Writer-in-Residence
Calvin Hennick is the current Writer-in-Residence
See Calvin’s recommended reads.
Hallie Ephron was the Library’s second Writer-in-Residence, beginning in 2023. Learn more.
Joan F. Smith was the Library’s first Writer-in-Residence.
Learn more about her time with the Library.
The Milton Public Library is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Dr. Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence.
Click here to learn more about this position and to view the application instructions. The application deadline is June 27, 2025.
The Milton Public Library Writer-in-Residence (WIR) program was established to honor and memorialize a long time Library supporter, Dr. Herbert Voigt. Serving as both a Library Trustee and a Director of the Library Foundation, Dr. Voigt championed library services and in particular the providing of a space to explore creativity.
The WIR is an aspiring or published writer who furthers the Library’s fundamental mission by using their time to create an original piece of work and sharing their expertise through creating and offering library programming.
Upcoming Programs
Have ideas or suggestions for programming? Reach out to Regan Mulcahy at rmulcahy@milton.ocln.org
Writing Workshop [Fiction and Nonfiction] Series
Mondays, April 28 | May 19 | June 2 | June 16 | June 30 at 7 PM
In this five-week workshop, participants will have the opportunity to bring in 15 to 20 pages of prose for critique by their peers and Writer-in-Residence Calvin Hennick. Pages can be from an essay, short story, novel, or memoir.
Before signing up, participants are asked to make sure they will miss no more than one session, and that they will have time to read their peers’ work between classes.
Registration (required) opens on April 7 at the MPL Events calendar.
College Essay Writing Workshop Series
Tuesday, August 12 | Wednesday, August 27 | Wednesday, September 10 at 6.30 PM
For high schoolers applying to college, the application essay is often the most stressful part of the process.
In this three-session workshop, led by Writer-in-Residence Calvin Hennick, students will learn what admissions officers are looking for, brainstorm ideas, write a draft, receive feedback, and revise.
During the first session on Tuesday, August 12, Calvin will be joined by author Grace Talusan, a professor at Brown University and former admissions essay consultant. Then, in the remaining sessions, on Wednesday, August 27 and Wednesday, September 10, Calvin will work with students to develop their ideas and polish their essays.
Writer-in-Residence Closing Ceremony
Thursday, September 18 at 6.30 PM
Join us to celebrate the culmination of a year of writing workshops and events.
As Calvin Hennick wraps up his time as Writer-in-Residence, we invite you to hear students read selections from the essays and stories they have produced over the past year. Calvin also will read from his novel-in-progress.
Registration is not required for the program.
Milton Public Library begins search for 2025-2026 Dr. Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence
The Milton Public Library is excited to announce the search is underway for the 2025-2026 Dr. Herbert Voigt Writer-in-Residence. This position provides the opportunity for a local writer to become more involved with the Library and within the community. The Trustees of the Milton Public Library will be sponsoring this one year position.
The Writer-in-Residence will be an aspiring or published writer, residing in Milton, who furthers the Library’s fundamental mission through the creation of an original piece of work and sharing their expertise through developing and offering library programming. The candidate search will take place over the coming weeks, with an application deadline of June 27, 2025, and the position will run from September 2025 through August 2026.
The position is named in honor of former Library Trustee Herbert Voigt. Dr. Voigt was a member of the Library Board of Trustees from 2012 until his passing in 2018. Dr. Voigt championed library services and the providing of space to explore creativity.
For more information about requirements and expectations, to find an application, and to meet the current Writer-In-Residence Calvin Hennick, along with previous Writers-in-Residence, please visit: https://miltonlibrary.org/about/writer-in-residence/
The Milton Public Library is excited to announce that local writer Calvin Hennick has been selected as the 2024-2025 Dr. Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence.
Calvin Hennick has spent the past two and a half decades writing fiction, creative nonfiction, newspaper articles, white papers, magazine features, corporate blog posts, travel stories, graphic novels, business case studies, and the occasional unpublished poem. His debut memoir Once More to the Rodeo received the Pushcart Press Editors’ Book Award and was named one of the Best 100 Books of the Year by Amazon. The Washington Post called the book a “must-read,” and #1 New York Times bestselling author Celeste Ng called it “hilarious and deeply moving.”
Calvin’s writing has appeared in The Boston Globe, Esquire, Runner’s World, Poets & Writers, and dozens of other publications. For the past several years, he has been making comic books with his 13-year-old artist son Nile, and together they have exhibited their work at shows including Fan Expo Boston and Rhode Island Comic Con. Previously, Calvin has taught writing at UMass Boston, Grub Street, and the New York City Public Schools. He lives in Milton with his wife and two children.
Calvin will be offering workshops and events for library patrons throughout his residency. The community had the opportunity to welcome Calvin at a “Meet The Writer-in-Residence” event at the Library on November 7th, 2024.
About the Dr. Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence Program
The Milton Public Library Writer-in-Residence is an aspiring or published writer, residing in Milton, MA who furthers the library’s fundamental mission through the creation of an original piece of work and sharing their expertise through developing and offering library programming.
The Milton Writer-in-Residence Selection Committee selects a Milton Public Library Writer-in-Residence for a one-year term.
The Writer-in-Residence will participate in the following activities:
- Completion of an original piece of work while in residence
- Provide a variety of public programs; these can be a combination of original programming and partnership with the Library on existing programs
- Provide scheduled availability to give guidance to other aspiring local writers
- Participate in promotional engagements for the Milton Public Library as related to the WIR program
Dr. Herb Voigt was a member of the Library Board of Trustees from 2012 until his passing in 2018. Dr. Voigt was a committed Library supporter, both as a Trustee and a member of the Milton Library Foundation. In addition to Dr. Voigt’s distinguished scientific and academic career, he was a lover and supporter of the arts. This Writer-in-Residence program celebrates Dr. Voigt’s commitment to libraries and to the arts.