Washington Square On Air

Threading Verse and Prose With David Miley

Poet David Miley talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A former technical writer and web developer, Miley is now a multi-published writer who composes to represent reality rather than to escape it. He reflects on finding your own author voice, considers when and how to put workshop feedback to use, and emphasizes the importance of separating the artist's gaze from the subject. David Miley’s poem, The Threading Cart, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review. David on Instagram David on Bluesky David’s website _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

Shaping the Sound of the Story With Carrie Coello

Audiobook narrator Carrie Coello sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. An actor since the age of seven who pairs her love of stories with the technical skills she honed in film production, Coello walks through her narration process and what makes a good audiobook production. She offers guidance for indie authors considering converting their books to audio and shares how an aspiring narrator might break into the field. Carrie’s linktree Carrie’s Website: https://carriecoello.com/ _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

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Turning Moments Into Memories With Michael Coley

Punk rock musician and writer Michael "Tuna" Coley talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A writer who came to the page through therapeutic journaling, Coley now works in mental health admissions, where he hears all parts, not just the pretty ones, of a person's story. He reflects on existing in the space where you are, writing out the smaller moments of life, and reveals the origins of his nickname. Michael Coley’s essay, Foreigner in a Foreign(er) Land, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review. Michael’s email: jdeux7934@gmail.com _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

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Letting the Poem Speak With Glen A. Mazis

Lifelong poet and phenomenologist Glen Mazis chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Humanities Emeritus at Penn State Harrisburg, Mazis explores the deep connection between literature and philosophy, reflects on the Zen of living in the moment and the quiet emotions we often overlook, and considers how social media and modern life fragment our experiences and our shared humanity. Glen Mazis’ poems, Old Sweater & Taking to Heart, appear in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review. Glen on Facebook Glen’s website _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

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Protecting the Unvarnished Word With Frank Weber

Writer Frank Weber sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A former labor relations manager whose time spent doing technical writing sparked an unexpected turn toward creative writing, Weber describes how, upon retirement, he felt the absence of words and recounts how he now writes and publishes across every genre. He writes for himself and rarely revises, because once a piece is done, he's done. Frank Weber’s poem, Such a Thick Hide, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review. Frank’s website Frank’s email: tfw34789@gmail _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

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Building Poems from Personal History With Jeffrey H. MacLachlan

Pushcart Prize nominee Jeffrey MacLachlan returns to chat with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A multi-published writer who teaches at Georgia College & State University and draws inspiration from history and personal events, MacLachlan recounts a multi-generational trip to the ruins of his ancestors in Scotland, considers what advertisements reveal about society, and muses about hot takes on Milton's Paradise Lost. Jeffrey H. MacLachlan’s poem, Five Stones, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review. Jeffrey on Instagram _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

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Ghostwriting as Ecology With Eliza Marley

Folklore scholar and writer Elizabeth Marley chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A University of Illinois Chicago PhD student who examines folklore and ghost stories, Marley finds the bright side of bad workshop experiences and the lessons a student can carry into their own teaching one day. She laughs about being haunted by unfinished manuscripts and untangles how to tell whether an idea is destined to be a novel or a short story. Elizabeth Marley’s story, Ataxia, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review. Elizabeth on Instagram Elizabeth's website Elizabeth’s book, You Shouldn’t Worry About the Frogs _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

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Teaching Grammar Differently With Patty McGee

Award-winning educator and author Patty McGee sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. McGee, who co-wrote her insightful & upbeat grammar book — Not Your Grammy's Grammar — after several years as a frustrated elementary teacher, offers a quick and usable lesson on comma use, stresses the importance of writing feedback that is helpful rather than hurtful, and warns against the red pen effect. Patty's website Patty on Instagram Patty on Linkedin Patty’s book, Not Your Granny’s Grammar _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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Calculating the Probability of Truth With Jarod Jeffery, Pt. 2

In a two-part episode of Washington Square On-Air, Melissa Ford Lucken continues her conversation with singer, writer, and statistician Jarod Jeffery, who enrolled in Lansing Community College after completing two intensive gifted & talented academic programs at Michigan State University, describes his DIY approach to his own high school curriculum, how finishing math coursework early led him to creative writing, and the art of singing pop songs vs. musical numbers. Related Podcast: Calculating the Probability of Truth, Pt. 1 _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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Calculating the Probability of Truth With Jarod Jeffery, Pt. 1

Singer, writer, and statistician Jarod Jeffery talks with Creative Writing Professor Melissa Ford Lucken. Jarod, who enrolled in Lansing Community College after completing two intensive gifted & talented academic programs at Michigan State University, describes his DIY approach to his own high school curriculum, how finishing math coursework early led him to creative writing, and the art of singing pop songs vs. musical numbers. _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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Wielding Words Like Excalibur With Ayesha Montgomery

