Visiting Writers Series to Feature Jennifer Murvin

For Jennifer Murvin, short stories pack a powerful punch.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will welcome the award-winning writer to share her work and perspective on storytelling as the next guest in its Visiting Writers Series from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall.

Murvin is the author of “She Says” and “False Alarm,” both chapbooks – small, printed booklets – as well as the recently released story collection “Real California Living.” Inspired by her experiences growing up in Southern California and living in Missouri, the collection explores themes of motherhood, coming of age and navigating different places and stages of life.

Murvin’s fiction, nonfiction and graphic narratives have appeared in numerous literary journals. Her honors include the 2024 Multimedia Essay Prize from “Fourth Genre” and the 2015 American Short(er) Fiction Contest.

She has a particular appreciation for short fiction and its ability to leave a lasting impression on readers. In an interview with 417 Magazine, she described short stories as “a little gut punch” that can haunt readers long after they finish. Her interest in the form also informs her work as a teacher, where reading and discussing stories with students has deepened her appreciation for the craft.

An associate professor of English and assistant department head at Missouri State University, Murvin teaches creative writing and literature. She also teaches in the Solstice Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program and owned Pagination Bookshop in Springfield, Missouri. Through teaching and bookselling, she has seen how sharing stories can connect people, spark conversations and sustain a community of readers.

Enjoy an afternoon of stories and conversation with Murvin; the event is free and open to the public. Learn more about Murvin’s Visiting Writers Series event and explore upcoming events.