Matthew Prickett, current M.A. student, Farmville, Va.

His essay "Don't Drink the Water: Colonialism and Pete Hautman's Godless" appeared in the online journal of children's literature, The Looking Glass (vol. 12., no. 1: January 2008), and he has two essays forthcoming in anthologies: "'I'm a fairy, too!': Queer Identity in Francesca Lia Block's I Was a Teenage Fairy" in Queering the Fantastic, edited by Robin Anne Reid and Jes Battis; and "Savage Sexuality: Construction of Male Victims in Contemporary YA Literature" in an as yet untitled volume edited by Annette Wannamaker.

Valerie Patterson, M.F.A. '08, Leesburg, Va.

Her teen novel The Other Side of Blue was published by Clarion in Fall '09!

Heath Gibson, M.F.A. '09, Atlanta, Ga.

"I chose Hollins because I wanted to be a part of a program that took the study and writing of children’s literature as seriously as I do. I wanted a graduate program that would stretch me further than I was capable or willing to stretch myself. And I have not been disappointed. The environment is perfect – challenging, supportive, creative. Hollins’ children’s literature program has allowed me to grow creatively, academically, and professionally. Unfortunately, there are some great things about Hollins that can’t be put into words. They have to be experienced. I am just glad I have been one of lucky ones to attend. But I know my time at Hollins will allow me to be a lifelong creator of children’s literature and advocate for the genre."

His first novel, Gigged, was published by Flux in 2010.

Hillary Homzie, M.A. '98, Napa, Calif.
Author of Things Are Gonna Get Ugly and The Hot List

"Hollins is where I was given the freedom to read, write and call myself a writer. It’s where I’ve found some of my best friends -- writers and scholars who support me in my career and inspire me to always reach higher.

"My professors at Hollins engaged me completely. It wasn’t all about I’m a brilliant professor hear me roar; it was what do you think? And they honestly seemed to want to know -- which made me want to know.

"For me Hollins was a sanctuary, where I could experiment with words and ideas in a non-competitive, nurturing environment.  

"With small class sizes, and an outrageously supportive faculty, I felt as if I had discovered my own personal Oz. Hollins is real and magical because the faculty and students make it so."

PHOTO: Amie Rose Rotruck (with puppet she made). She won the Shirley Henn Award for Critical Scholarship at the Francelia Butler Conference.