Washington Square On Air

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

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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.

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Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand

Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken

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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 In...

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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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 availabl...

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

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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

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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

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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

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Artist and comic archivist Jerico Woggon chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Woggon, grandson of Ink Pot award recipient Bill Woggon who created the Archie comics’ character Katy Keene, inherited his grandfather’s decades old research, original art, and documents collection. While the mission of organizing the truckload of materials into an archive is new and ongoing, this artist has been living and leading in creative worlds his entire life.

Note: The Katy Keene character discussed in this episode is the same character of the CW’s short-lived Katy Keene television series.

Jerico...

Bulgarian writing partners, Radus & Mareto, chat with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. The creative partners explore how the intersection of history and myth provoke thought, the importance of reflecting on the human condition, and why writing novel length works is easier than writing short stories.

Radus & Mareto’s story, The Orphans, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Radus & Mareto on Facebook

Radus & Maretos’ book series publisher

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Western Michigan University’s Writing Center’s Assistant Director Christopher Russel chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. An author who has work-shopped manuscripts as both an undergraduate and graduate student as well as worked collaboratively with writers through his work at WMU’s Writing Center, Russell demystifies writer’s block and breaks down the best strategies for ensuring an inspiring and successful workshop experience by honoring your own creative process and meeting yourself where you are.

Christopher Russel’s story, Fifteen Minutes, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Christophe...

Columbia University graduate student Ashni Math sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A writer who prefers to ignore definitional boundaries, Math explores the similarities of poetry and creative non-fiction, shares her lessons learned from work as a poetry editor, and offers her perspective on what makes a successful college application essay.

Ashni Math’s story, Pastoral, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Ashni’s website

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Debut fiction author and accidental memoirist Michelle Slater talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Slater, whose first novel, The Lunatic, tackles the tough truth about invasive technology and the potential grip it has on our lives, is no stranger to difficult topics. Each of her memoirs goes against conventional wisdom and challenges modern culture’s scientific assumptions.

Michelle on Instagram

Michelle’s website

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Author, artist, and life-long creative, Timothy Dodd talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. West Viginian native and world traveler, Dodd examines the creative differences between poetry, fiction, and art, the magic of nostalgia, and the mysterious ways new experiences generate ideas and inspiration.

Timothy Dodd’s story, The Darlene Conspiracy, and poem, Skyeaters, appear in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Timothy on Instagram

Timothy’s Wordpress

Timothy on Amazon

Timothy on Goodreads

Timothy’s art website

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Author Dylan Hoover chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A writer who has workshopped his stories internationally, Hoover reflects on the difficulties of crafting dialogue, the importance of placing emotion in the center of a story, and puzzles over the continued devaluing of historical fiction in literary communities. 

Dylan Hoover’s story, Aztec, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Dylan on Instagram

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Professor, student advocate, and writer, Deanna Oudelha, sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A teacher and student who loves learning and teaching, Oudelha breaks down the hidden beauty of the English language, her frustration with academic gatekeeping, and how she embraces all possibilities in her work with first year students at the University of Omaha.

Deanna Oudelha’s flash essay, I am humming, a living thing woven into countless lives among many, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Deanna's website

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Former combat U.S. Marine and lover of poetry, Grady VanWright, talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A lifelong writer, VanWright explores the differences between therapeutic writing created for the self and polished writing created for an audience, learning how to use feedback from other writers, and the beauty of having time later in life to dedicate to craft.

Grady VanWright’s story, The Wormhole Killers, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Grady on Instagram

Grady on Facebook

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Interdisciplinary creative, Renée LoBue, sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. An experienced recording artist who has performed all over the world, reveals the surprising power of harsh rejection, the beauty of creating works across mediums, and the importance of the often overlooked development of the artist.   

Renée LoBue’s story, Mountainside Pool, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Renée on Instagram

Renée’s Linktree

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Lifelong writer, newly published author, Michael Feeny, chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A former corrections officer, Feeny creates stories about people meeting in dark places and how the unexpected, profound experiences of life reveal the unique characteristics that result in complex humans.

Michael Feeney’s story, Across the River Styx, appears in the Summer 2025 issue of the Washington Square Review.

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Lifelong writer of books for toddlers to teens, Annie Fox, talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Fox, who published her first book before she was old enough to sign the book contract, describes her approach to meeting readers where they are, reflects on  the emotional beauty of nature, and surprising lessons learned while replying to the hundreds of advice-seeking letters she’s received over the years.

Annie on BlueSky

Annie on Instagram

Annie’s website

Annie’s book Leeta Simtar: A Life on Two Planets

Annie’s book Pe...

Crime journalist and memoirist, Gina Tron, sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Tron, whose third memoir recounts her high school experience of being labeled a "school shooter,” describes how she blends research, real life, and creativity into her writing and explores the unexpected rewards of sharing shameful and embarrassing experiences.