Recovering political administrator and former political intern turned multi-published poet and poetry presenter Ayesha Montgomery joins Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Montgomery, who discovered the world of politics was not for her, considers the importance of the right audience for the right poem, muses about the old-school magic of the card catalog, and solves the ongoing mystery of how and when to use workshop advice and how and when to set it aside. Ayesha Montgomery’s poem, Power of the Pen, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review. Ayesha on Instagram Ayesha on YouTube Ayesha’s website Ayesha’s poetry book, Love is My Shelter _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

Remembering the In-Between Moments With Matt Thompson

High school creative writing and English language arts teacher Matt Thompson sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Thompson reveals the secrets to successful workshopping with younger writers, explores how preconceived notions and expectations hinder creativity, and uncovers the surprising beauty of being wrong about big things. Matt Thompson’s poem, Laundromat Blues, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review. _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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Turning Stories Into Novels With Joseph Esper

Actor, author and Lansing Community College student Joseph Esper chats with Professor of Creative Writing Melissa Ford Lucken. Esper, a Creative Writing major, muses about the role of acting in his creative life, reveals his intense dislike for The Catcher in the Rye, and ponders the ways gaming story structure inspires his own creative works. Joseph's website Joseph’s novel, Follies of Humanity _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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Myth-Crafting Through Fan-Fiction With Sarah DeToy

Lansing Community College student Sarah DeToy joins Professor Melissa Ford Lucken to chat about her journey from high school, through trade school, to community college. DeToy, an avid Minecraft-er, cosplayer, and fan-fiction writer, expresses her deep appreciation for myths and how they unite people of different cultures and reveals how her success as a student is linked to her ability to intentionally deconstruct the “puzzles” of academic writing and research. _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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A Pasodoble in Prose With Richard Stimac

Poet, massage therapist, and tango dancer Ricard Stimac talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. After years in the business and marketing world, Stimac, seeking more meaningful work, became a massage therapist. Stimac emphasizes the importance of clear writing, muses on the beauty of intentionality in words and movement, and offers an inside look at the world of tango dancing. Richard’s poem, Autumn Notes, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review. Richard on Facebook _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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Braiding the Essay with Conviction With Lyzette Wanzer

Award‑winning author, researcher, and teacher Lyzette Wanzer chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Wanzer traces the journey of her ground‑breaking anthology from a quick idea for an Association of Writers and Writing Programs panel proposal, to a book proposal, to a published volume. Her book, Trauma, Tresses & Truth, explores the complex relationship Black women continue to have with their hair among the still‑remaining systemic biases in schools, academia, and corporate America, and was named a Top 10 Best Social Sciences Book by Library Journal. Lyzette’s edited anthology, Trauma, Tresses & Truth, is available from Lawrence Hill Books. Lyzette on LindedIn Lyzette on Insta _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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Pairing Poetry and Wine With Michael Waterson

Poet, playwright, singer, and songwriter Michael Waterson chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A Pennsylvania native who now calls the California wine country home, Waterson reveals his lifelong interest in dark fairy tales, puzzles over writing for that mystical, sometimes fleeting, moment of joy, and divulges some secrets of a vineyard’s wine‑tasting room. Michael’s poem Fairytale Ending, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review. Michael on Facebook Michael on Insta Michael’s website _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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Emboldening Students Through Creative Expression With Jon Lawrence

High school English teacher Jonathan Lawrence, who teaches at the same school he once graduated from, sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Lawrence, in the way only an experienced teacher can, reflects on the art of arranging poems in an anthology, considers the delicate balance between guidance and restraint, and explains how and why poets need to stay out of the poem’s way. Jonathan’s poem, Imagination on Eleven in Church, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review. Jon on Insta _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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Historicizing Mistaken Memories With John Frame

Historian and author John Frame talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Integrating research and real life into fiction gives this writer the opportunity to find new meaning in past events and imagine lives lived. This conversation also explores the differences between creative and scholarly writing and the danger of an unwanted crush. John Frame’s story, Dorothy, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review. John on BlueSky John’s website _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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Defusing Bombastic Rhetoric With Courtney Crisp

Pop culture scholar and professor Courtney Crisp sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. This conversation covers the hot topics such as crusader rhetoric found in tabletop role playing games, Dungeons and Dragons, for example, to the magic of old-school printed-on-paper fanzines, to the difficulties of explaining pop culture scholarship to family members who struggle to understand how Pathfinder and Hello Kitty are worthy of scholarly research. Courtney on BlueSky _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

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