Washington Square On Air

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 websi...

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 _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review  Melissa's Website: Adventures in MF...

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 _________...

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...

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....

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 _____________...

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   Re...

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 l...

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 , appea...

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 . Ri...

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...

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 Rev...

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 uni...

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 Moth...

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 Washi...

Pharmacist turned prolific author Mark Putzi sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A writer of short stories and poems who appreciates the courage of living through life’s dark times, Putzi shares his thoughts on the importance of being arrogant and why there are times when writers don’t need friends.  Mark Putzi’s poem, When They Come, appears in the Summer 2024...

Multi-genre writer Jack Johnson meets up with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. History, culture, and politics come together in the work of Johnson who reflects on research rabbit holes, the creative benefits of digging in the dirt, and life in Richmond Virginia.  Jack’s blog Jack on Facebook Jack Johnson’s story, The Gardener , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washi...

London-based author Lorcán Black chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A writer who delves into conflicting emotions, reflects on crafting political poems that are more emotional than political, honoring a creative process that defies definition and reveals unknown aspects of life in Ireland.  Lorcán Black’s poem, Sweetbread , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the...

Accountant turned poet L Lois talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. An author who doesn’t hesitate to write through the darker sides of life, L Lois reveals how a chance meeting with a writer led her to discover the healing magic of poetry. A prolific writer who is dedicated to supporting others, she marvels at the beauty of a poem's white space and the power of words not...

MFA student Jill Bronfman sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Bronfman, who has been writing a poem every morning for over a year, chats about fostering rabbits during Covid, balancing writing with life’s other obligations, and tells the story of writing her first novel.   Jill Bronfman’s poem, She Read It Wrong , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Wa...

Lifelong advocate for justice, Paul Grussendorf meets up with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A career as an attorney representing refugees and asylum seekers gives Grussendorf unique insight into our legal system and how it impacts individuals and families. He offers surprising information on the legal system and the backdrop for Zora Neal Hurston’s novel Barracoon .  Pa...

Artist and writer Amanda Gattshall meets up with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Environmental scientist, researcher, and writer, Gattshall shares fun facts about sea turtles, muses about cute little robots, what it means to be human, and how Dungeons and Dragons influences her perspective on story building and characterization.  Amanda Gattshall’s story, Sanctuary , appe...

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....

Jennifer Matson, a composition student and creative writer, shares her journey into writing and the evolution of her craft with host Melissa Ford Lucken. From her early days of scribbling stories as a child to her current aspirations of becoming a published author, Jennifer reflects on the importance of having a voice and expressing her thoughts through writing. She discusses the challenges of bal...

Artist and writer Leonardo Chung chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Boarding school resident and magazine editor-in-chief Chung explores tropes in genre fiction, the importance of making friends in new environments, and how badly Chat GPT writes poetry.  Leonardo Chung’s poem, haute cuisine & hyperboles , appears in the Summer 2024 issue of the Washington Squa...