Poetry Friday: Hollins Recap
Jane at Rain City Librarian is hosting this week. Hop on over there for the roundup.
Hollins Recap
Last week, just after getting off a red-eye from the Nevermores’ retreat on the West Coast, I drove to Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. I lived in Roanoke for more than 20 years. I also went to graduate school at Hollins. It was a joy to be back on campus for some of that Hollins magic.
I gave a “Lunch and Learn” talk about my process about One Step Forward. In a full circle moment, I met someone who had a huge impact on the book by giving me feedback at a critical stage. I knew she had gone on to Hollins, but we’d never met in person.
I’m chatting with Meighan Sharp and a student who also says research is her jam. 🙂
Later I got to join the Faculty and Alumni Annual Book Launch Party where we got to talk a little bit about our new books.
The next morning, I spoke with Summer Scholar students about my book. Every student got a copy of my book, and they had discussed it (as evidenced on this white board) before I got there. They had amazing questions.
I’m so grateful to local indie bookstore Rainy Day Reads who sold my books and asked me to sign some for their new storefront downtown Roanoke.
Historical Novel Society Review
While I was at Hollins, former Director of Children’s Literature Program Amanda Cockrell, let me know that ONE STEP FORWARD had been reviewed by the Historical Novel Society. It received an Editor’s Choice Selection.
The full text of the review is here.
Haiku of the Week
return to home—
the place where rain
brings fairies
Photo Taken: July 28, 2025 in the woods near Maggie Valley, NC
Haiku Written: July 31, 2025
Recreate
I’ve been doing a lot of recreating this week–reading, sleeping, listening to water run over rocks in the creek, exploring landscapes. But I’ve done almost no writing. I’ve traveled a lot in July. I’ll be returning home soon, my creativity filled and ready to be poured out again.
17 Comments
Tabatha
Giving you a high-five for your amazing trip to Hollins and your Editor’s Choice Selection designation! Let’s go! I really like your haiku, too.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you, Tabatha!
Linda Mitchell
How wonderful! I love that editor’s choice review and that new writers at Hollins got to meet and speak with you. My goodness, your book is hitting multiple home runs. Way to go, Marcie!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It was so lovely to be back!
Patricia Franz
So happy for you that ONE STEP FORWARD was so well received at Hollins. Hope that well deserved rest fills your cup! I finished IS A RIVER ALIVE? this week. POW!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh I can’t wait to keep reading. I haven’t finished IS A RIVER ALIVE? yet. It’s so good.
Karen Edmisten
What a beautiful, rewarding, and soul-filling trip, Marcie!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
It was wonderful!
Molly Hogan
Your Hollins experience sounds wonderful! Congratulations on that and also on the Editor’s Choice recognition. It’s lovely to read about all your happy news!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Thank you! I feel so fortunate!
Mary Lee
What a perfect setting for the reading of IS A RIVER ALIVE?! I just finished re-reading it (the first reading was a listen). I’m in awe of his writing, and so glad he is young! Lots more books, please, Mr. Macfarlane!!
And lots more books from you, too! It is such an inspiration to see One Step Forward making such a splash. It is the right book at the right time. Here’s to your continued success!!
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh yes, I’ve read and listened to the same book by him as well. I think I listened to him read LANDMARKS.
Catherine Flynn
Congratulations on the success of your new book! It sounds like a book my middle school students will love. I’m also reading Is A River Alive and am in awe of McFarlane’s writing.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Oh yes, his writing is AMAZING! And his backlist is worth exploring.
Heidi Mordhorst
Marcie, the thrill of your homecoming to Hollins is evident–and notes about YOUR BOOK on the board? You have truly arrived! I hope your travel has refueled you for the next big thing. To follow up on another item–I did attend the Georgia Heard workshop with Carter and found him very interesting. You were mentioned (!<3) and he is closed to queries until September 1 because apparently he's received 500 since he opened his "shop." Congrats for being one of the first through the door! And now I have my deadline and a sense of what would be best to finish off and send. Thanks for your advice on that.
Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Yay! I love a good deadline! I hope the workshop was helpful.
Jan
Lucky Hollins to host you, on your important feminist book, with your so many decades of connection in Roanoke & later the summers, in grad. program. The H. magic stays with me always & a blog like this evokes it easily. Amanda’s name brings a smile to my heart.
I’m guessing your email is enriched with new H. tudent connections as a result of your taking time to “Go Home to Hollins” Marcie. Big BRAVA!