By Rachel Bolton
Managing Editor
The College of Saint Rose’s MFA in creative writing program has launched its literary journal, the Pine Hills Review. Established in July 2014, the journal had its launch event at the Esther Massry Gallery on Sept. 5. Writers Elisa Albert and Greg Pardlo read from their recent work.
The Chronicle spoke to Jennifer Austin, a senior editor for the magazine. Austin, who is an adjunct professor at Saint Rose in the English department, is also a Master of Fine Art student.
“We are very serious about publishing artful work, works that move people,” said Austin.
The Chronicle also spoke to English professors Daniel Nester and Dr. Barbara Ungar about the Pine Hills Review, and how they hope it brings attention to the College’s MFA in creative writing program.
Regarding the goals of the journal, Professor Nester said it was “to be well known, to be part of the literary conversation.”
Dr. Ungar said that she hopes the Pine Hills Review will “bring more exposure to the writers in the Capital District.”
The reading took place inside the Esther Massry Gallery, where the faculty art show is on display. Audience members sat on the floor to listen.
The Chronicle was able to speak to both Elisa Albert and Greg Pardlo. Albert is a resident of Albany, and read from her forthcoming novel After Birth, published by Hougton Mifflin. The novel is about postpartum depression.
Albert said she chose the topic because postpartum depression “doesn’t get talked about in an interesting way, and that fiction is the best way to get at issues.” After the reading, Albert said that her book was about 35 percent based on real life.
Greg Pardlo was the second reader of the evening, and read from his book of poetry, Totem. Pardlo was the visiting writer at The College of Saint Rose last semester. He read poems about life, parenting, and tattoos.
When The Chronicle asked why he picked those poems to read, he said, “In my experience they are crowd pleasers. I wanted to create a context for a poem I’m not sure about.”
The Chronicle talked to Dan Wilcox about the reading. Wilcox hosts the Third Thursday Poetry Night at the Social Justice Center in downtown Albany.
He said, “I think it’s wonderful that Albany has [the Pine Hills Review], because there are plenty of spoken word venues and not as many print venues.” Besides the Third Thursday Poetry Night, Albany also has the Nitty Gritty Slam at The Low Beat.
The Pine Hills Review has a website at pinehillsreview.strose.edu.
