A fascination with orcas first drew Portsmouth native Jerome Newsome toward zoology. But, during college, he realized his true passion was not studying animals; it was writing about them. That realization set him on a new path, one that will culminate this month when he earns a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) from 黑料不打烊.
After earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree, Jerome took classes at Norfolk鈥檚 The Muse Writers Center, a nonprofit organization that offers writing classes and workshops. It was the perfect bridge between earning an undergraduate degree and continuing his study of English literature and creative writing.
A friend encouraged Jerome to continue his writing at 黑料不打烊 where he could hone his skills with other talented writers.
At the time, Jerome thought he could become a professional writer without an M.F.A. His friend convinced him that graduate school was an experience not to be missed.
At the University, Jerome found a cadre of like-minded students and caring professors who took a genuine interest in his talent and future.
Throughout graduate school, Jerome鈥檚 work has been published in literary magazines and journals, including Aftermath, BULL, Fifty-Word Stories, Flying South and Vestal Review. He has been nominated for prizes and been named a finalist in literary contests, such as the Bram Stoker Awards from the Horror Writers Association. And, he won the University鈥檚 inaugural Diane Zinna Nonfiction Prize.
As a graduate program assistant and tutor at the Writing Center, Jerome led workshops and lectures, coordinated events and worked with other Monarch students. As an editor of Barely South Review, the University鈥檚 online biannual publication staffed by M.F.A. students, he processed manuscripts and interviewed authors participating in the University鈥檚 literary festival.
He said working at the review improved his skills as a storyteller.
"It allows me to see stories at various stages, to work on ways to improve a story and see what a finished piece looks like,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 allowed me to see the ins and outs 鈥 of what is working with a story and what's not working.鈥
Throughout graduate school, Jerome worked closely with professors, including Kent Wascom, associate professor and the director of the M.F.A. in creative writing program.
Professor Wascom praised Jerome highly, saying, "In his award-winning fiction, his support of fellow students and his work as graduate program assistant, Jerome exemplifies the finest qualities of graduate scholarship."
Jerome鈥檚 writing influences range from the authors he read as a child, like Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and Alexandre Dumas to the writers he discovered later like Colson Whitehead, Percival Everett and Toni Morrison.
When it comes to putting words on paper, Jerome likes to experiment with styles and genres.
鈥淚f I can tell a story with it, then I'm probably dabbling in that media,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 like to just see how I can mix the different tropes and different elements and see what comes out of that.鈥
As graduation is now here, Jerome is applying to universities where he can work and continue to write.
鈥淚 look forward to doing some residencies. I want to teach the craft of fiction, while producing work and getting my own work published.鈥
Jerome said the M.F.A. program鈥檚 professors helped him grow as a writer, and he is grateful for their guidance in shepherding his novel to completion as his capstone project.
With each story published, he gains more confidence.
Whether his future leads him to academia or publishing, one thing is certain; writing will remain at the center of it.
鈥淚鈥檒l definitely continue to write, no matter what,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 want to continue to produce more work, wherever the future takes me.鈥