Alumni Spotlight: Courtney Leigh Jameson

1)    How did you find your way to Saint Mary’s MFA Program?

I was inspired to get my MFA by a poetry teacher of mine from my undergrad, Beckian Fritz Goldberg. When I found Saint Mary’s, she had much praise for Brenda Hillman and encouraged me to apply. It was the only MFA prog ram I applied to and was extremely relieved to have been accepted. Not to mention, it’s the Bay Area, which is by far, the best area I have ever lived in.

2)    What was your most memorable experience as a student at Saint Mary’s?

The people. It’s the thing I miss the most. Getting together with your fellow writers (genre specific AND cross genre) to workshop poems, go to readings, sing karaoke, bar hop, etc. etc. I met some life-long friends and colleagues and I will always take that away from being in the program.

3)    Can you talk about your relationship to writing since you have graduated?

I am still actively writing and publishing poems; while slowly putting a chapbook together. I definitely think my writing has gotten even “weirder” since graduating, but I’m going with it.

4)    What is the unique thing you have done with your MFA degree?

Put it on my fridge.

5)    What would you like your fellow alumni to look out for?

A.    Book/web/magazine/literary journal publication? Other professional announcement? Personal announcement?

I currently have poems published in Cowboy Poetry Press, Similar:Peaks::, FLARE: Flagler Review, Clockwise Cat, and Crack The Spine.

Look forward to my forthcoming publications in Danse Macabre, Slipstream Press, Sierra Nevada Review, and Gone Lawn; as well as Rachel Burns’ interview with me in Last Women’s Magazine.

Also, check out the new bi-annual prose and poetry journal White Stag, run by KT Gutting (Poetry, 2013) and myself! Submit to any of our themed issues throughout the year. #leadthemtotheotherworld #beyondthetaboo