Professional

Caleb has a degree in English with a minor in creative writing from Emporia State University in Emporia, KS. While attending ESU he won the Kay Alden Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Writing for his short story “Car Dodging.”

Based on his writing merit, ESU funded his attendance to the Tin House Writer’s Workshop in Portland, Oregon during the summer of 2004 where he had the opportunity to study with novelist Peter Rock.

In 2007 he studied with Craig Clevenger, author of the novels The Contortionist’s Handbook and Dermaphoria, in a six week writing intensive called The Contortionist’s Hotseat.

He’s been to a couple Association of Writer’s and Writing Programs (AWP) conferences which have allowed him the opportunity to embarrass himself in front of many important people.

Caleb’s work has appeared in journals alongside Ron Carlson, H. Lee Barnes, Thomas Fox Averill, Noah Cicero, Tony O’Neill, Stephen Graham Jones, Steve Almond, Aimee Bender, David Barringer, Steven J. McDermott, and others.

Personal

Caleb began writing his sophomore year of undergrad study when, tired of the formal art education then being taught, he abandoned the pursuit in the middle of a compositional drawing class. Major-less and fearful of loosing his financial aid, he signed up to seek a degree in English Literature for no other reason than his lengthy history with the language. Coincidentally, this decision not only introduced him to writing but to reading as well. Prior this transition he had read three books. One of which he understood.

The English Literature curriculum taught him many things. One of the most practical is the use of third person when writing a short personal bio.

CV

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, English Literature Areas of focus: Contemporary American literature, American short story

Minor: Creative Writing Areas of focus: Fiction, postmodernism, metafiction

The Contortionist’s Hotseat A six-week writing intensive taught by Craig Clevenger, author of the novels The Contortionist’s Handbook and Dermaphoria. (2007)

Honors/Awards:

ABNA Semifinalist Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Semifinalist, top 100 out of 5,000 (2008)

Author Residency: Tin House Writers Workshop, Reed College, Portland, Oregon. (9 July - 18 July, 2004)

Kay Alden Creative Writing Memorial Scholarship (2003)

Past Professional Service:

Contributor, Thirdeye magazine, book reviewer (2007-Present)

Contributor, Depraved Press, book reviewer (2007-Present)

Editor, Flint Hills Review national literary journal (2004-2005)

Editor, Quivira student literary journal (2002-2005)

Judge, Kansas Writers Association Novel Competition

Reader, The Bluestem National Poetry Award

Community Participation:

Attendee, AWP Conference, New York, NY (28 January- 2 February, 2008)

Attendee, Flint Hills Review representative, AWP Conference, Austin, TX (8 March- 11 March, 2006)

Attendee, Association of Writers and Writing Projects (AWP) Conference, Chicago, IL (24 March- 24 March, 2004)