Poet David Milley talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A former technical writer and web developer, Milley is now a multi-published writer who composes to represent reality rather than to escape it. He reflects on finding your own author voice, considers when and how to put workshop feedback to use, and emphasizes the importance of separating the artist's gaze from the subject.

David Milley’s poem, The Threading Cart, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review.

David on Instagram

David on Bluesky

David’s website

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Website: Washington Square Review

Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand

Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken

Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

Audiobook narrator Carrie Coello sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. An actor since the age of seven who pairs her love of stories with the technical skills she honed in film production, Coello walks through her narration process and what makes a good audiobook production. She offers guidance for indie authors considering converting their books to audio and shares how an aspiring narrator might break into the field.

Carrie’s linktree

Carrie’s Website: https://carriecoello.com/

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Website: Washington Square Review

Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand

Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken

Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

Punk rock musician and writer Michael "Tuna" Coley talks with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A writer who came to the page through therapeutic journaling, Coley now works in mental health admissions, where he hears all parts, not just the pretty ones, of a person's story. He reflects on existing in the space where you are, writing out the smaller moments of life, and reveals the origins of his nickname.

Michael Coley’s essay, Foreigner in a Foreign(er) Land, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Michael’s email: jdeux7934@gmail.com

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Website: Washington Square Review

Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand

Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken

Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

Lifelong poet and phenomenologist Glen Mazis chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Humanities Emeritus at Penn State Harrisburg, Mazis explores the deep connection between literature and philosophy, reflects on the Zen of living in the moment and the quiet emotions we often overlook, and considers how social media and modern life fragment our experiences and our shared humanity.

Glen Mazis’ poems, Old Sweater & Taking to Heart, appear in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Glen on Facebook

Glen’s website

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Website: Washington Square Review

Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand

Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken

Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

Writer Frank Weber sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A former labor relations manager whose time spent doing technical writing sparked an unexpected turn toward creative writing, Weber describes how, upon retirement, he felt the absence of words and recounts how he now writes and publishes across every genre. He writes for himself and rarely revises, because once a piece is done, he's done.

Frank Weber’s poem, Such a Thick Hide, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Frank’s website

Frank’s email: tfw34789@gmail

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Website: Washington Square Review

Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand

Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken

Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

Pushcart Prize nominee Jeffrey MacLachlan returns to chat with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A multi-published writer who teaches at Georgia College & State University and draws inspiration from history and personal events, MacLachlan recounts a multi-generational trip to the ruins of his ancestors in Scotland, considers what advertisements reveal about society, and muses about hot takes on Milton's Paradise Lost.

Jeffrey H. MacLachlan’s poem, Five Stones, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Jeffrey on Instagram

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Website: Washington Square Review

Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand

Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken

Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

Folklore scholar and writer Elizabeth Marley chats with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. A University of Illinois Chicago PhD student who examines folklore and ghost stories, Marley finds the bright side of bad workshop experiences and the lessons a student can carry into their own teaching one day. She laughs about being haunted by unfinished manuscripts and untangles how to tell whether an idea is destined to be a novel or a short story.

Elizabeth Marley’s story, Ataxia, appears in the Summer 2026 issue of the Washington Square Review.

Elizabeth on Instagram

Elizabeth's website

Elizabeth’s book, You Shouldn’t Worry About the Frogs

_________________________

Website: Washington Square Review

Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand

Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken

Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

Related Podcast: Off the Page: From Ink to Air

Award-winning educator and author Patty McGee sits down with Washington Square Review editor Melissa Ford Lucken. McGee, who co-wrote her insightful & upbeat grammar book — Not Your Grammy's Grammar — after several years as a frustrated elementary teacher, offers a quick and usable lesson on comma use, stresses the importance of writing feedback that is helpful rather than hurtful, and warns against the red pen effect.

Patty's website

Patty on Instagram

Patty on Linkedin

Patty’s book, Not Your Granny’s Grammar

_________________________

Website: Washington Square Review

Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand

Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken

Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken