Uniontown Natives Celebrate Launch of New Book “Many Genres, One Craft”
Jason and Heidi Miller, of Uniontown, Pa., are pleased to announce the launch of their latest writing endeavor, “Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction,” a writing guide featuring contributions from Ƶ University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction Program faculty and alumni. Heidi is the co-editor and Jason is a contributor of “ “Many Genres, One Craft.”
Both published authors, Heidi and Jason earned their Master of Arts degrees in Writing Popular Fiction from Ƶ University in 2007. The Millers are also adjunct faculty members in the Writing Popular Fiction program at the University.
In 2006, Jason and Heidi co-authored an outdoor travel guide, “MOON Pennsylvania Camping,” which awarded them membership in The Authors Guild and jumpstarted their freelance writing careers.
Heidi Ruby Miller’s fiction, non-fiction and poetry can be found in print and online. In May 2011, she published her first novel, “Ambasadora,” which was her thesis for the Ƶ Writing Popular Fiction program. Prior to her writing career, Heidi taught foreign languages, was a contract archaeologist and served as the educational marketing director for Frank Lloyd Wright’s House on Kentuck Knob. She is a graduate of Uniontown High School and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in anthropology and geography with specialties in Spanish and tourism from California University of Pennsylvania.
Jason Jack Miller is a writer, photographer and musician. In April 2011, he published his first novel, “The Devil and Preston Black.” In addition to his creative work, Jason is a ninth grade earth and space science teacher at Uniontown High School. Jason is a graduate of Tri Valley High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from California University of Pennsylvania.
“Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction” is an anthology of more than 60 instructional articles for fiction writers seeking advice on how to improve their writing and navigate the mass market for genre novels. The collection of articles is divided into three parts, craft, genre and the writer’s life. Each of the 60 contributors of “Many Genres, One Craft” is a faculty member, visiting author or published graduate from the Ƶ University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction Program.
Contributors to “Many Genres, One Craft” include Michael Arnzen, Rebecca Baker, Shelley Bates, Michael Bracken, Gary A. Braunbeck, Jennifer Brisendine, Crystal B. Bright, Sally Bosco, Christopher Paul Carey, Ginger Clark, Lawrence C. Connolly, David J. Corwell, Susan Crandall, Kaye Dacus, Penny Dawn, John DeChancie, C. Coco DeYoung, Matt Duvall, Natalie Duvall, Ron Edison, Elaine Ervin, Timons Esaias, Tess Gerritsen, Venessa Giunta, Leslie Davis Guccione, Anne Harris, W.H. Horner, Lee Allen Howard, KJ Howe, Russ Howe, Scott A. Johnson, Nancy Kress, Chun Lee, Patrice Lyle, Susan Mallery, Dana Marton, Lee McClain, Mike Mehalek, Sharon Mignerey, Barbara J. Miller, Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Jack Miller, M.A. Mogus, Thomas F. Monteleone, David Morrell, Catherine Mulvany, Nicole Peeler, Adrea L. Peters, Patrick Picciarelli, Steven Piziks, Rachael Pruitt, Lynn Salsi, Mary SanGiovanni, David Shifren, Randall Silvis, Lucy A. Snyder, Maria V. Snyder, Victoria Thompson, Diane Turnshek, Tim Waggoner, Albert Wendland, Teffanie Thompson White, Karen Lynn Williams, Ryan M. Williams and K. Ceres Wright.
Ƶ’s unique Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction program teaches students to write marketable novels in popular genres like mystery, romance, science fiction, horror and fantasy. Additional specialties include literature for children and adolescents, and cross-genre blends like romantic suspense or young adult mysteries. Students attend two weeklong, on-campus residencies each year to master the core elements of fiction writing and effective marketing and to gain inspiration from faculty mentors and special guests, all published authors in genre fiction. Established authors mentor students one-on-one as they work toward completing a market-ready manuscript from home. Readings, classes and online discussion about the history, trends and techniques of genre fiction add depth to the student's experience. For more information about the Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction program at Ƶ, click here or contact Ƶ’s Office of Graduate and Adult Studies at 724-838-4209.