Writer-in-Residence

The Dr. Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence Program

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.

Make a Donation to the Dr. Herb Voigt Fund

Kat Gonso has been selected as the 2026-2028 Dr. Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence

The Milton Public Library is excited to announce that local writer Kat Gonso has been selected as the 2026-2028 Dr. Herb Voigt Writer-in-Residence.

Kat will be offering workshops and events for library patrons throughout her residency, and we invite the community to welcome Kat at a “Meet The Writer-in-Residence” event at the Library on Wednesday, October 28 at 7 PM.

Kat Gonso (she/her) is an award-winning writer, educator, voracious reader, and proud Glover mom. Her short prose has been widely published and has received numerous accolades, including the Gover Flash Fiction Prize, The Southeast Review’s World’s Best Short-Short Story Contest, and inclusion in the Wigleaf Top 50 list of best very short fiction. Kat is a Professor of the Practice in English at Boston College, working with first-generation college students. She earned her M.F.A. from Emerson College, where she teaches in the graduate creative writing program as an affiliated faculty member. Previously, she taught at Northeastern University, serving as Director of First-Year Writing and Director of the Writing Center. In 2024, she received the Outstanding Teaching Award from Northeastern University’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Kat brings a collaborative, student-centered approach to her classrooms, workshops, and mentoring. She is eager to work with all members of the Milton community, from emerging readers and passionate book lovers to aspiring writers, seasoned authors, and students of all ages.

We invite you to read some of Kat’s work, including Puberty, Daniel, and Love Spell.

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- or two-year term.

The Writer-in-Residence will participate in the following activities:

1. Endeavor to complete an original piece of work while in residence.
2. Provide a variety of public programs; these can be a combination of original programming and partnership with the Library on existing programs
3. Provide scheduled availability to give guidance to other aspiring local writers
4. 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.