September was another powerhouse of a month for our students and alumni! From debuts hitting shelves and making lists to landing top agencies and hosting film festivals, our community has made it their mission to go out into every corner of the literary world and leave their mark. Every month brings a new wave of exciting achievements from our crew, and September was no different. We couldn't be more proud of the writers who have come out of our program and who are still students with us. So check out all of the amazing stuff they got up to last month!
ANTONIO FARÍAS – Debut Novel Published
Antonio Farías’s debut novel, “In the Company of Wolves,” was published.
“A preteen explores what it means to be a man during a summer on the family ranch in New Mexico in Farías’ low-key debut novel . . . Languid in pace and rich in dialogue, this strongly characterized tale of self-discovery gently dissects adolescence through the lenses of war, familial lineage, and gender roles. A mellow, keenly observed coming-of-age journey.” -Kirkus Reviews
"In the Company of Wolves" | Kirkus Review
KAREN PARKER - Events
Karen Parker will be a panelist for Rainbow Space Magic's "Writing Queer MG & YA Stories" on October 5th.
Rainbow Space Magic is a free, two day online convention for writers and readers of queer speculative fiction.
They will also be Game Master for the Los Angeles Public Library's "Return to Earthseed" event on December 6.
Created by Angeleno game masters, this interactive role-playing adventure inhabits the world of Octavia Butler’s Parable series—a world afflicted by similar social, political, and environmental challenges we face. This gaming space allows players to co-create our own understanding of the hope, creativity, and resilience that shaped Octavia’s novel, Parable of the Talents.
Writing Queer MG & YA Stories | Rainbow Space Magic | Return to Earthseed | Author Website
ASPEN KLEPPE - Kickstarter
Aspen Kleppe co-wrote a narrative RPG project that has launched on Kickstarter.
Day After Day - Otome Narrative RPG: Build your character, break your curse, and choose between two handsome men in a fantasy world inspired by pirates and old nobility.
TJ TRANCHELL - Theater Performance
TJ Tranchell will be performing in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.
Oct 3rd-5th and Oct 10th-12th, The Richland Players will be putting on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. The story is told from the perspective of Newcomen, the inspector from Scotland Yard who is assigned to this case. He has the grim task of finding the murderous man or beast who has terrorized all of London.
MATTHEW HARRISON - Film Festival
Matthew Harrison’s 41st annual Film Crash film festival will be hosted at Laemmle Royal on October 11th.
Founded by Matthew Harrison, Karl Nussbaum and Scott Saunders in Manhattan’s East Village and Lower East Side, Film Crash is known for creating a vibrant film community encouraging people and ideas to “crash” together.
Join us for the 41st edition of the Film Crash film festival Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 10:00am. We meet again, for friendship, breakfast, movies, and screenplays at the beautiful Laemmle Royal Theatre in West Los Angeles. A 90 minute (or so) program of superb short films and screenplays from around the world, plus breakfast for a mere $13. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
IVO RAZA & FRAN DIMEO - Cast Announcements
Disney Channel alum Garrett Clayton joins Ivo Raza and Fran DiMeo’s thriller film "The Subscriber."
Clayton, Lisagaye Tomlinson (Good Trouble) and Mario Silva (The Freelancer) have joined the cast along with Ron Rogge (Stranger Things), Robin Curtis (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock), Kipp Tribble (Rebroken), Rajiv Shah (Pig Hunt) and Xiomara Yordan (Gina Yei), and more.
Hollywood Reporter Article | Ivo Raza Website | Fran DiMeo Website
STEPHANIE KOTIN - Essay Published
Stephanie Kotin’s essay, "Five Answers for the Modern Child," was published in Orion Magazine.
Five Answers for the Modern Child: A parent’s concessions in a changing climate - “Yes, you can have another popsicle. And yes, I do know that you already had one today. Thank you for telling me. But it’s so very hot outside. So, go ahead and grab another. We’re three days into one of the worst heat waves on record, and the power may go out at any moment. There’s ice cream in the freezer too. Cookies and cream, your favorite, a third of a pint, maybe more. Eat it all up—just this once—before it becomes soup.”
"Five Answers for the Modern Child" | Author LinkedIn
ASHLEY GRANILLO - Award Finalist
Ashley Granillo’s debut novel, "Cruzita and the Mariacheros," was named finalist in the International Latino Book Awards.
