JoAnna Novak

JoAnna Novak is an Associate Professor specializing in Creative Writing and Poetry. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing - Poetry from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, an MFA in Creative Writing - Fiction from Washington University in St. Louis, and a BA in Creative Writing from Knox College. Her work spans poetry, novels, and memoirs, focusing on themes such as art, motherhood, mental health, and identity.

• Education: MFA (UMass Amherst), MFA (Washington University), BA (Knox College)

Her research interests include exploring the intersections of creativity, domesticity, and identity through literary forms. She has published extensively, including the award-winning short story collection Meaningful Work (winner of the Ronald Sukenick Contest) and the memoir Contradiction Days, which examines art-making amid maternal transition.

Her recent book Domestirexia: Poems (2024) reimagines domestic spaces through a lens of tension and contradiction. Earlier works like New Life (2020) and Noirmania (2018) showcase her poetic exploration of existential themes.

• Awards: Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest (2017)

Teaching emphasizes experimental writing processes, with a focus on fostering sustainable creative practices. No formal grants or advising roles are listed, but her literary output reflects deep engagement with narrative and poetic craft.