Friedman Takes Lead of Southern Miss Center for Writers

Tue, 08/13/2024 - 04:35pm | By: David Tisdale

A University of Southern Mississippi (USM) College of Arts and Sciences faculty member widely acclaimed for her award-winning work in the literary genres of fiction and poetry is the new director of the school’s prestigious Center for Writers. 

Dr. Olivia Clare Friedman, associate professor in the USM School of Humanities’ English program and a faculty member in the Center, officially begins as director this fall. The Baton Rouge, La. native has been published in The Paris Review and The Atlantic among other prominent publications, and her work has earned multiple national awards and fellowships. She joined the University’s faculty in 2018 and was a recipient of its prestigious Nina Bell Suggs Endowed Professorship for junior faculty members.

“I'm delighted to be appointed,” said Dr. Friedman. “I knew of the program's outstanding reputation long before I arrived at Southern Miss.”

Dr. Friedman holds degrees in both fiction and poetry; her work in fiction has been recognized with the O. Henry Prize, a Pushcart Prize, and a Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer’s Award. Her poetry has earned her the Ruth Lilly Fellowship from the Poetry Foundation and the Olive B. O'Connor Fellowship from Colgate University. She has also been awarded fellowships from MacDowell, Vermont Studio Center, the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, and Tin House.

She is the author of three books: the novel Here Lies (Grove Atlantic), a short story collection titled Disasters in the First World (Black Cat/Grove Atlantic), and a book of poems titled The 26-Hour Day (New Issues). In February 2025 a fourth book, An Arm Fixed to a Wing, a book of poems, will be released by LSU Press. Her stories have also been published in Granta, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, The Southern Review, ZYZZYVA, and elsewhere; her poems have appeared in The Southern Review, Poetry, and other journals. 

Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Matthew Casey, director of the School of Humanities, look forward to seeing the fruits of Dr. Friedman’s work with the Center’s students and faculty.

“The Center for Writers plays a key role in our English programs and is central to our emphasis in Creative Writing,” Dr. Winstead said. “Dr. Friedman is a well-regarded author in her own right and will bring that expertise to the Center and our students. I’m excited for her leadership and look forward to the continuing excellence of this premier program.”

Dr. Casey described Dr. Friedman as “an established novelist and poet, who has already added prestige to the renowned Center for Writers through her writing, outreach, public readings, and teaching.” “I'm confident about the coming years with her at the helm," he said.

Her goals as director of the Center include increasing its visibility at the national level and arranging events for its students on the topics of publication, artist residencies/fellowships, and conference presentations. “Focus on the creative work comes first, of course, but I want our students to feel prepared in these other areas,” she explained.  

She praised her Center colleagues as “first-rate in publishing and teaching,” while noting their ardent desire for their students to succeed. “We want them to ​grow, grow, grow, and to honor their talent, hone their skills, seek opportunities, and remain open to luck,” Dr. Friedman said, while also advising them that “The Muse will visit, but you must be ready.” 

Keri Miller of Eustis, Fla., a doctoral candidate, says her writing has improved significantly under Dr. Friedman's mentorship.

“She is honest with her feedback, but she is also kind,” Miller further noted. “She is generous with guidance, but she also trusts her students to follow their instincts. As evidenced through her work in both fiction and poetry, Dr. Friedman is multi-talented, and she'll bring all her gifts to her new position as director of the Center for Writers.”

Two of the Center’s faculty members concur with Miller’s sentiments, including Dr. Monika Gehlawat, who also serves as associate director of the School of Humanities; and Dr. Angela Ball, a veteran professor with more than 40 years of service to the University. 

“I look forward to collaborating with a dynamic and accomplished colleague like Olivia,” Dr. Gehlawat said. “Her nationwide literary reputation, impeccable professionalism, and ambitious vision for the Center will help us to continue to recruit talented writers to the program. I have full confidence in her competence as a leader and personally admire her authentic dedication to creative writing in all its forms.” 

Dr. Ball hailed Dr. Friedman for her outstanding work in fiction and poetry, describing her colleague as a “virtuoso” in both literary genres and an excellent choice to serve as head of the Center.

“Olivia is a writer and teacher of great skill and enthusiasm,” she continued. “I look forward to her ideas as she takes on the directorship; I know she will be inspired and inspiring in her new role.” 

Founded by former USM faculty member Frederick Barthelme, the Center for Writers was established in 1977. Learn more about the Center, its programs and the work of its award-winning faculty.