aumminge@westga.edu
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. in English, Indiana University, 2004.
M.A. in English, University of Missouri, 2000 (coursework completed 1994-6).
M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1999.
B.A., in History, cum laude, Harvard University, 1992.
MFA THESIS:
Director: Alyce Miller. Committee Members: Tony Ardizzone, Maura Stanton.
Title: Alien Life, a collection of short stories and novella.
Ph.D. DISSERTATION:
Director: Susan Gubar. Committee Members: John Eakin, George Hutchinson,
Alyce Miller, and Laura Yow.
Title: Self-Loathing Whiteness: Race and Masochism in White Women’s
Writing of the Mid-20th Century.
CREATIVE PUBLICATIONS:
“Patty Anvil’s Devil Boobs,” in Terminus (forthcoming)
“Alien Life,” in Prairie Schooner, Spring 2005 (short story).
“The Shape of the World” in Orchid, Fall 2004 (short story).
“Man Trouble in the Nuclear Age,” in The Furnace Review, Fall 2004 (poems).
“Molokai,” in Hayden’s Ferry Review, Fall/Winter 2003 (short story).
“Confessions of a Femme Fatale,” in Crab Orchard Review, Spring/Summer 2002
(short story).
“How to Be A Player,” in Orchid, Spring 2002 (short story).
“Wyeth Exhibit, Kansas City,” in Laurel Review, Summer 2001 (short story).
“Breathing in the Millenium,” in Gulf Coast, Winter 1999. (short story).
“White Girl Whine,” in Quarterly West, Spring/Summer 1999 (poem).
“Against Birds,” in Amaranth, forthcoming (poem).
Flyover States (novel): Red Dress Ink, May 2005,
co-written under pen-name Grace Grant.
Coasting (novel): Red Dress Ink, forthcoming in 2007,
co-written under pen-name Grace Grant.
SCHOLARLY PUBLICATIONS
“Super-Sizing Bridget Jones: What’s Really Eating the Women in ‘Chick-Lit’”
forthcoming in Chick-Lit: The New Women’s Fiction (Routledge, 2005).
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Assistant Professor, University of West Georgia, 2004-present.
1102 – Literature Based Composition – 1 section.
3200 – Introduction to Creative Writing (fiction and poetry) – 3 sections.
3400 – Creative Non-Fiction Writing – 1 section.
4210/5210 – Advanced Creative Writing, Fiction – 2 sections.
2130H – Honors American Literature Survey – 1 section.
“The Search for Identity: American Experience in Black and White”
6385 – Graduate Seminar -- 1 section
“American Literature at Mid-Century”
Teaching Fellow, Indiana University, 2003.
L202 – Introduction to Literature – 3 sections
Associate Instructor, Indiana University, 1996 to 2002.
L141 – “Literature and the Violence of Representation” – 2 sections
L141 – “Cultural Constructions of Identity” – 2 sections
L142 – “Writing Disaster” – 1 section
W103 – Introductory Creative Writing (poetry and fiction) – 4 sections
W203 – Advanced Creative Writing (fiction) – 7 sections
W131 – Elementary Composition – 3 sections
W231 – Technical/Business Writing – 3 sections
J101 – “Groups” Composition Instructor – 2 sections
J101 – “Groups” Composition Tutor – 1 year/3 sections
Teaching Advisor to Incoming M.F.A. students – 1 semester
Teaching Assistant, University of Missouri, Columbia, 1994 to 1996.
English 20 – Introductory Creative Writing (fiction) – 3 sections
English 50 – Elementary Composition – 3 sections
AWARDS AND HONORS:
Lawrence Foundation Award for best story Published in Prairie Schooner,
2005.
Booth Tarkington Dissertation Fellowship in American Literature, Indiana
University, 2003.
Guy Lemmon Award for Service-Learning, Indiana University, 2003.
Edwards Fellowship for Service and Academic Excellence, English Departmental
Nominee, 2001, 2002.
Finalist, Nelson Algren award for fiction, Chicago Tribune, 2000.
Semi-Finalist, Chesterfield Film Project, 1999, 2000.
Ledig House Fellowship, Indiana University, June 1999.
Merit Award, National Society of Arts and Letters Literature Competition,
1999.
Honorable Mention, Lockridge Award for graduate fiction, Indiana University,
1998.
EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE:
Faculty Advisor, The Eclectic, University of West Georgia, 2005-6.
(University of West Georgia Arts Magazine)
Fiction Editor, Midlands, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996.
(University of Missouri Literary Magazine)
President, Harvard Lampoon, Harvard University, 1991.
(Undergraduate Humor Magazine)
Midwest Modern Language Association Conference, Paper Presented:
“Auteur-dys-Functions: Project Greenlight and the Myth of the Auteur.”
Milwaukee, WI (November 2005).
Twentieth Century Literature Conference, Panel Chair and Presenter of
Paper, “Sexual Tourism and White, Lesbian Subjectivity:
Jane Bowles’s Letters from Morocco.” Louisville, KY (February 2005).
South Atlantic Modern Language Association Conference, Paper Presented:
“Reflections in a Golden Eye: Racial Critique in Carson McCullers’s Novel.” Atlanta, GA (November 2003).
Twentieth Century Literature Conference, Panel Chair and Presenter of
Paper, “Women’s Health and Literacy: Bridging the Gap Between
University and Community.” Louisville, KY. (February 2003).
Midwest Modern Language Association Conference, Paper Presented:
“Metaphysical Intrusions into Biography,” Minneapolis, MN
(November 2002).
Twentieth Century Literature Conference, Paper Presented: “Scenes from a
Marriage: Spousal Representations and their Psychic and Symbolic
Weight in the Marriage of Jane and Paul Bowles,” Louisville, Kentucky. (February 2002).
Colloquium on Active Learning and Teaching Strategies, Panel Member,
Indiana University (March 2001).
SERVICE ACTIVITIES:
Member, Curriculum Committee, University of West Georgia, (2005-6).
Member, Non-Fiction Search Committee, University of West Georgia (2004-5).
Middleway House/The Rise: Received grant to develop literacy/health awareness program. In 1999, worked on issues of breast cancer awareness and body image, developing exercises, readings, and visuals for implementation of the series in 1999-2003. Mediated sessions on journal writing and stress-relief, body metaphors, as well as one on nutrition and healthy, inexpensive eating. Also worked individually with resident helping to prepare for community college entrance exams. Attended domestic violence workshop to increase awareness on issues. (1999-2003).
Served as Judge for Fiction Awards/Fellowships for Indiana University
Writers’ Conference (2001).
Member, Special Opportunities Committee, Indiana University (2001-2) – served on committee to increase diversity both among graduate students and
English Department faculty.
Alumni Interviewer of Perspective Undergraduates for Harvard University
(1999-2003).
Served as Judge for Undergraduate/Graduate Fiction and Poetry Contest -- the
Guy Lemmon Awards in Service Learning (1999).
REFERENCES:
Professor Linda Charnes, English Department, Indiana University
Professor John Eakin, English Department, Indiana University
Professor Susan Gubar, English Department, Indiana University
Professor Jane Hill, English Department Chair, University of West Georgia