Empowering Latino Futures (ELF) recognizes excellence in literature through The Latino Book & Family Festivals and The International Latino Book Awards (ILBA). Authors, translators, and illustrators are honored for their books written in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
International Latino Book Awards |"Cruzita and the Mariacheros" | Author Website
SOPHIE ANN HINKSON – Short Story Published
Sophie Ann Hinkson’s short story, "Ghost Mom," was published in Night Shades Magazine.
“Ghost Mom lives in countries she has never visited. She’s the invisible worm that enters your ear and finds her way to your brain. She cannot reach your heart, though, and this is something that drives villains insane.”
MARIA D. DUARTE ORTIZ – Poetry Collection Published
Maria d. Duarte Ortiz’s debut poetry collection, “Into the Blue,” was published by Kelp Books.
In this debut collection of poetry from Maria d. Duarte Ortiz life in its trivialities, existential pain, and beguiling beauty is explored in a way only poetry can. With wit, determination, and a deep investigation in to the inner workings of this deleterious world we call home.
ASHLEY SANTANA – Included in Collection
Ashley Santana’s work was included in “Latin American Shared Stories (Beyond and Within)” with pre-orders now available.
From pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, via the powerful figure of Santa Muerte, to racism in the Bronx, this anthology of speculative stories and essays by Latin American writers, about Latin American life and beyond, is an engrossing and important read.
All B&N members receive 25% off upcoming releases by inputting code PREORDER25 at checkout!
“Latin American Shared Stories (Beyond and Within)”
JAIME PARKER STICKLE – Debut Novel Included in List
Jaime Parker Stickle’s debut novel, “Vicious Cycle,” was included in a list of 14 New Scary Books for Fall 2025.
If you want to get goosebumps, feel a little bit like someone’s watching you, and have you wishing for a night light at bedtime, you have to check out these new scary books to read in fall 2025.
"14 New Scary Books for Fall 2025" | "Vicious Cycle" Pre-Order | Author Website
NATASHIA DEÓN - Signed with Top Literary Agency
Natashia Deón signed with top literary agency Janklow & Nesbit for her third historical novel, “Birds of War.”
NAACP Image Award and Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy Award finalist and author of GRACE and THE PERISHING/ Natashia Deón’s BIRDS OF WAR, in which a Black woman struggling with ideas of liberty and freedom enlists in the war effort to escape her role as caregiver of the elderly, only to wind up in the middle of the pivotal D-Day battle; beginning in California in the 1920s to the run up to war, and pitched as inspired by the true story of the only Black regiment to land on the beaches of Normandy, again to Dan Smetana at Counterpoint, in and excusive submission, for publication in fall 2026 by Hafizah Geter at Janklow & Nesbi (NA). -Publishers Marketplace
Janklow & Nesbit | Author Website
SEAN MCCOY – Screenplay Finalist
Sean McCoy’s screenplay, “Handler,” was named as a finalist in the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards for original TV Screenplays.
This is the only screenplay competition founded by a team of working Hollywood professionals with more than 1,000 produced credits and a century of collective industry experience. Their roster of Senior Judges includes multiple Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and WGA Award Winners.
Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards
CAITLIN MCKENNA & KENDALL BRUNSON – Short Stories Published
Caitlin McKenna & Kendall Brunson both had short stories included in “On Fire and Under Water: A Climate Change Crime Fiction Anthology.”
In On Fire and Under Water, the new crime fiction anthology from Rock and a Hard Place Press, we explore the intersection of climate change and crime, through the lens of fifteen short stories from some of today’s best crime fiction writers.
"On Fire and Under Water" | Caitlin McKenna Website
RACHEL SPALDING - Teaching Position, Writers Scholarship
Rachel Spalding was named Adjunct Professor of English at Los Angeles Pierce College and Los Angeles Valley College and received a scholarship to attend the Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow.
The mission of the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) is to nurture writers of all backgrounds, genres, and levels of experience in a supportive environment that builds community, stimulates new thinking, energizes creative expression, and optimizes productivity.
Los Angeles Pierce College | Los Angeles Valley College | Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow
Are you a student, alum, or professor with amazing news we should be shouting about? Email heather.scheeler@ucr.edu with all of your new awards, publications, articles, and anything else incredible that deserves a shout out!