Minor says the award is especially important because The Atlantic Monthly is one of the oldest and most respected literary publications, and it rarely publishes emerging authors. The award offers a $500 prize, and his story will be considered for publication in the magazine. He expects the achievement will help him gain credibility with other outlets, including a better chance at publication. “If I say in my cover letters that I’ve received this award from The Atlantic Monthly, maybe they’ll read my submissions.”
Entry into Ohio State’s Creative Writing MFA program is highly competitive. Minor is one of only 15 graduate students chosen to begin the three-year program this year out of some 150 who applied. Recent program graduates have sold books and stories to major publishing houses and magazines.
Minor especially enjoys the part of the Creative Writing program that brings well-known authors to campus to teach and give readings. “I’ve been able to talk with some of these authors for hours about their work and how they do it. Those conversations have been very helpful.”
Minor credits Creative Writing program faculty for helping him write wiser stories. “Faculty in this program is well-respected writers who are enthusiastic teachers,” said Minor. “They’ve taught me what you can do with the narrative voice, with structure, character and point of view, how to have a vision for your work so that it has a profound resonance inside the reader.”
Erin McGraw, associate professor of english in the Creative Writing program, describes Minor’s writing as substantial and “chewy.” “Kyle writes about serious topics. He tries to find the human element in each story and does a good job of recording it. We’re all very proud of him.”
Lee Martin, professor of english in the Creative Writing program, says Minor’s recognition is also a commentary on the strength of Ohio State’s program. “At any given time, our students have a number of pieces submitted to journals and magazines. This award illustrates the increasingly high regard that publications have for our student work.”
While working on his degree, Minor also teaches composition to first-year students who plan to go into science and medicine. “We talk about the ways in which the practice of medicine can be enriched by literature and the humanities. No matter what field you enter, the practice and study of writing has much to teach, much to offer. I try to share what I've learned with my students, so they can begin crafting narratives that help them learn about themselves.” Minor hasn’t told his students about the honor.
(written by Amy Murray - Ohio State Media Relations)
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