Rebecca Cuthbert, M.F.A.

M.F.A., West Virginia University

rebeccacuthbert.com

Bio: Rebecca Cuthbert is the author of IN MEMORY OF EXOSKELETONS, a dark poetry collection published by Alien Buddha Press (2023). Forthcoming publications include the hybrid collection SELF-MADE MONSTERS (Alien Buddha Press, 2024); the sonnet "No Rest Nor Relief For You With Me Dead" (SHAKESPEARE UNLEASHED, Monstrous Books and Crystal Lake Publishing); the story "The Quilting Circle of Bygone Gardens (SOUL SCREAM, Seamus & Nunzio Productions); and "In Crowd" (THE START, Rebellion Lit), among others. For additional publications and more, visit rebeccacuthbert.com.

Teaching Interests

There’s a harmful myth that exists among young writers—that those who are “good” at writing come by that talent naturally; they are “gifted,” and that’s that, no changing it. And if you’re not “good” at writing, that’s that, too—you can’t make yourself into a good writer. Those lies keep writers with natural talent from becoming excellent; they keep enthusiastic novices from becoming skilled practitioners. The world of writing isn’t invitation only, it’s general admission. In class, we work through the writing process—reading to prewriting to drafting to redrafting to workshopping to revising to editing to proofreading—and all along the way, they can see their creations coming to life, like gorgeous little Frankenstein’s monsters.

Research Interests

I find the Feminine Grotesque fascinating, and narratives of the body (especially the "grotesque" body) pull me in again and again. Related to that, I write, read, and study Feminist Horror and quiet horror--what consumes us in public and private moments. The Uncanny is another area of interest, as well as the living history of places and how people scar the land, how those crimes echo from the past into the present.

Awards and Honors

  • Artist of the Month May 2023, Alien Buddha Press (2023).
  • We're Here: Best Queer Speculative Fiction 2022 anthology, Neon Hemlock Press (2023).
  • SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching, SUNY system (2023).
  • 2023 Pushcart Prize nomination for poem "Still Love", Nocturne Horror Literary Magazine (2022).
  • Story of the Week for nonfiction piece "Emissaries", 50-Word Stories (2022).
  • Story of the Week for micro fiction story "Not Yet", 50-Word Stories (2022).
  • Onyx Publications Winter Contest 2021 - Honorable Mention for "A Bargain at Twice the Price", Onyx Publications (2022).
  • 51st New Millennial Writing Awards Finalist Award for "Joiner", New Millennial Writings Magazine (2021).

Professional Membership

  • Horror Writers Association - New York Chapter
  • Horror Writers Association
  • Horror Writers Association

Media Contributions

  • "SHAKESPEARE UNLEASHED anthology by Monstrous Books and Crystal Lake Publishing" (2023).
  • "Alien Buddha Zine #50" (2023).
  • "THE START Anthology by RebellionLit Publishing" (2023).
  • "Hungry Shadow Press - Deadly Drabble Tuesdays" (2023).
  • "CREEPY Podcast" (2023).
  • "WE'RE HERE: Best Queer Speculative Fiction 2022 from Neon Hemlock Press" (2023).
  • "IN MEMORY OF EXOSKELETONS (a poetry collection published by Alien Buddha Press" (2023).
  • "SOUL SCREAM Antholozine by Seamus & Nunzio Productions" (2023).
  • "Diet Milk Magazine's IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER Gothic Advent Calendar" (2022).
  • "Nocturne Horror Literary Magazine" (2022).
  • "Hearth & Coffin Literary Magazine (Vol. 2 (Issue 3)" (2022).
  • "HAUS: An Anthology of Haunted House Stories by Culture Cult Press" (2022).
  • "Black Hare Press's Halloween Drabble Anthology NOM NOM" (2022).

Performances/Exhibits

  • "IN MEMORY OF EXOSKELETONS," Horror Writers Association, StokerCon 2023 (N/A).
  • "IN MEMORY OF EXOSKELETONS," Fredonia Literary Festival, 2023, Williams Center, SUNY Fredonia (N/A).
  • "IN MEMORY OF EXOSKELETONS," Board of Directors, Darwin Barker Library, Darwin Barker Library (N/A).
  • "The Social Commentary of SEASON OF THE WITCH," , TheNecrinomi.com Podcast: Horror as Social Commentary with hosts James Sabata and Don Guillory (N/A).
  • "IN MEMORY OF EXOSKELETONS," Writers Association of Northern Appalachia, YouTube (N/A).

Presentations

  • "Still Spooky: Modernizing Gothic Tropes," Defunkt Magazine Genre Fest 2023 (2023).
  • "The Gothic: History, Features, and How It Haunts Us Still," Writers' Ring student organization meeting (2022).