Alyssa VanPelt-Cathcart, Staff Writer
The SUNY Oneonta Literature Conference is hosted and student-led by the New Critics, New Writers course taught by Dr. Suzanne Black. After receiving her PhD from the University of Michigan, Dr. Black “came to Oneonta in Fall 2008 after working in Indiana and Minnesota. She teaches courses in Modern World and British Literature, Professional Writing, and Composition. In addition to her background in French and Comparative Literature, she has an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and experience as a grant writer,” according to her bio listed on the SUNY Oneonta English Department page. Dr. Black’s teaching allows her students to give their input on what they would like to learn while still following the curriculum.
The conference is to take place between Apr. 21 to May 5 in Craven Lounge located in Morris Hall. Students were to submit an abstract by Mar. 21 to Dr. Black with topics of Remembering David Lynch (1946-2025), Remembering David Lodge (1935- 2025), Literature and Film, Literature and Music, Horror in Literature (Film, Music, & Theater), Children’s & YA Literature, Book Bans & Censorship, and any finished or in-progress creative work.
There are expected to be speakers at the conference. One guest is Sam Rebelein, author of Edenville: A Novel and The Poorly Made and Other Things. Both books would be classified as horror with their creepy aesthetic and chilling plot. According to his author’s page, Rebelein “holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College (with a focus on Horror and Memoir), a certificate of graduation from the Lubbock Area Square & Round Dance Federation, and that one trophy in The Last of Us Part II for when you beat the game on permadeath mode.” He is both an inspiration to new writers while remaining down-to-earth with his sense of humor. When he’s not on tour for one of his books, Rebelein tutors at the Writing Center at Dutchess Community College.
The conference is an excellent opportunity to network with other writers and lovers of literature. Dr. Black’s class has created an Instagram for people to follow and stay up-to-date with the conference. Many of the students and faculty are involved in the event, so don’t miss the opportunity to go to one of their sessions. You follow them on Instagram @oneonta.critics_writers.
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