I first met Lori May at Wilkes University’s Creative Writing Residency last June, where she gave one of the best social media workshops I have ever had the pleasure of taking. She’s professional, friendly, and well…she knows her stuff. I encourage you to grab a copy of her newest book, The Low-Residency MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Creative Writing Students. Lori has been a friend to Low-Residency programs across the country, and is a true literary citizen. Recently she agreed to answer some of my very probing questions. Enjoy this brief Q&A with Lori A. May!
Me: What gave you the idea for The Low-Residency MFA Handbook?
Lori: This is truly an example of being prepared and recognizing when an opportunity comes around. I had written a number of articles about low-res programs and received a respectable amount of feedback that the information-interviews with grads and faculty, insider know-how on programs, etc-was useful, in demand, and not readily available. Really, I’m surprised I didn’t think of it earlier, but there came a time when I had a few articles out that I realized there was a larger audience for this type of resource-and yet despite several really great MFA guides and handbooks, there simply wasn’t one geared to those interested in low-res programs. I was prepared, as I had already become familiar with my topic, but I also recognized the opportunity and acted on it. When I approached Continuum Books, my fantastic and supportive publisher, they confirmed an audience would be eager for this type of publication.
Me: What would you say are the main advantages of the low-residency program? Do you see more of them popping up in the future?
Lori: The obvious benefit of a low-res program is being able to undertake a graduate degree without moving one’s family, work, and everyday life for the sake of attending a program, but I think it goes deeper than this. Low-res programs really do set writers up to live a literary life. Students are forced to immediately prioritize, set and meet deadlines without regular supervision, and get into a writing habit that really can be sustained, years after the degree. There is a lot of talk about what to do after the MFA, as some grads find it difficult to maintain the schedule and dedication to writing after a traditional program. For low-res students, you learn that discipline and commitment-including how to deal with deadlines, rejection, creative blocks, and daily life interference-throughout the program and it’s not necessarily easier, but perhaps more familiar in how to tackle the writing life.
I definitely see potential for growth both in number and variety. This is good news for students as programs may focus on film or poetry, writing for children, so-called commercial work (don’t we all want to sell our work?), or socially minded writing. There’s already an incredible variety of programs, but I’m sure we’ll continue to see a lot of low-res development over the next decade.
Me: A lot of your publications are in poetry and fiction. How was it switching gears and writing nonfiction?
Lori: Actually, I got my start in nonfiction. While I have always written poetry, my first publications-going way back-are with newspaper and magazine markets. I began my writing career by writing book reviews and culture/lifestyle pieces, and have continued to do nonfiction throughout the years. I am a somewhat regular contributor to The Writer, I’ve written for travel magazines, book review sites, Writer’s Digest, community newspapers, and more. In fact, probably about half my writing time is writing nonfiction, so it wasn’t a stretch to go for a full-length project. Having the experience of writing other books, in fiction and poetry, prepared me for the required stamina and know-how to get a few hundred pages down, but my nonfiction voice and style has been developed over a much longer period of time. I love having so much variety in my work and how they each play off one another, sometimes in unexpected ways.
Me: What was the research process for The Low-Residency Handbook like?
Lori: You would think interviewing 150+ people would be taxing, but it was in fact an incredibly enjoyable process. I talked with directors, faculty, alumni, current students, and visiting writers from 49 programs and, I have to say, there are a lot of really happy people in low-res programs! Writers from all kinds of backgrounds and genres were just so pleased to share their experiences and let others know what their respective programs did and continue to do, how they approach workshopping, residencies, term work, you name it. It was great to have all of these discussions, which, really, was the most of my work. Since I don’t rank programs or provide personal commentary on any of the programs myself-I leave that to those who experienced each program firsthand-relaying their stories was the bulk of my work. As for adding in the chapters about what to look for in a program, how to prepare for rigorous study and succeed after graduation? All of these chapters resulted from those valuable conversations with other writers and my own writing life experience of knowing it takes more than education to keep you going-you need that daily discipline and commitment to the craft to sustain a life as a writer.
Me: As a Canadian, can you help us fix our healthcare system, eh?
Lori: Canadians just know how to eat right and that’s a big part of improving one’s health. A typical Canadian menu for the day might include poutine, butter tarts, Montreal smoked meat, Nanaimo bars, and the ever-amusing grilled cheese with ketchup. When you eat right, you feel good, and that’s the best health care advice I can give. Ha!
Me: Did you travel to any low-res programs for your research? And if so, was Wilkes your favorite? You can tell me, I won’t say anything.
Lori: Oh, clever girl, you’re trying to trick me!
But seriously, I didn’t visit any programs for book research. All of my interviews were conducted via email, over the phone, and some in person at literary events. Again, since I don’t rank or rate the programs, it was more important for me to have these one-on-one conversations with faculty and students who were able to share their personal experiences. This is the whole purpose of the book: to give prospective students the opportunity to hear those conversations and have their questions answered about what it’s like to attend any of the programs. Only those who have experienced the term work and residencies firsthand can give a full perspective of what each program is like.
Having said that, yes, I have and continue to attend a few residencies as a guest lecturer/visiting writer. During these past visits, though, I didn’t conduct research as most of my visiting lectures actually took place when all of my work on the book was complete. In my day-to-day life, I teach at a few on-campus undergrad institutions and often share lectures and workshops at writing conferences and events, and doing so at residencies is a natural extension of this and one of my tasks I enjoy the most.
Now, as for my visit to Wilkes? It was fantastic. I had a really lovely time interacting with students and faculty and think it’s a wonderful program that has a genuine community feel to it. I immediately felt part of a family when I visited last summer and look forward to returning again this year.
Me: What’s next for Lori A. May?
Lori: I have so much on the go right now. I’m finishing up a new poetry collection called Square Feet, which I hope to complete by the end of spring. I’m also really excited about a new nonfiction book I’m preparing to pitch to my publisher (more details to come). This June I have an article in The Writer about the changing landscape of independent and self-publishing. And, well, I have some other creative writing on the go, as always, that I fit into my schedule between teaching, conferences, and enjoying life.
Also, in the immediate future, I’ll be at the AWP Conference and Bookfair promoting The Low-Residency MFA Handbook. In the Bookfair, I’m at table H-8, and I’ll have lots of copies available for purchase and signing! I’m also moderating a panel on low-res innovations Friday morning, but mostly I am looking forward to reconnecting with literary friends from all over the country and beyond.
For an up-to-date schedule of upcoming events and publications, folks are encouraged to visit my website www.loriamay.com.
I want to thank Lori May for answering our questions, and I encourage all of you to get to know this writer a little better!
The Low-Residency MFA Handbook: A Guide for Prospective Creative Writing Students available at Amazon or Continuum Books
Also available at Barnes & Noble or Amazon – stains: early poems by Lori A. May
