Credentials

Ph.D. in English, 2001, University of Missouri-Columbia.

  • Comprehensive exam areas in Poetry Manuscript Construction and Contemporary Science Fiction.
  • Dissertation (poems): Mustang Sally Pays Her Debt to Wilson Pickett.

M.A. in English, 1996, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

  • Comprehensive exam areas in 20th-Century American Lit, Plains Lit, and Women's Lit.
  • Thesis (poems): Conversation Pieces.

B.A. in English and French, 1995, Creighton University, Omaha, NE.

Editorial Jill-of-All-Trades

  • Poetry, Short Fiction, Plays, Novels, Memoirs
  • Academic and Popular-Press Articles and Books
  • Theses and Dissertations
  • Professional Materials: Resumes, Cover Letters, Artist Statements, and so on
  • Promotional Web Content
  • Training Materials
  • Grant Proposals and Reports
  • Organizational Policy and Procedure Documents
  • Newsletters, Ad Copy, Member Directories

Small-Press Expert

  • 150+ poems in literary magazines, plus reprints and book reviews.
  • Reader, Spark Wheel Press, 2014-2016.
  • Poetry Editor of The Missouri Review, 2000-2003.
  • Editorial Assistant at The Missouri Review, 1998-2000.
  • Editorial Assistant at Prairie Schooner, 1995-1998.

Award-Winning Poet

  • Finalist, White Pine Poetry Prize, 2012 & 2014
  • Semifinalist, Zone 3 Press Poetry Prize, 2014
  • Finalist, Alligator Juniper 2011 National Writing Contest, 2011.
  • Finalist, Gell Poetry Prize, 2010.
  • Finalist, Main Street Rag 2005 Chapbook Competition, 2005.
  • Semifinalist, Poetry West 2005 Chapbook Competition, 2005.
  • Finalist, Pudding House Press Give ‘Em Shelter Chapbook Competition, 2004.
  • Pushcart Prize Nominee, 2001.
  • Pushcart Prize Nominee, 1998.

Experienced Anthology Editor

  • Editor, Ekphrasis Anthology. Kansas City, MO: Box Gallery, 2018.
  • Editor, Annual Interpretations Anthology. Columbia, MO: Columbia Art League, October 2013-2017.
  • Co-Editor, with Bryan D. Dietrich of Drawn to Marvel: Poems from the Comic Books. Seattle: Minor Arcana Press, 2014.
  • Poetry Editor, Well Versed. Columbia, MO: CCMWG, 2014, 2013, 2002.
  • Nonfiction Editor, Well Versed. Columbia, MO: CCMWG, 2004.

Experienced Teacher: Academic and Non-Specialist Audiences

  • Facilitator, The Artist's Way at UUCC, 2016.
  • Poetry Faculty, ShowMe Writers MasterClass, November 2016.
  • Instructor, Columbia Homeschool Resource Group Prose and Poetry Workshops, 2012.
  • Facilitator, The Artist's Way at Orr Street, 2009-2010.
  • Instructor, Poetry Workshop/Reading Contemporary Poetry. Columbia Area Career Center, 2009-2010.
  • Co-designer and co-teacher of Babes in Space: Women in Science Fiction as Authors and Objects, 1999-2000.
  • Graduate Student Instructor, University of Missouri, 1998-2001.

Experienced Arts Organizer

  • Organizer of the Artisan-Wordhound Poetry Slam series in Columbia, Missouri, 2002-2004.
  • Scheduling and publicity for coffeehouse readings in Omaha and in Hastings, Nebraska, 1996-1998.
  • Chief organizer of the now legendary *Solstice '97 at Carhenge: A Celebration of the Arts*.

Seasoned Writer: Sample Publications (Complete c.v. available on request)

  • Mystic Match Mystery novels featuring psychic sleuth Demeter West, available at Amazon.
  • Poetry chapbook, Mustang Sally Pays Her Debt to Wilson Pickett, published by Main Street Rag, 2005.
  • Poems in 5AM, Alligator Juniper, Cortland Review, Prairie Schooner, Rattle. Forthcoming in Form Quarterly and elsewhere.
  • Book Reviews in The Missouri Review and Pleiades.
  • Food, travel, business, education, and development articles in Mizzou SW, Midwest Traveler, Southern Traveler, Columbia Home, Columbia Business Times.

This article was updated on November 16, 2020

Hi Folks, We're still under construction here at the new website, so what's rolling up below is jumbled. Please be patient as we sort out all the new widgets! Thanks! Marta