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In June 2022, the ������Ƶ University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction Program welcomed visiting professor, Kosoko Jackson. Kosoko is the author of several YA novels in romance and fantasy, such as “Yesterday is History” and “Survive the Dome,” and the adult romance book “I’m So (Not) Over You.”

Kosoko additionally was the guest lecturer in June, and did a public speaking event at the Performing Arts Center in Greensburg where he discussed the realities of publishing. With a focus on Black queer stories, Kosoko’s work has proven to be an important example of how strongly Own Voices stories resonate with readers.

"It's so important for students to hear from all sorts of different voices, as part of their studies,” said Nicole Peeler, Ph.D., Director of Writing Popular Fiction. “It's also important that our faculty reflect the diversity of our student population. So we were delighted to bring in Kosoko, who writes in multiple genres, from such rich perspectives."

"It's so important for students to hear from all sorts of different voices, as part of their studies.” 

Kosoko’s author bio mentions he is “a vocal champion of diversity in YA literature,” which comes across in his books and also in his work as a sensitivity reader for the Big Five Publishers. Writing Popular Fiction is excited to continue working with Kosoko as visiting professor. He will be with the program until June 2023, and he has already taken on several mentees.

When asked about her hope for future visiting professors, Nicole Peeler said she hopes to continue adding to their roster for the program, and “to keep offering our students the chance to interact with faculty writers at the cutting edge of publishing."

To learn more about Kosoko, visit his website at .