Kirk Distinguished Writer-in-Residence Program

Agnes Scott’s Kirk Writer-in-Residence Program is a signature of our distinctive creative writing program. Each fall,we host a distinguished writer on campus to teach a course to Agnes Scott students and give a public reading of their work. This unique opportunity allows Agnes Scott students the chance to learn and write with some of the most celebrated and interesting writers working today. Writers-in-Residence teach a course, visit other in-session classes, and give a public reading with book signing.

The English Department at Agnes Scott College is thrilled to welcome Angie Cruz as Kirk Distinguished Writer-in-Residence in the fall of 2023.

Angie Cruz is a novelist and editor. Her most recent novel is How Not To Drown in A Glass of Water (2022). Among its many recognitions, it was shortlisted by The Aspen Words Literary Prize, winner of the Gold Medal, Latino Book Award/The Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Book Award, and longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Literary Prize. Her novel Dominicana was the inaugural book pick for GMA book club and shortlisted for The Women’s Prize, among other recognitions. Cruz is also the author of Soledad and Let It Rain Coffee and the recipient of numerous fellowships and residencies. She's the founder and editor-in-chief of the literary journal Aster(ix) and is currently an Associate Professor at University of Pittsburgh.

The Kirk Writer-in-Residence Program is made possible by the James T. and Ella Rather Kirk Fund, which was established by alumna, artist, writer, and trustee Mary Wallace Kirk, in honor of her parents. The Kirk Fund supports and enriches academic programs in history, music, literature, art, and philosophy.

Previous Kirk Writers-in-Residence:

• October 2014: Pam Houston taught “Turning the Physical World into Story.”
• October 2015: Monique Truong taught “Writing Plenty, Writing Hunger.”
• October 2016: Richard Blanco taught “Tasting Life Twice: Writing Your Universal Story.”
• Fall semester 2017: Melissa Fay Greene, “Short-Form Literary Journalism.”
• Fall semester 2018: Melissa Fay Greene, “Short-Form Literary Journalism.”
• Spring semester 2019: Melissa Fay Greene, “Long-Form Literary Journalism.”
• October 2019: William Boyle taught “Reading and Writing Noir.”
• November 2019: Aracelis Girmay taught “On Poetry.”
• November 2020: Christine Schutt, "How Does a Story Mean?"
• October 2021:  Aminatta Forna, "Creative Nonfiction Workshop"
• October 2022: Roger Reeves, "Poetry Workshop"