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Michael Arnzen

Michael Arnzen
Professor of English and Director of the Writing Popular Fiction Program
English, English - Creative Writing, Writing Popular Fiction (MFA)

Michael Arnzen (Ph.D., U Oregon) is an English professor by day and a horror/suspense writer by night. He holds four Bram Stoker Awards for his often funny, always disturbing fiction. His courses in the English program at Seton Hill run the gamut from expository and creative writing to literary criticism and film history. He has mentored novelists and led graduate writing workshops in SHU's unique MFA program in Writing Popular Fiction since 1999 -- and is currently serving as Assistant Director of the program. Cinema studies and horror genre criticism dominate his scholarly output, in addition to his award-winning poetry and fiction writing. Dr. Arnzen also served as Humanities Division Chair from 2009-2015. In addition to his work on myriad committees across the institution, Arnzen most prominently advised the staff of the campus literary/art magazine, Eye Contact, for over 18 years, and continues to support students who seek to publish their creative ideas in diverse media and popular culture.

If you have any questions about English or Writing Popular Fiction, feel free to email arnzen@setonhill.edu

Education

  • Ph.D. in English, University of Oregon (Eugene, OR), 1999

  • M.A. in English, University of Idaho (Moscow, ID), 1994

  • B.A. in English, Colorado State University-Pueblo (Pueblo, CO), 1991

Publications

  • Murrmann: A Tale of Van Helsing (Mastication Pubs, 2016).

  • Proverbs for Monsters (fiction collection). Dark Regions Press, 2007/2017.

  • Play Dead (novel), RDS Press, 2005/2013.

  • Instigation: Creative Prompts on the Dark Side, Mastication Pubs, 2013.

  • The Gorelets Omnibus: Collected Poems, 2001-2011, RDS Press, 2012.

  • Pedablogue: A Personal Inquiry into the Scholarship of Teaching (weblog), 2003-2012.

  • Many Genres, One Craft: Lessons in Writing Popular Fiction (instructional book). Co-edited with Heidi Ruby Miller. Headline Books, 2011.

  • "The Unlearning: Horror and Transformative Theory" (pedagogy), Jnl of Transformative Works and Cultures (2008)

  • Grave Markings (novel) Dell Books, 1994; Delirium Books, 2004; RDS Press 2014.

  • 100 Jolts (fiction collection), RDS Press, 2004

  • Freakcidents (poetry collection), Shocklines Press, 2005.

  • Gorelets: Unpleasant Poems (poetry collection), Fairwood Press, 2003

Awards

  • Seton Hill University Professor of the Year, 2010-11

  • Bram Stoker Award for Fiction Collection (Proverbs for Monsters), 2007

  • Bram Stoker Award for Poetry Collection (Freakcidents), 2005

  • "Openness" Award, Stars at Seton Hill University Staff Recognition Awards (2004)

  • Bram Stoker Award for Alternative Forms (The Goreletter), 2003.

  • Bram Stoker Award for First Novel (Grave Markings), 1994.

  • International Horror Critics Guild Award for First Novel (Grave Markings), 1994

Organizations

  • Horror Writers Association (1989-Present) - Co-Organizer, Pittsburgh Chapter (2020-23)

  • Association of Writers and Writing Programs (2015-Present)

  • International Thriller Writers (2009-Present)

  • Science Fiction Poetry Association (1989-Present; Secretary/Treasurer: 1993)

  • International Association of the Fantastic in the Arts (1994-Present)

  • Pennwriters (2010-12).

  • Textbook and Academic Authors Association (2007-8)

  • Modern Language Association (1994-2000)

Presentations

  • Lecture, "The Transformation Scene." Southwest Writers (2023).

  • Guest Workshops, "Horror University." StokerCon (2016-2024).

  • "Even Stranger Notions" Writing in the Dark online symposium (2020).

  • Guest Presentation, "The Uncanny Valley." Neumann University, Aston, PA (2015).

  • Guest Presentation, "Subversive Readings: Story Shadows." State College of Florida, Venice, FL (2015).

  • Guest Lecturer. "Nightsun Writer's Conference." Frostburg State University, MD. (2015).

  • Featured Guest, "HorrorFest Writer's Workshop." North Virginia Community College. Manassas, WV. (2013).

  • Guest Presentation, "The Popular Uncanny." Neumann University, Aston, PA (2012).

  • Guest Speaker, "Creative Writing and Media." Louisiana Conference on Literature, Language and Culture at Univ of Louisiana, Lafayette, LA (2012).

  • Respondent: "Horror Pedagogy." International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts. 27, Orlando, FL (2012).

  • Guest Lecturer, Odyssey: The Fantasy Writing Workshop. St. Anselm College, NH (2010, 2007).

  • Guest Lecturer, Alpha: The SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers. Univ of Pitt-Greensburg, PA (2010, 2009, 2002).

  • Guest Lecture, "Tales from the Abyss." Sewickley Prep Academy, PA (2006, 2004, 2003)

  • Respondent: "New Directions in Horror." International Conference for the Fantastic in the Arts. 27, FL (2006).

  • Guest Lecture, "Horror Writing." Manatee Community College, Sarasota, FL (2007).

  • Guest Lecture, "Horror and Fantasy Fiction." Ligonier Valley Writers Workshop, PA (2005).

  • Guest Lecture, "Flash Fiction." Morgantown Writer's Workshop, WV (2004).

  • Guest Lecture, "David Cronenberg." Tufts University Guest Lecture Series, MA (2000).

  • Moderator, "World's Largest Writer's Workshop." Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Greensburg, PA (2001).

Achievements

  • Caritas Medal - 20 Years of Faculty Service to SHU (2019)

  • Editorial Board, Paradoxa: Studies in World Literary Genres (1998-Present)

  • Editorial Board, Dissections: The Journal of Contemporary Horror (2006-Present)

  • Advisor, Eye Contact: The Art/Literary Magazine of SHU (1999-2009; 2016-2024)