Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction Program welcomes authors Juliet Blackwell, Rachel Herron and Sophie Littlefield who will participate in a panel discussion on Tuesday, January 10, at 7 p.m. in Cecilian Hall on Seton Hill University’s hilltop campus in Greensburg, Pa. For more information, call 724-830-4600. The event is open to the public and there is no fee to attend.

Blackwell who hails from Oakland, Calif., earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California Santa Cruz in Latin American studies. She continued her graduate work at the State University of New York and obtained a Master of Science degree in both anthropology and social welfare. Blackwell has published several non-fiction articles on immigration. This world traveler who has lived in Mexico, Spain, Italy, Philippines and France enjoys writing mysteries about witchcraft and haunted homes. Her most recent novel, “Deadbolt,” just earned a spot on the New York Times Best Seller’s List.

Herron, who received her Master of Fine Arts degree in English and creative writing from Mills College, also resides in Oakland, Calif. She specializes in non-fiction and women’s fiction and both focus on knitting as a theme. Herron’s most recent publication is “Wishes and Stitches.” She also published “How to Knit a Love Song,” “How to Knit a Heart Back Home” and “A Life in Stitches,” which is her memoir. All Herron’s books are available through Chronicle Books.

Littlefield, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from a large Midwestern university, transitioned to writing when she moved to northern California in 1998. The genres of writing in which Littlefield specializes include crime novels, young adult fantasy and dystopian fiction. She sold her first novel in 2008 and to date has published 10 novels.

“We’re very excited to have these three authors share their experiences in the publishing industry and to help our students better understand the craft of writing,” said Lee McClain, Ph.D., interim director, Writing Popular Fiction Program.

Seton Hill’s unique Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction Program teaches students to write marketable novels in popular genres like mystery, romance, science fiction, horror and fantasy. Additional specialties include literature for children and adolescents, and cross-genre blends like romantic suspense or young adult mysteries. Students attend two weeklong, on-campus residencies each year to master the core elements of fiction writing and effective marketing and to gain inspiration from faculty mentors and special guests, all published authors in genre fiction. Established authors mentor students one-on-one as they work toward completing a market-ready manuscript from home. Readings, classes and online discussion about the history, trends and techniques of genre fiction add depth to the student's experience. For more information about the Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction Program at Seton Hill, click here or contact Seton Hill’s Office of Graduate and Adult Studies at 724-838-4209.