February 3, 2020

Title: Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of English and Philosophy
Degree: PhD in English, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; MFA in Fiction, University of Mississippi
Hometown: Carmel, Indiana

Maegan Poland, PhD, teaches creative writing through Drexel Storylab and composition in the First-Year Writing Program. Her writing has appeared in journals such as Mississippi Review, Pleiades and Beloit Fiction Journal, and has been awarded a Special Mention in the Pushcart Prize anthology, a Tin House scholarship and a grant from the Elizabeth George Foundation. She has served as Fiction Editor for Witness magazine, and as Managing Editor for Yalobusha Review.

What book, movie, show or podcast would you recommend?
I recently finished “Unbelievable” on Netflix, which is hard to watch, but extremely well done if one feels comfortable watching the traumatic subject matter. A movie that swept me away was “La Grande Bellezza” (“The Great Beauty”) by Paolo Sorrentino. My favorite podcast is Invisibilia, which I listened to when moving to Philadelphia from Las Vegas.

What is your favorite food or restaurant?
It depends on the season, but right now, I would say that my favorite food is any variation of a seafood stew, like cioppino or bouillabaisse or moqueca.

When is the last time you did something “for the first time”? What was it?
The other day, I ate a whelk for the first time and immediately regretted it. Still do. Google “whelk egg case.”

What have you been working on recently?
I’ve been working on a novel that deals with the effects of technological advances on human consciousness.

What/who inspires you?
Writing that contains its own rhythmic logic inspires me. My friends and family inspire me in various ways. I try to surround myself with people and texts that feed my curiosity and my desire to create. Toni Morrison’s work will always be a good choice.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Even though I’m not that kind of doctor, I do wish I had the ability to heal people.

What is your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
I’m still discovering Philadelphia. So far, I love how each neighborhood seems to have its own strong sense of community. I also appreciate the access to museums, cultural events, and unique restaurants.