For the first time in the history of MSU’s undergraduate writing awards, a student was awarded first place for three out of the six genres in the competition. Music history and english literature senior Anna Goodson won first place in poetry, nonfiction, fiction and flash genres.
“These pieces I wrote in all of my classes are all very different,” Goodson said. “I am studying feminist musicology, and studying gender studies in that capacity has greatly influenced my work.”
The winners of the undergraduate writing awards were announced Wednesday night in the Main Library Green Room. American writer Matthew G. Frank served as a final judge of the competition and performed some of his writings.
Frank read from his most recent publication entitled “The Mad Feast: An Ecstatic Tour Through America's Food.”
The book details his love of food and includes nonfiction essays about 50 foods specific to the 50 U.S. states.
During the visit, Frank described how writing has taken him to places he never expected, and said he was very thankful for that.
Frank is currently an English and creative writing associate professor at Northern Michigan University.
Many students found his work to be greatly inspiring. Goodson was especially honored to have won so many awards chosen by Frank.
“It’s just such an amazing opportunity and I’m very excited,” Goodson said. “To have such an acclaimed writer read my work — I'm very honored.”
The event was part of the Michigan Writers Series, which director of Creative Writing Robin Silbergleid helped facilitate.
Silbergleid said experiences such as Frank’s visitation are important experience for student writers.
“I think hearing an author read his or her work is an extremely valuable experience for student writers,” Silbergleid said. “Performance is a difficult skill that needs to be cultivated. Readings like this one invite those conversations both outside and inside the classroom.”
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