Two New Graduates from MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts Program Share 2024 Plork Prize
June 17, 2024
Contact: Office of Advancement and External Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
The University of Baltimore's MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts faculty have selected two new graduates of the program as co-winners of the program's annual Plork Prize. Hannah Collins, a fiction writer, and Kayla Renee, a poet, shared the program's top prize, which celebrates a long-time fundamental part of the CWPA MFA. All graduating MFA in CWPA students are eligible for this annual award.
"Each graduating MFA student this year demonstrated key elements of what we in the MFA CWPA call 'plorking'—playing, working, creating with abandon, helping others with joy," said Betsy Boyd, program director. "The plork ethic is the heart of our program. Faculty were especially struck by this class's efficient teamwork and easy peer support as well as the camaraderie among everyone."
Collins worked closely with Professors Jane Delury, Andrew Klein and Boyd during her thesis year.
"Hannah's book of stories, The Dead Arts, tackles some heavy themes—identity, self-actualization—incorporating humor at those moments we need it most. Her accompanying illustrations are such a vibrant and totally plorky addition to this original collection," Boyd said. "I was also very impressed with Hannah's generosity in the thesis workshop setting. She went above and beyond to make sure her cohort, and others, got the critical support they were seeking."
"Dead Arts is full of life—every detail counts, every creature its own world, every page a new possibility," notes Prof. Klein. "Her approach to the book's design and aesthetics came from the heart, and it culminated in a work of clear joy."
Follow Hannah Collins at her website.
Poet Kayla Renee worked closely with Professors Steven Leyva, Marion Winik, and Andrew Sargus Klein during her thesis year, resulting in the collection Baby Grand.
"Kayla's positive attitude and openness to suggestions made the revision process for Baby Grand a plorky pleasure," said Prof. Winik. "Her high spirits and excitement about the process lit up the poetry cohort and the whole bookfair planning process this year."
"Struck by a glittering bolt of pink lightning, Baby Grand is a testament to its author's intuition and creativity as well as the collective support of the graduating cohort," said Prof. Klein. "Throughout the entire process, Kayla demonstrated a willingness to push herself in every aspect of the book's design and concept, and the end result speaks for itself."
Follow Kayla Renee at her website.
Both new alumni will receive a $250 stipend each.
Learn more about UBalt's acclaimed MFA in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts.