Neil Connelly
Encyclopedia
Neil O'Boyle Connelly was born in Pennsylvania, where he currently lives. He is the author of the novels Saint Michael's Scales, which was a finalist for the 2002 Borders Original Voices series and Buddy Cooper Finds a Way. He was a professor of English and the Director of Creative Writing at McNeese State University
, his own Alma Mater, in one of the longest running MFA writing programs in the United States
. Connelly studied under founder of the McNeese MFA program, John Wood, then later under Pulitzer Prize
winner, Robert Olen Butler
. Connelly is currently an assistant professor of English at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.
His story "The Adventures of Ultimate Man" was published in River City and subsequently nominated for a Pushcart Prize
. In 2006, Oxford American
included him in a list of prominent novelists of the Southern United States
.
His third novel, The Miracle Stealer, was published in fall of 2010 by Scholastic. Kirkus Reviews
called the book "A thought-provoking examination of the power of faith and the human desire for a savior."
in the McNeese State University MFA program in writing.
McNeese State University
McNeese State University is a public university located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in the United States. Founded in 1939 as a junior college, McNeese experienced growth due to economic activity in the region. It adopted its present name in 1970....
, his own Alma Mater, in one of the longest running MFA writing programs in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Connelly studied under founder of the McNeese MFA program, John Wood, then later under Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winner, Robert Olen Butler
Robert Olen Butler
Robert Olen Butler is an American fiction writer. His short-story collection A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1993.-Early life:...
. Connelly is currently an assistant professor of English at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.
His story "The Adventures of Ultimate Man" was published in River City and subsequently nominated for a Pushcart Prize
Pushcart Prize
The Pushcart Prize is an American literary prize by Pushcart Press that honors the best "poetry, short fiction, essays or literary whatnot" published in the small presses over the previous year. Magazine and small book press editors are invited to nominate up to 6 works they have featured....
. In 2006, Oxford American
Oxford American
The Oxford American is an American quarterly literary magazine "dedicated to featuring the very best in Southern writing while documenting the complexity and vitality of the American South."-First publication:...
included him in a list of prominent novelists of the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
.
His third novel, The Miracle Stealer, was published in fall of 2010 by Scholastic. Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus . Kirkus serves the book and literary trade sector, including libraries, publishers, literary and film agents, film and TV producers and booksellers. Kirkus Reviews is published on the first and 15th of each month...
called the book "A thought-provoking examination of the power of faith and the human desire for a savior."
Trivia
Connelly was a classmate of fellow writer Adam JohnsonAdam Johnson (writer)
Adam Johnson is an American novelist and short story writer.-Biography:Johnson was born in South Dakota and raised in Arizona...
in the McNeese State University MFA program in writing.