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WIU alumna Juliana Goodman
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WIU Alumna Named Tulsa Artist Fellow in Literary Arts and Signs Two-Book Contract

November 16, 2020

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MACOMB, IL – A Western Illinois University alumna has been named a Tulsa Artist Fellow in Literary Arts and recently signed a two-book deal to write a novel for young adults.

Juliana Goodman, a 2014 graduate with a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in creative writing, is a visiting assistant professor of English at the University of Tulsa, where she teaches creative writing. Her debut novel is scheduled to be released in Spring 2022.

Goodman said her study of English at Western is helping her succeed in her career.

"I always loved reading and writing and it was the one subject I knew I could be good at," she said. "By becoming a stronger writer, creatively and academically, and with the support of the English faculty, I was more than prepared for graduate school. Being taught and nurtured by the dedicated professors at WIU helped me to become the professor and writer I am today. Having a strong group of people behind me who supported my dreams gave me the confidence I needed to reach my career goals."

At WIU, Goodman was co-editor of "Elements" literary magazine and said she enjoyed creative writing workshops she took with English Professor Erika Wurth and Assistant Professor Barbara Lawhorn.

"For the first time, I felt nurtured as a writer, student and an individual," she said.

Goodman encourages current WIU students to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself and to get to know their professors.

"They love seeing their students do well, and building good relationships with them can really change your life," she said. "It changed mine, and I can 100 percent say that there's nothing I would change about the amazing years I spent as an English major at Western Illinois University."

For more information about WIU's Department of English, visit wiu.edu/English.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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