Gina on Instagram

Gina on Bluesky

Gina's website

Gina’s book Suspect

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Screenwriter turned novelist, New York native Alex R Johnson chats with Washington Square Review editor, Melissa Ford Lucken. Johnson, who wrote his first novel, Brooklyn Motto after establishing himself as a film writer, reveals hidden truths about being a working screen writer and reflects on how life’s turning points can motivate creativity.

Alex on Instagram

Alex on Bluesky

Alex’s book’s website

Alex’s film website

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Lansing Community College student Nicole Hunt chats with creating writing professor Melissa Ford Lucken. Hunt, a published multi-genre author, breaks down the elements of successful writer workshopping, tackling new genres, and the importance of building a creative support system.

Nicole’s website

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Lansing Community College faculty John Beery sits down with creating writing professor Melissa Ford Lucken. Multi-published author and master auto mechanic Beery describes his interest in the often maligned second person point of view, coming to college later in life, and how living in a small midwestern town influences his writing and perspective.

John on Instagram 

John’s website

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Former gambler, current professional dog trainer and life-long creative M.K. Punky chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Punky, aka Konik, once a high stakes gambler, discusses how evaluating his intentions led him to living a very different life–one as a professional dog trainer. A lifelong writer, he muses over how his journalist mindset has contributed to his creative vision.

M.K. Punky’s poem, Married to a Crystal Ball, appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review.

MK Punky’s author website

MK Punky’s dog training...

Lansing Community College student Isaiah Wummel shares his educational journey with Professor Melissa Ford Lucken. Wummel, who became a “foster kid” at the age of 14, offers an inside view of how constantly changing schools, being forced to adjust to ever-changing living conditions, and negotiating multiple systems requires a person to craft their own unique set of creative problem solving skills.

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Independent bookstore owner, researcher, and scholar Matt Grossmant sits down  with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Grossman, owner of Lansing’s wine bar, cafe, bookstore Hooked tells tales about running an independent bookstore and offers insights on the inner workings of this unique business.

Hooked’s website

Hooked on Instagram

Matt Grossman’s Scholarship

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Women’s fiction author Reem Kashat meets up with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Joined by fellow author and long term friend Aliza Mann, Kashat shares insights on successful author branding via social media, developing a strong and unique writer voice, and argues with her writer bestie, Aliza, about Alexander Skarsgard. 

Reem’s link tree 

Sage’s link tree 

Reem’s book, Forgive & Remember

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Romance author Aliza Mann sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Joined by her long-time friend and fellow author Reem Kashat, Mann shares a journey which took her from corporate manager to writer, reveals some hidden realities of being a career-building author, and talks about how she and now bestie Kashat started out as work-place enemies. 

Aliza’s web

Aliza’s link tree

Patty B Comedy on TikTok

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MFA student Jill Bronfman returns to chat again with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken about feminist fiction and its place in the literary world. Bronfman shares her perspective on the current trends in publishing, 3 ways to determine if a book is feminist, and discusses the potential merits of the romance novel “bare chest” cover.

Jill Bronfman’s poem, She Read It Wrong, appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Jill’s website

Jill’s LinkedIn

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Bukowski scholar and poet Rich Glinnen talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Glinnen muses over the importance of daily writing (even when in a lazy funk), how a writer’s voice develops over time, and what to do when your poem is actually a short story in disguise. 

Rich Glinnen’s poem, “Neptune,” appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Rich on Tumblr

Rich on Instagram

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Self-taught multi-genre writer Harrison Zeiberg talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. This playwright reflects on watching his play, We the People, be performed, describes how the experience gave him new insight into the writing process, and considers the importance of creativity in his busy life.   

Harrison Zeiberg’s story, The Patrolman, appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Harrison on LinkedIn

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Professor Jerry Wemple talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A multi-published author who experienced the tumultuous times of the 1970’s while growing up in several states, reflects on how he has seen communities handle traumatic events and the joys of teaching over the decades.

Jerry Wemple’s story, Bus Stop, appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Jerry on Instagram

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Poet and assistant Director of the Solstice MFA in creative writing program Quintin Collins talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Collins tells the story of the happy accidents that introduced him to poetry and the community that became his literary home. He also provides inside information on MFA programs: how to apply, what to expect, and how to make the most of the unique opportunity.

Quintin on Instagram

Quintin’s MFA program website

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MFA student Benjamin Clabault talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A composition instructor and freelance writer, Clabault is intrigued by the ways myths travel through cultures and how individuals integrate those myths into their own lives. He chats about those interests and how he entered the literary world by way of sociology. 

Benjamin Clabault’s story, The Mothman and la Llorona, appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Website: Benjamin Clabault

Benjamin on X (Twitter)

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Kuwait-based AR Arthur talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Living in the UK, the United States, the Netherlands, and Kuwait and coming from a multicultural, multiracial family, Arthur has a unique perspective on concepts of productivity, respect, and what it means to be a writer in the world.

AR Arthur’s poem, Productivity, appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Square Review.

X (Twitter): AR Arthur

TikTok: AR Arthur

Website: AR Arthur's Blog

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Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFA...